The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup kicks off this Thursday night as the host nation, England, takes on South Africa in the opening game from 7pm (AEST). Earlier in the week, we ran you through our tournament betting tips for some of the main outright markets including the winner, semi finalists and last position!
We continue our coverage today as we take a look at some of the best players and prop bets of the tournament, some of which offer fantastic value. Head to our cricket tips page for our previous articles or continue reading for today’s player and prop best bets!
ICC Cricket World Cup Player & Prop Bets
Runscorers
As always, the highest run scorer for the whole tournament is almost impossible to pick. At most agencies, the tally includes finals games so if your selection for the most runs misses out on the one or potentially two extra games, it can really hurt. We’ve opted to focus more on individual team bets this season, which we think still holds plenty of value.
Australia
After a year of exile from international cricket, the pair of David Warner and Steve Smith look ready to burst back onto the ODI scene with a massive bang. Smith in particular looked invincible in his brilliant hundred against England in the warm up game on Saturday night. The Aussie number four compiled 116 runs off just 102 balls in his first competitive match back in the Australian ODI colours. There has been plenty of speculation around the Australian batting line-up and who will bat in which position, but you can almost guarantee Smith will be inked into the #4 slot in all 10 round robin games regardless of form.
Steve Smith most team runs
$4.00
India
In previous World Cup editions, it might have been a bit tough to find a lot of value in the $2.00 price tage for Virat Kohli to top the Indian run scorer markets. However, as each team plays at least nine games with the new round robin format this year, it give King Kohli plenty of time to make up ground when one of the Indian openers in Rohit Sharma or Shikhar Dhawan inevitably makes one of those big hundreds they are known for. Kohli is the mainstay in the Indian batting line-up and should average 50+ in this tournament and potentially cash in with big hundreds of his own against the lower ranked teams.
Virat Kohli most team runs
$2.37
New Zealand
It’s tough to find a better ODI batsman in the world, at the moment, than the New Zealand veteran Ross Taylor. He is currently the No.3 ranked batsman in the format behind only Indian pair, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and is averaging a ridiculous 96.6 over his last 15 ODI matches. He should bat at No.4 for the majority of the tournament, giving him ample opportunity to beat out his skipper, Kane Williamson, who has been a bit out of form in the ODI format of late.
Ross Taylor most team runs
$4.50
Wicket takers
Afghanistan
This is the best bet of the tournament, by a country mile. Put a determined amount on Rashid Khan to claim the most wickets for Afghanistan throughout their nine round robin matches and go spend the money. Hard to believe the No.3 ranked ODI bowler in the world is still at as high as $2.20 at some agencies to top the wicket takers list amongst a bowling unit that should struggle to take 10 wickets in the tournament.
Rashid Khan most team wickets
$2.20
India
In my opinion, Jasprit Bumrah is the most complete bowler in world cricket. In Test matches, his work with the new ball sends fear into the heart of opening batsman and his ability to get reverse swing and bowl at pace for extended spells is unmatched. In limited overs cricket, Bumrah’s knack of picking up a wicket or two in his first spell has almost become a joke and his run limiting ability at the end of innings is the best in the world. The English conditions should suit his pace and swing more than the spin heavy attack that Indian teams usually trot out at a World Cup. Should cruise to victory here.
Jasprit Bumrah most team wickets
$3.75
New Zealand
Trent Boult should relish the conditions in England. The swing bowler is currently the #2 ranked ODI bowler in the world, behind only Jasprit Bumrah and has taken 18 wickets in his last 7 matches. He’s an absolute master of picking up a wicket when the ball is swinging early in the innings and also bowls extremely well at the death.
Trent Boult most team wickets
$2.75
