It’s probably no great surprise to say that Australia are clear favourites with the bookmakers to win the 2005 Women’s Cricket World Cup, which starts in South Africa today. There was only the one on-line sports betting agency that I could find today which is running books on the Cup. Bet365 in the UK has Australia at 11-8 favourite, with England and India equal second favourites at 7-2. New Zealand are out at 11-2. Interestingly, Sri Lanka are ranked with host nation South Africa both at 12-1.
West Indies are priced at 33-1, but followers of the Irish team would be wondering why they are out at 100-1.
In the market for leading tournament run-scorer, they have Australian captain Belinda Clark, playing in her fourth World Cup, favourite at 5-2, followed by Karen Rolton (11-4), Charlotte Edwards (4-1) and Claire Taylor (7-1). Haidee Tiffen (10-1) is the New Zealander considered most likely to succeed, while two Indians figure high in the list – Mithali Raj (8-1) and Anju Jain (14-1). No price is being offered for Anjum Chopra.
West Indians Nadine George and Nelly Williams (33-1) both rank ahead of the most favoured South African, Daleen Terblanche, who at 40-1 shares the same ranking as Sri Lanka’s Hiruka Fernando. Ireland’s Caitriona Beggs is 100-1.
Bet365 is also taking bets on each game. Whether anyone out there is biting is another matter.