Dean Etheridge
The 2022 T20 Cricket World Cup is underway, and although none of the betting favorites have yet entered the fray, England seem to have found some friends in the outright winner betting market.
Just a few days ago, England were +400 third favorites to win their second T20 world crown. They are now the joint favorites at +275 with Australia according to the best cricket betting sites.
Before we look into why there has been this sudden interest in England, let’s first take a look at the full betting to win the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Who is the betting favorite to win the 2022 T20 World Cup?
As you can see below, England have joined Australia as the betting favorites, with both nations at +275. Just over a week ago, Australia and India were both at +300, with England at +425. So this represents a swing in favor of Jos Buttler’s team.
| Cricket; T20 World Cup 2022 Betting |  |  |
| Australia | +275 | +275 |
| England | +275 | +275 |
| India | +350 | +350 |
| South Africa | +700 | +650 |
| Pakistan | +750 | +800 |
| New Zealand | +1000 | +1000 |
| West Indies | +3300 | +2800 |
| Sri Lanka | +4000 | +3300 |
| Bangladesh | +3300 | +30000 |
| Afghanistan | +6600 | +5000 |
| Scotland | +25000 | +30000 |
| Ireland | +25000 | +30000 |
| UAE | +30000 | +50000 |
| Namibia | +30000 | +40000 |
Apart from that, there’s not much difference in the odds. Australia went to +275 over the weekend, making them the outright favorites ahead of India. India has now been passed in the betting by England as well, with Rohit Sharma’s team slightly drifting from +300 to +350.
South Africa continues to be the best of the rest at +700. They are closely followed by Pakistan who have seen their odds trimmed from +800 to +750. But New Zealand is traveling in the wrong direction. Around seven to ten days ago, they were +800. They are now out to +1000.
The odds we are referring to in this article are from BetOnline. To learn more about this bookmaker, please visit our BetOnline sportsbook review.
Big guns set to get firing at the weekend
As we’ve already alluded to, the 2022 T20 World Cup has already started, but at the moment, it’s just the qualifying rounds to get into the main event. The big teams enter the fray this weekend with Australia v New Zealand, the first real eye-catching game of the competition.
And speaking of eye-catching events, India v Pakistan is also this weekend.
All of the favorites have now finished playing their warm-up matches, so next up, it’s the real business. So now, let’s look at why all of a sudden England have emerged as the team to beat.
England has beaten the hosts and are on a winning run
In the past few days, England has won a seven-match T20 series 4-3 away in Pakistan, defeated Australia 2-0 in a best-of-three series (one match was washed out), and also defeated Pakistan in their latest and final warm-up match in Australia.
That all sounds good, but there are a few points to bear in mind.
Pakistan series was experimental
In Pakistan, both sides were experimenting and the series could really have gone either way. England were 3-2 down with two to play, and they did win the final two matches in comprehensive style. But prior to that, they were far from dominant.
England won by 67 runs and won the series 4-3 👏
What's been your 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 moment? 🏏 pic.twitter.com/MwNr37cCrJ
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 2, 2022
Then in the first match against Australia, the hosts rested their four first-choice bowlers, who would have almost certainly made a difference had they played. And even without the fabulous four, the game went deep.
The second match between Australia and England was telling, though. On this occasion, both sides were close to their strongest starting eleven, although England were without Liam Livingstone and Mark Wood.
Australia battled, but it always felt like they were just behind England in the run chase. The Aussies did have England in trouble at 64/4, but Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali rescued Jos Buttler’s team with a 92-run partnership.
Ultimately, it was that partnership and Sam Curran’s 3/25 when he was bowling that won the match for England – and with it, the series.
England hold their nerve to take an unassailable 2-0 lead 🤩
Watch the #AUSvENG series LIVE on https://t.co/MHHfZPyHf9 (in select regions) 📺 pic.twitter.com/pEUL9dG7wY
— ICC (@ICC) October 12, 2022
Aussie shortcomings have probably contributed to England becoming joint favorites
But not only did the match show England know how to win tight games, it also highlighted plenty of shortcomings in the Australia lineup.
First, the fielding was very un-Australia-like. There were numerous dropped catches, and they weren’t the most difficult chances either.
And then there was the batting. Still Aaron Finch looked to be struggling at the top of the order, and Glenn Maxwell again failed when presented with the chance to stamp his authority on the game. Their form is becoming a real issue for the Aussies. And it’s these shortcomings that seem to be affecting the cricket betting odds and picks for the host nation.
On a positive note, Australia seem to have settled on Tim David at six, meaning there’s no room in the side for Steve Smith. That looks a good move from the defending champions as Smith hasn’t been scoring at anything like the strike rate David does.
Mitchell Marsh also looked in good nick. And although he couldn’t get Sam Curran away the other night, Matthew Wade is generally an assuring presence in the middle-order finishing role alongside Tim David.
Mark Wood makes a difference for England
With the pace lineup the Aussies have, it’s not hard to see why they’re the favorites. But that’s where Mark Wood comes into the equation for England. He can do a similar job to Mitchell Starc and company. With him in the team, England look a far better outfit.
Along with the emergence of Sam Curran, Wood makes England tick, and I believe it’s winning without Wood that has seen punters now choosing to put their faith in this England team. The team is good enough without Wood, it’s even better with him in it. An England team with a fit and firing Mark Wood is a good bet to win the competition.
