James Buttler of the Cricket Badger Podcast takes a look at the four teams making up Group B in the Champions Trophy.
CHAMPIONS TROPHY GROUP B - AUSTRALIA, ENGLAND, AFGHANISTAN and SOUTH AFRICA
Let’s start off with the team who I think could be the surprise package of this Champions Trophy. Afghanistan maybe shouldn’t be there with the way woman are treated back home, but then some say their presence shines a light of the sexual apartheid in operation by the Taliban.
One thing for sure, the Afghan’s are a very good side. This is their strongest format and with matches played in Pakistan, their neighbouring country, conditions will be perfect for their style of play. An attack led by Rashid Khan’s world-class leg-spin should be a potent force.
At 30/1 to win the title (two places e/w at 1.2 odds for second) Afghanistan are a very decent nibble to lift their first global trophy. The 7/2 on the Afghans reaching the semi-final stage by qualifying in the top two from Group B is a great punt.
When it comes to England, they’re fresh from being battered 3-0 in India as a very luke-warm-up. They’re 13/2 to win the Trophy and I wouldn’t touch that with a barge pole.
South Africa or Australia for the other semi-final berth and Australia are missing Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, Marcus Stoinis and Josh Hazlewood. That’s a big chunk of the first team absent. Despite South Africa missing Gerald Coetzee and Anrich Nortje, I think the respective depleted rosters give the Proteas the edge to make the semis at EVS.
The best bet from Group B is Afghanistan to reach the last four at 7/2 with William Hill.