Four matches lead off the T20 World Cup's preliminary group stage which take place in Geelong and Hobart. Group A will be based at Kardinia Park and Group B at the famous Bellerive Oval in double-headers on Sunday and Monday.
Sunday 16 October
Namibia 7/1 | Tie 25/1 | Sri Lanka 1/11 (06:00)
Sri Lanka could get themselves right into form and in the frame for some huge upsets, but they first need to avoid a few banana skins.
Namibia could be a dangerous side to meet first up with experienced all-rounder David Wiese still going strong.
Sri Lanka will hope that Wanindu Hasaranga can find his best form with bat and ball and give this team that extra bit of match-winning quality.
Chamika Karunaratne is another Sri Lankan all-rounder with high hopes, but Namibia will fight for every run and wicket.
Sri Lanka really should have the measure of Namibia here. There’s very little value on the Sri Lankan win. Instead, back the Islanders to hit more sixes at 9/20.
Netherlands 82/100 | Tie 25/1 | UAE 21/20 (10:00)
These teams know that if they are to retain any hope of reaching the Super 12s they will need to win this match.
The UAE are playing in just their second T20 World Cup while the Netherlands have been relatively ever-present for some time.
UAE bowler Junaid Siddique has loads of experience and could be someone who troubles the Dutch batters.
The Dutch batting could take the game away from the UAE with hitters like Max O’Dowd and Tom Cooper.
The UAE were recently pretty competitive against Bangladesh and the West Indies even though they lost all of those games. With this in mind, I’ll have a small strike on them to win here at a shade over even money.
Monday 17 October
Scotland 57/10 | Tie 25/1 | West Indies 1/9 (06:00)
West Indies have ambitions of winning the whole show, but like Sri Lanka, they need to find consistency quickly.
Scotland have suffered from a lack of T20 Cricket in preparation which can only help the West Indies.
Shimron Hetmyer was banished from the squad over a failure to turn up on time to leave for a tour of Australia.
George Munsey holds the key to Scotland getting to a big total but a low-scoring game would be their best chance of a win.
The recently-concluded CPL would have provided the West Indies the perfect prep for the Group Stages. They will win this, surely. Looking for value, get on a 50 to be scored in the match (Yes) at 9/20.
Ireland 82/100 | Tie 25/1 | Zimbabwe 21/20 (10:00)
Ireland have a tough assignment to start their tournament against a good if somewhat underdone Zimbabwe.
The Irish need Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie to fire at the top of the order and provide Harry Tector with platform to launch from.
Zimbabwe rely heavily on Sikandar Raza both as a bowler and a batter but could use more runs from the top order.
Wesley Madhevere is among those with the potential to get that top-order firing for Zimbabwe.
Raza is a world-class player, and a big contribution could see Zimbabwe blog this Irish side away.
