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Cricket tips

Windies can show their T20 quality

Gayle returns for 20-over champions

The West Indies are hoping for more celebrations in Jamaica
The West Indies are hoping for more celebrations in JamaicaCredit: Ryan Pierse

West Indies v India
Sky Sports 1, 4.30pm Sunday

There will be a rare treat for Caribbean cricket fans as Chris Gayle is 10-3 favourite to top-score for the West Indies in a one-off Twenty20 international on his home island Jamaica.

Gayle hasn't featured for the Windies since last year's World Twenty20 final victory over England and his return, along with those of all-rounder Kieron Pollard and ace spinners Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree, means the hosts merit a bet at 6-4.

They are far more competitive in 20-over cricket than in Tests or ODIs, as they proved with their triumph at the World Twenty20 in India, who they beat by seven wickets in a high-scoring semi-final in Mumbai.

Another feast of big hitting looks likely at Sabina Park and the Windies, with Gayle, Pollard, Marlon Samuels and dangerous opener Evin Lewis, have the batting strength to compete with India.

Narine and Badree are a formidable spin pairing and fast bowler Kesrick Williams has made an impressive start to his international career.

Williams kept MS Dhoni quiet in the fourth ODI as the Windies defended 189 and has taken 14 wickets in his first eight T20 internationals at an average of just 11.

India captain Virat Kohli sealed victory in the one-day series with a typically classy century and he is 5-2 to top-score for the tourists.

However, Kohli's side - understandably deflated after their Champions Trophy final defeat to Pakistan - weren't at their best in the one-dayers and are worth opposing given the return of some of the Windies' big-name players.

Recommendation
West Indies
2pts 6-4 BoyleSports, Sky Bet

England Women v Australia Women
Sky Sports 3, 10.30am Sunday
England racked up 373-5 in a crushing win over South Africa in the Women's World Cup at Bristol on Wednesday but they face a far tougher test when they return to the venue to take on Australia.

The Aussies, ante-post favourites for the trophy, haven't put a foot wrong in the league stage of the tournament, easing to wins over the West Indies, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan.

Australia are 8-13 to make it five out of five but there has been money about for 6-4 chances England.

Heather Knight's side lost their opening game to India before comfortable wins over Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa boosted the confidence of the batting unit.

Australia skipper Meg Lanning is 2-1 favourite to top-score for her side but she missed the last game with a chronic shoulder injury and is not guaranteed to make the 11.

Opener Nicole Bolton had a rare failure against Pakistan last time out but before that match she had scored 28, 60 and 107 not out and she looks worth a bet to lead the Aussie charge in Bristol.

Recommendation
N Bolton top Australia runscorer
1pt 7-2 general

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