Aussie Progress at the 20/20

The Australians marched on in Bridgetown when they annihilated Sri Lanka by 81 runs. The Sri Lankans had the Aussies on the mat early on in the game but a 100 run partnership between Mike Hussey and Cameron White set up the Aussies with a more than competitive total of 168 off their 20 overs. The fast bowling duo of Nannes and Johnson then came on and systemically sliced through the Sri Lankan batting order to knock them over for 87. The Sri Lankans are a world class 20/20 team but they were blown away by an Australian team that haven’t dropped a beat so far in the West Indies.

The Aussies are enjoying decks that are similar to what they are used to in Australia. They are hard, have plenty of bounce and they just don’t suit the sub continent players who are all coming off an Indian Premier League series played on low and slow pitches. 888sport has the Aussies as clear favourites to win the World Cup at $2.50 which certainly appears to be about the right price. They are clearly the best team in the competition, are playing the best cricket and should win if nothing goes wrong. The only thing is that 20/20 cricket has elements that make it possible for good teams to stumble. The weather, a great innings or an incredible piece of fielding can see a team’s fortunes change in a blink of an eye especially when you enter the knockout stage of the competition.

The Poms are the second favourite at $4.00 and it looks like they are the only other team to have secured their place in the semi finals. The South Africans are at $7.00 which is a good price if they make the semis. If the Kiwis beat England comfortably then the South Africans might find they miss out. That leaves one other team that will make the semi finals and that will either be Sri Lanka, India or the West Indies. They are all currently at over 10/1 and whichever of the three make it represent incredible value.