England’s T20 World Cup odds shorten after beating West Indies

England have drawn first blood in the tussle for Group 2 qualification at the T20 World Cup, defeating the West Indies in their Super Eight match on Thursday (AEST).

With only two of England, South Africa and the West Indies able to move through to the semi-finals, this was a crucial clash.

T20 betting sites were unable to split the two sides heading into the match, with each paying -111.11 to win in St Lucia.

The odds were dead even after 15 overs as well. It wasn’t until Phil Salt plundered 30 runs off a single over that England moved ahead and put one foot in the T20 World Cup semi-finals.

Sharp bowling restricts West Indies

Previous games of the T20 World Cup have been low scoring due to questionable pitches. In this match, the West Indies were unable to broach the 200-run mark purely because of England’s sharp bowling.

Adil Rashid was the star of the show, going for just 21 runs from his four overs. Jofra Archer was also wily at the death, while Sam Curran’s slower balls were tough to read.

Plenty of the West Indian batsmen got off the mark, with the top four all scoring between 23 and 38. None were able to kick on at a threatening strike rate, however, with Rovman Powell looking the most dangerous until he fell in the 15th over.

The end result was a middling score of 180/4. The home side gave themselves a chance but will have felt they left plenty out there as well.

England plateau, then skyrocket

If the West Indian innings was a little strange, then England’s was downright bizarre.

The visitors got off to a rollocking start, racking up 58/0 from the powerplay. They then flatlined a little, allowing Roston Chase to throttle them and losing two wickets.

Jonny Bairstow moved along at his usual speed, but at the other end, Salt struggled. The opener went from the sixth to 16th over without hitting a boundary.

Evidently, he’d been saving himself up for a big effort. In the 16th over, he went big with three fours and three sixes, slashing the asking rate from 8.0 to 2.5 in six short balls.

Two overs later, England cantered home, with Salt and Bairstow carrying their bats on 87 (47) and 48 (26) respectively.

England’s title chances improve, West Indies on the brink

This result has caused some significant shifts in the outright betting odds for the T20 World Cup.

Heading into the match, cricket bookmakers had England, South Africa and the West Indies all on +550 to win the tournament. Now, England are $5, South Africa are $7, and the West Indies are $8.50.

From here, the tournament hosts will need to win big and rely on other results going their way if they are to make the semi-finals. England, however, are in the box seat.

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