2016 ICC World Twenty20 semis: New Zealand and India fancied to make final
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | March 29, 2016
The 2016 ICC World Twenty20 has reached the semis, and tournament hosts India remain Coral’s favourites to lift the trophy at 5/4. Fellow group winners New Zealand are next at 10/3, with final four foes England still hanging in there at 7/2 and Indian semi opposition the West Indies are 5/1 outsiders.
The prospect of heavy hitters Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle going head-to-head in respective innings at the crease is mouthwatering, while the Black Caps appear to have been galvanised despite the retirement of skipper Brendon McCullum and that makes them dangerous to Trevor Bayliss’ team.
It is England’s T20 International with New Zealand that comes first ahead of India’s encounter with the Windies. Check out our recommended bets for both semis below…
New Zealand v England
- ICC World Twenty20 semi-final
- Wednesday, March 30th
- Play starts: 14:30 BST
- Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
- Live on Sky Sports 2
Black Caps bowling may blow Bayliss hopes
While England are evens to make the World Twenty20 final, it’s New Zealand who are worthy narrow 4/5 favourites to advance instead because of the brilliant bowling of duo Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, not to mention Martin Guptil’s exploits with the bat.
Slow left-armer Santner has the best figures of any active bowler in the competition, having taken nine wickets at an economy of 5.73. Fellow spinner Sodhi is close behind, however, with eight victims while giving away less than five runs per over so far.
Santner and Indian-born Sodhi thus lead the best New Zealand bowler market at 11/4 and 3/1 respectively. Hedging your bets and having some money on both appears the wisest course, as they are a dual threat to Bayliss’ boys.
Guptil has got what it takes
Black Caps opening batsman Guptil has averaged more than 40 runs per outing at the World T20 and that stands them in very good stead here. He is the key man England need to get out early on.
Featuring in just three games at this tournament so far, gallant Guptil’s runs tally of 125 includes an incredible knock of 80 off 48 balls that eliminated Pakistan.
Having also been top scorer against the Black Caps’ neighbours Australia, Guptil is the subject of an awesome 11/2 wincast to be best at the crease for his country again and New Zealand to eliminate England.
Root and Buttler have to be at their best
If Bayliss’ team are to have any chance, then their top order cannot make mistakes. Of all active batsmen remaining in the World Twenty20, only Kohli has put more runs on the board than Joe Root.
Like Guptil, Root’s average is over 40 and the Yorkshireman starts as 11/4 favourite to be best for England at the crease here. Supplemented by the exploits of wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, a tempting 11/2 in the same market, the pair need to perform as opening partnership pair Alex Hales and Jason Roy lack their consistency.
That is reflected in the latter duo’s averages, which are way down on what Buttler and Root have produced in India.
Wily Willey one for Black Caps to watch
Speaking of a lack of consistency, Bayliss could do with more from his bowling contingency. Pace merchant Chris Jordan and spinner Moeen Ali just cannot string performances with the ball together, and it is frustrating.
In T20 cricket, England need a regular threat, especially at the business end of a tournament like this, and David Willey provides the closest thing to that available.
With six wickets to his name so far, but an expensive economy over eight runs per over, Willey is the best bet from among the bowlers at 7/2 to be top dog.
West Indies v India
- ICC World Twenty20 semi-final
- Thursday, March 31st
- Play starts: 14:30 BST
- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Live on Sky Sports 2
Gayle v Kohli a colossal clash
Which brilliant batsman will inspire his international side to victory and a place in the World Twenty20 final? The odds say it will be Kohli and India, with an enhanced 4/1 wincast (max stake €/£20) making for real value off the back of an incredible 92-run average.
Kohli has two unbeaten scores in this tournament to date, while West Indies counterpart Gayle made headlines with that not out ton against England in their group opener. The Windies are 2/1 outsiders, but the 9/4 on offer for Gayle to be their best batsman again is the appealing bet.
With home support behind them, India are firm odds-on 2/5 favourites to grace the final, but must beware the spin of Samuel Badree and the damage all-rounder Andre Russell could do to them.
Badree a bowler to rely on
Trinidad native Badree has twice taken three-wicket hauls during the tournament so far, including against former World T20 champions Sri Lanka. Subcontinental sides hold no fear for him, then, and Badree is a terrific 3/1 to be best West Indies bowler again.
He comes recommended ahead of fellow right-hander Russell (7/2) and Dwayne Bravo (also 3/1) because Badree boasts a far better economy when given the ball.
As for the Indian attack, it remains a relatively even spread that makes definitive tipping tough. Ashish Nehra (3/1) and Ravindra Jadeja (4/1) have been far more frugal with the ball than the lauded Ravichandran Ashwin (5/2), so hedging your bets may be sensible here.
Related
Our cricket archive is where you’ll find comprehensive betting coverage of the World T20.
Coral’s top tip: Kohli has an entire nation behind him, so take that fantastic 4/1 wincast on him being best batsman and India eliminating the Windies.
