Tuesday and Wednesday T20 World Cup predictions & cricket betting tips

Free cricket tips, best bets and analysis for Tuesday and Wednesday's matches in the T20 World Cup in Australia.

Where to watch

Australia v Sri Lanka
Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, midday Tuesday

Ireland v England
Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, 5am Wednesday

New Zealand v Afghanistan
Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, 9am Wednesday

Best bets

Ireland to have opening partnership of under 18.5 runs
Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, 5am Wednesday
3pts 5-6 Hills

Josh Hazlewood top Australia wicket-taker v Sri Lanka
Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, midday Tuesday
1pt 3-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

Finn Allen top New Zealand runscorer v Afghanistan
Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, 9am Wednesday
1pt 7-2 BoyleSports

Preview

Rain ruined South Africa's chances of making a winning start to their T20 World Cup campaign against Zimbabwe on Monday and England's Group One clash with Ireland on Wednesday could also be affected by poor weather.

The game is the first of a double-header at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which also hosts New Zealand's game against Afghanistan, and Ireland are 7-1 to upset their neighbours.

The Irish qualified for the Super 12 stage in style, thumping the West Indies by nine wickets, but they lost by the same margin against Sri Lanka in their opening match in Group One.

England produced a brilliant display in the field to bowl out the Afghans for just 112 on their way to a five-wicket victory and their fast bowlers will hope to maintain their high standards against Ireland.

The teams' only previous T20 meeting was a washout in Guyana at the 2010 World Cup, which England won, and Jos Buttler's men look in ominous form after impressive series victories over Pakistan and Australia.

Ben Stokes took the new ball against Afghanistan, claiming the first wicket with the score on 11, and England should be confident of making an early breakthrough on Wednesday.

Ireland opener Paul Stirling made 66 not out against the Windies but in their other three matches at this tournament the Irish have lost their first wicket at nought, 22 and two, and England's quicks are a cut above the bowlers they have been facing.

T20 world champions, and tournament hosts, Australia should not have any concerns about the weather when they face Sri Lanka in Perth on Tuesday but the Aussies are already under serious pressure after a chastening 89-run loss to New Zealand in their opening game.

That result put a dent in their net run-rate, which could prove crucial in determining the two semi-finalists from the group, so Aaron Finch's men will be targeting a convincing win over the Lankans.

The underdogs should not be taken lightly after triumphing at the Asia Cup in September and winning two of their last four T20 meetings with Australia this year.

Their batsmen may find things tougher on a pacy Perth pitch and Josh Hazlewood, who took two of the three New Zealand wickets to fall last week, can lead the way for Australia.

Hazlewood was outstanding in this year's home and away T20 series against Sri Lanka, claiming 14 wickets in just six matches, and he also took 3-16 in last year's World Cup final win over the Black Caps.

New Zealand are hot favourites to continue their flying start with a victory against Afghanistan and opener Finn Allen should be full of confidence after his stunning 16-ball 42 against the Aussies.

Allen is worth backing to top-score against Afghanistan, whose spin-heavy bowling attack is unlikely to be seen at its best in damp conditions at the MCG.

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