England started the 2021 T20 World Cup as one of the favourites to go on and lift the trophy and they remain well placed to achieve that goal as we edge towards the conclusion of the Super 12s.
Eoin Morgan’s side are bidding to become the first team to hold both the T20 and 50-over World Cups at the same time and they have not put a foot wrong at the tournament to date, winning all four of their matches, while they are priced at 17/10 to go on and lift the trophy.
However, it is not how you start these competitions, but how you finish, and England still have a lot of work to do if they are to be crowned T20 world champions for the second time.
Serene Progress So Far for England
There is no doubting that England have been one of the most impressive teams at the tournament to date, recording emphatic victories over defending champions West Indies, Bangladesh and Australia in their opening three matches before stifling Sri Lanka’s run chase in their most recent fixture on Monday.
Individual contributions have played a key role for England, with Adil Rashid taking tournament-best figures of 4-2 against West Indies and Jos Buttler smashing an unbeaten century in the victory over Sri Lanka.
However, it would be wrong to just single out individuals, as this has been a team effort from England, with five bowlers having taken at least five wickets in the tournament to date, while Jason Roy and skipper Morgan have also contributed in the runs department.
England may already have their place in the semi-finals guaranteed by the time they take on South Africa in their final Group 1 match on Saturday, but they are priced at 4/9 to wrap up their progress in style with a fifth-straight win.
Three-Way Battle Taking Place in Group 2
Like England, Pakistan have been the dominant force in their group, with Babar Azam’s side already assured of their place in the knockout stages after winning all four of their matches to date, most notably their 10-wicket success over India.
Pre-tournament favourites India also lost to New Zealand – a result that put them on the cusp of elimination – but subsequent victories over Afghanistan and Scotland mean Virat Kohli’s side are still in the running for a semi-final place.
However, it is far from in India’s hands and they may already be eliminated from the competition by the time they take to the field for the their final group game against Namibia on Monday.
That is because New Zealand can book their place in the semi-finals by beating Afghanistan on Sunday, although their opponents can also still progress, but they will need to win and hope that either India slip up against Namibia or the net run rate swings dramatically in their favour.
New Zealand are priced at 10/27 to win Sunday’s crucial showdown in Abu Dhabi, while an Afghanistan victory is available at 9/5.
Buttler on Course to Top Batting Charts
England opener Buttler’s unbeaten knock of 101 against Sri Lanka is not just the highest individual score of the tournament to date, but it also leaves him priced at 2/1 to be the leading run scorer at the 2021 World Cup.
The 31-year-old is currently third on that list, but the two players in front of him, Sri Lankan duo Charith Asalanka and Pathum Nissanka, have already played their final matches in the competition.
It is a Sri Lankan player that heads the way in the bowling stats as well, with Wanindu Hasaranga having taken 16 wickets in the tournament to date, five more than any other player.
Hasaranga is priced at 2/9 to finish as the leading wicket taker at the tournament, with Australia’s Adam Zampa, who has taken 10 wickets, looking the main candidate to challenge for that honour at 13/2, although that is likely to depend on whether the Aussies can make it through to the knockout stages.
*All odds correct at time of writing