2009 ICC WORLD TWENTY20 BETTING TIPS FROM WILLIAM HILL

The 2009 ICC World Twenty20 finally kicks off today and is the staging point for one of the most widely-anticipated summers of cricket in recent memory. The limited-overs format is taking the game by storm, and while it will always be controversial to the purists, many of us view it as a stellar way to draw new interest to the sport. With so many top teams competing on English soil, you can expect absolutely first-rate action. In terms of outright betting, William Hill has India listed as the favourites with a price of 11/4. South Africa are expected to be very competitive and a number of Saffers played extremely well during the Indian Premier League. I think their 4/1 price is very appealing. Australia are just behind South Africa and are available at 9/2. Ricky Ponting's charges are a great team, but twenty20 is not exactly their specialty and I think that they may struggle to reach the final. They did well to dispose of Bangladesh in a practice match today, but that's Bangladesh. Pakistan haven't seen much action recently and their 6/1 price is incorrect, I think they're better value at 8/1 and I cannot back them at that price. If they get some good early results under their belt then 6/1 works for me, but I just don't fancy them up against the likes of India and South Africa. Much is expected of England who will be playing in front of hometown crowds and the line-up that England have picked for this tournament shows that there is progress being made at the ECB. Graham Napier and Robert Key have both been called up while Andrew Flintoff will miss the tournament. James Anderson has been in excellent form in both test and one day cricket and I'm also confident that Stuart Broad will factor into the equation as well. Ravi Bopara has installed himself at #3 and could be used as an opener in the limited overs format. Graeme Swann will find himself with a bit of a challenge as spin can sometimes take second fiddle in twenty20, but he's been in great form lately and I expect him to get results. Ryan Sidebottom is also on the team and he'll be looking to prove himself for Ashes contention. England are 8/1 to win the tournament alongside Sri Lanka. New Zealand are an excellent twenty20 side and Daniel Vettori's side can make things happen if they're in form- they carry a 9/1 price. Chris Gayle and his West Indies side pay out at 10/1. Bangladesh is at 40/1, Ireland is at 250/1, while Scotland and Netherlands are 500/1.India are 1/10 to win group A with Bangladesh at 7/1 and Ireland listed at 14/1. Pakistan are favourites to win their group at 8/11 but I actually fancy 11/10 England here and the Dutch sit at 28/1. Australia are in a competitive group and are well-priced at 5/4. Sri Lanka are a tricky side and are priced at 7/4. West Indies are listed at 5/2. South Africa are odds-on to win Group D and carry a price of 1/2 against the Black Caps at 6/4 and Scotland at 33/1.