Sunday and Monday T20 World Cup predictions & cricket betting tips
Ireland could strike early against Australia's nervy openers
Free cricket tips, best bets and analysis for Sunday and Monday's matches in the T20 World Cup in Australia.
Where to watch
Australia v Ireland
Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, 8am Monday
India v South Africa
Sky Sports Cricket, 11am Sunday
Best bets
Australia opening partnership total under 24.5 runs
Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, 8am Monday
1pt 10-11 bet365
Virat Kohli to score over 25.5 runs v South Africa
Sky Sports Cricket, 11am Sunday
1pt 5-6 Coral, Ladbrokes
Preview
Ireland inflicted a damaging defeat on England at the T20 World Cup and will be hoping they can repeat the trick by springing a surprise on holders and hosts Australia at the Gabba on Monday morning.
The rain has caused havoc in the early stages of the tournament, but that has only added to the intrigue with all six teams in Group One still holding some hope of qualification.
New Zealand have stolen a march on their rivals with Saturday’s 65-run win over Sri Lanka but England, Australia and Ireland all have three points - one win, one loss and one washout - and are separated by only run rate.
This is a must-win match for both sides and although the Aussies are understandably overwhelming favourites, the Irish challenge is not as weak as it once was.
Ireland may have been slightly fortunate in their win over England - they triumphed by five runs on the DLS method - but it was still an inspired performance which highlighted the rising quality of their white-ball stock.
And the Green and Whites must take some hope from Australia’s unsettled opening partnership as neither David Warner nor Aaron Finch are yet to fully fire in the tournament.
Australia lost the opening wicket of Warner for just five runs in their opening defeat to New Zealand and found themselves at 26-1 in the seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka after Warner was removed for just 11.
Finch has fared slightly better with 44 runs across his two innings but he hasn’t looked in complete control either, so Ireland’s bowling attack could get some early joy.
Ireland reduced England to 29-3, claiming the prize wicket of Jos Buttler for a second-ball duck, and they should be backed to take Australia's opening wicket before they reach a total of 25.
Group Two is also finely poised but India and South Africa appear the standout nations in that section and they meet in a crunch clash in Perth on Sunday morning.
India are two from two after wins over Pakistan and the Netherlands while South Africa’s only completed match saw them run out emphatic 104-run winners over Bangladesh.
The match prices are about right but Virat Kohli is in devastating touch, scoring 82 not out against Pakistan and 62 not out against the Netherlands, and he could star again for the Men In Blue.
On those recent efforts Kohli, who also hit 49 not out on his last T20 start against South Africa at the beginning of this month, is the key man for India and he looks a good bet to make at least 26 runs.
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