Bookmakers high on West Indies heading into T20 World Cup

The T20 World Cup begins this weekend, and cricket bookmakers are increasingly optimistic about a strong campaign for the West Indies at home.

A string of recent wins for the island collective has meant bookies continue to improve their odds for the hosts to claim a record-breaking third title this month.

The West Indies now sit at $7 to win the 2024 T20 World Cup at bookmaker bet365. These odds are down from $9 just this time last week, and come courtesy of a strong performance against Australia in their latest warm up match.

West Indies thrash Australia on eve of World Cup

It’s been some kind of week for the West Indies. Over the last eight days, they’ve beaten South Africa three times in a row, and have now added the feather of Australia to their caps.

Put into bat first at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, the home team went big immediately. Shai Hope and Johnson Charles got stuck into the depleted Aussie side—who were again playing with just nine men—going at more than 10 an over in the powerplay.

Hope fell for just 14, but Charles was then joined by a free-swinging Nicolas Pooran. The wicketkeeper plundered 75 from just 25, racking up eight of the West Indies’ 19 total sixes.

A rapid-fire 52 from captain Rovman Powell and cameos at the death for Simron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford saw the Caribbean side through to a daunting 257/4 from their allotted overs.

In response, Australia was respectable, without truly threatening.

Ashton Agar (28 from 13), Josh Inglis (55 from 30) and Nathan Ellis (39 from 22) top scored for the visitors as they managed a total of 222/7. With players still on leave following the Indian Premiership League, plus Marcus Stoinis’ gear getting lost in transit, scoring over 200 was an achievement.

Gudakesh Motie once again starred with the ball for the West Indies, taking two wickets and conceding just 7.75 runs per over.

The West Indies will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Papua New Guinea on Sunday, where they’ll be heavy bookmaker favourites to win. Australia, meanwhile, don’t play until Thursday, with Oman up first for the world No.2 side.

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