Ricky Ponting’s all-conquering Australia are overwhelming favourites to become the first team to successfully defend the cricket World Cup title, according to bookmakers Ladbrokes.
The Australians are quoted at 6-4 by the British betting company to win the World Cup, which opens on Saturday and ends with the final at the Wanderers here on March 23.
South Africa are Ladbrokes’ second favourites at 5-2 even though no home team has ever won cricket’s most coveted prize.
Ladbrokes are not predicting any surprises during the six-week tournament.
Australia and South Africa, the top two teams in the International Cricket Council rankings, are installed as the likely finalists at 4-1.
India are rated third at 7-1, ahead of Pakistan (8-1), New Zealand (10-1), England and Sri Lanka (14-1), West Indies (16-1) and Zimbabwe (100-1).
Minnows Canada, Namibia and the Netherlands are posted at 5000-1.
Australia’s all-round strengths are acknowledged by Ladbrokes, who have Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting as the likely top run-getters at 12-1 and Brett Lee as the leading bowler at 10-1.
South African opener Herschelle Gibbs is rated at 14-1 while India’s Sachin Tendulkar, one-day cricket’s most successful batsman, lags behind at 16-1.
Fellow Indian Virender Sehwag is also tied at 16-1 alongside Australian Adam Gilchrist and South Africans Gary Kirsten and Jacques Kallis. – Sapa-AFP