Cricket World Cup 2015: Australia Firm Favourites vs India Ahead of Semis, say Global Betting Trends
Australia continue to be favourites with global bookies as the cricket World Cup 2015 co-hosts prepare to face India in the semifinal next week.
India are unbeaten in cricket World Cup 2015, winning all their seven matches while Australia have struggled at least twice against quality bowling attacks. But global betting trends indicate the tournament co-hosts are firm favourites to win the semifinal when the two sides clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground on March 26.
Defending champions India crushed Bangladesh by 109 runs in the second quarter-final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground while Australia knocked Pakistan out, defeating them by six wickets at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.
After Australia's victory against Pakistan, betting trends suggest the home side had a 66.6 per cent chance of winning the semifinal. India were at 33.3 per cent.
India, who have spent close to four months Down Under, have been dominated by Australia. The hosts won the four-Test series 2-0 and brushed India aside in the tri-series as well.
Betting trends earlier in the week had suggested Australia were overwhelming favourites to win the World Cup with a 33 percent chance. India, their semifinal opponent, are down the pecking order with a mere 18 per cent, just below New Zealand (20 per cent).
Australia were among the biggest pre-tournament favourites, along with India, South Africa and New Zealand. While the first three have made the semifinal, the Black Caps will need to overcome the West Indies in the final quarter-final in Wellington on Saturday.