Cricket World Cup Betting Tips: India, New Zealand Odds

Australia were rocked by their defeat to India and now face a tough challenge in their next outing against South Africa, who themselves put forward a brilliant effort to beat Sri Lanka. 

New Zealand are two for two so far in their campaign after beating England and Netherlands and they will be looking to continue their 100 per cent record against Bangladesh.

We've outlined our tips for the next three matches at the Cricket World Cup below.

Kohli to dominate again? 

Virat Kohli produced a match-winning performance for India against Australia. Kohli did come into the tournament under the weight of expectations to deliver for an expectant fanbase and he produced his best to get his team off to a winning start. 

The host nation were rocking in their chase of 200 after being reduced to 2-3 amid fine bowling from Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc with the new ball. Hazlewood thought he had the key wicket of Kohli for 12, but Mitchell Marsh failed to cling on to a diving catch.  

Kohli and Lokesh Rahul turned the screw and shared a stand worth 164 to whittle down the Aussie total. Kohli looked in imperious form and will look to continue this against Afghanistan. He scored 67 in his only game against Afghanistan in the 2019 World Cup. 

The 34-year-old also has an impressive record at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, averaging 44.40 from his six innings, including a top score of 112 not out made against England in 2011.  You'll get odds of 13/5 with bet365 for Kohli to top score for India in this one. 

South Africa to beat Australia 

Australia had a game to forget against India in their opener and now need to bounce back quickly against South Africa. If Pat Cummins’ team lose a second game in a row, their World Cup hopes will be in serious doubt.

The Proteas had the measure of Australia in the final three games of their five-match series in September. They scored 300 in each of their victories, including a mammoth total of 416 in the fourth one-day international.  

Temba Bavuma’s side breached the 400-run mark again in their World Cup opener against Sri Lanka in a 102-run win. 

Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Aidan Markram all scored centuries, while Heinrich Klaassen and David Miller were dangerous down the order. 

Australia’s bowlers will have their hands full with one of the most potent batting units in the competition. We like the odds of 6/5 for South Africa to win the contest with SpreadEx.  

And, given the runs that have been scored in the games between the two sides and the World Cup so far, we’re also going to back a century to be scored in the match at 4/5 with Unibet. 

Santner to remain on form 

Mitchell Santner has had an excellent start to the World Cup. He followed an accomplished performance against England with a five-wicket haul against Netherlands. After two matches, the left-arm spinner already has seven wickets to his name. 

Santner is using conditions to his advantage, bowling a tight line and length that has allowed the Black Caps to control the middle overs and putting the clamps on their opponents. 

Santner has taken 14 wickets in 12 matches against Bangladesh at an average of 33.42.  

Given his form and confidence, we're backing odds of 7/10 with Unibet for him to take over 1.5 wickets in the game. 

Bangladesh struggled against England for timing in the middle overs and they will likely need a large total to compete with New Zealand’s red-hot batting unit.  

As such, there should be plenty of chances for Santner to flourish.  

Simon Sinclair is an experienced sports journalist, who has written for national publications for football, cricket, NFL and many more. He contributes tips on a wide range of sports for The Independent.