SKY SPORTS’ cricket man Joe Drabble (@Joe_Drabs) is feeling bullish ahead of Australia’s quarter-final clash with Pakistan on Friday. Can he land us a few big winners?
Australia v Pakistan | Friday 03.30 | Sky Sports 3
When searching the odds for this game I was expecting to see Australia at around 1/8 to see off Pakistan and reach yet another World Cup semi-final.
They are 1/4 (Sportingbet).
Short? Yes. An absolute banker? Yes again. For any big-hitters out there, get stuck into that price while it’s still on offer.
The Aussies are looking as strong as ever and should breeze past the ever-inconsistent Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval on Friday morning.
The weather is set fair, the pitch looks spicy and Australia’s fast bowlers will be licking their lips at the prospect of tucking into Pakistan’s vulnerable batting line-up.
In Mitchell Starc (16), Australia boast the leading wicket-taker in the competition and he will be supported by the fiery Mitchell Johnson and one of either Josh Hazlewood or Pat Cummins.
Starc gets my vote for the Top Bowler in the match at 7/2 (888 Sport) and I’ll also be on him to be Man of the Match (15/2 Coral) should the Aussies bowl first.
I’ll be surprised to see Pakistan post more than 220 and once again it will be up to captain Misbah Ul-Haq to steady the ship by standing firm at the crease. He is 7/2 (888 Sport) to be his team’s Top Batsman – a bet which comes in more often than not.
Pakistan, too, boast a useful pace attack and Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali and Ehsan Adil should pose more than enough problems for Australia’s top order and for that reason I’m looking to a man in the middle order to bring home the bacon in the top runscorer stakes.
No modern player loves the Adelaide Oval more than Michael Clarke, and, just as he did for us last week, I’ll be looking for him to deliver the most runs in the match at 8/1 (Coral).
Best Bets
Australia v Pakistan – Australia to win (1/4 Sportingbet)
Australia v Pakistan – Misbah Ul-Haq to be Top Pakistan Batsman (7/2 888 Sport)
Australia v Pakistan – Michael Clarke to be Top Batsman (8/1 Coral))
Australia v Pakistan – Mitchell Starc to be Top Bowler (7/2 888 Sport)
Australia v Pakistan – Mitchell Starc to be Man of the Match (15/2 Coral)
