The first 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final will take place between India and New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester.
India have been typically consistent and finished the group stage in first position; recording seven wins and one loss, with an additional game abandoned. There have been a few weaknesses in the armour, but a bad performed from the sub-continent nation has generally still been good enough to get the chocolates. They will, however, need to be at their best to beat New Zealand.
I actually think that this is the best-case scenario for New Zealand, in terms of semi-final opponents. Australia clearly still has the wood over them, while England playing in front of their home crowd also might have been a bridge too far. Their squad has shared the load more than any other nation at the Cricket World Cup, in that no single player has starred, but nearly every player has been good and consistent. If they are any chance of progressing further, the senior players will need to hit the potential that we know they have. That is reflected in the tips below.
Tips:
New Zealand to Win @ $3.40
Virat Kohli India Top Runscorer @ $3.25
Mohammad Shami India Top Wicket Taker @ $4.33
Trent Boult New Zealand Top Wicket Taker @ $3.75
Martin Guptill New Zealand Top Runscorer @ $4.33
What a semi-final this is going to be. England and Australia have both produced quality performances, in between the occasional hiccup at the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the final spot in this weekend’s decider is up for grabs when the two proud nations square off at Edgbaston on Thursday night.
For a tournament favourite as resounding as England was, they have clearly felt the pressure. They’ve lost a couple of seemingly unlosable games but have kicked back into gear in time for the finals. Wins over India and New Zealand have filled their sails with wind, and they’ll be confident of recording another one over Australia.
The Aussies lost their last group stage match against South Africa, but their form prior to that was excellent and I’m happy to forgive the last performance, given eyes were firmly fixed on this stage of the tournament. Australia beat England during the group stage, and I am confident that they can and will do it again. They are over the odds in head-to-head betting.
Tips:
Australia to Win @ $2.20
Eoin Morgan England Top Runscorer @ $7
Mitchell Starc Australia Top Wicket Taker @ $3
Aaron Finch Australia Top Runscorer @ $4