Cricket World Cup Betting: Australia v Canada

Australia are the only unbeaten team in the tournament so far and that's unlikely to change when they go up against Canada. We will have to look elsewhere for good wagers and Michael Clarke may be the man to provide us with one.

Team news

Australia begin a schedule of three games in a week so it would be sensible for them to rest some of their more fragile players. One from Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson could sit this one out.

All-rounder John Hastings is expected to get a game to make sure each of Australia's squad is accustomed to conditions before the quarter-finals. Callum Ferguson may also get the call.

Canada's John Davison has announced that this will be his last game
before retiring. He could be moved back up to open. Against New Zealand Ashish Bagai became the third captain-wicketkeeper to score 50 on two or more occasions in the World Cup. Kumar Sangakkara and Alec Stewart are the other two.

Venue and conditions

The Chinnaswamy stadium surface in Bangalore is the best to bat on in the competition and Australia should, if they bat first, comfortably post 300 or more. The first-innings totals so far read: 338/327/207/324. Australia were responsible for the last total against
Kenya when Michael Clarke hit 93 from 80 balls.

Match odds

Not much doing here. Australia, who are 1.02, are unbeaten in 33 World Cup matches and they are not about to see that run ended. Canada, 38.00, have probably peaked and are on the downward curve. Their win over Kenya was the highlight but the 97-run hammering against New Zealand suggests they are ready for the plane home.

Top batsman - Australia

Michael Clarke (175 runs), Shane Watson (162) and Brad Haddin(149) are Australia's top batsmen in the tournament. Clarke, with ground form, may be the wager at 6.8. Clarke looks a solid bet at 2.24 for 50. Ricky Ponting, if any further evidence was needed that he is a shadow of his former self, has 76 runs from three innings. Mike Hussey made a 50 on his return to the side last time and should not be written off
at 9.00.


Top batsman - Canada

Jimmy Hansra (212 runs) and captain Bagai (186) have proved ultra reliable and there is no point looking elsewhere, even if the heart strings are tugging at you to plump for Davison. They are 6.00 and 5.00 respectively for honours.

Featured market

The top Canada bowler market is a competitive one. Medium paceman Harvir Baidwan, 4.00, has been a success story as he is joint-second in the wicket-takers list with 12 victims, while spinner Balaji Rao has nine scalps. Given Australia's weakness against spin, Rao might be the shout at 4.30.