T20 Cricket World Cup: England outsiders to repeat 2010 success

England will begin the defence of their T20 World Cup title against Afghanistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The reigning champions beat Australia in the 2010 final to lift the trophy, but this time around are 7/1 outsiders to repeat the feat.

India are 7/2 favourites, whilst Sri Lanka’s home advantage justifies their 9/2 price, with talented outfit South Africa further back at 11/2.

England have not managed to sufficiently build on their T20 success two years ago, and are not expected to mount a substantial challenge this year.

See which players we think make up the ultimate cricketer here

Recent issues have seen the national side hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons, with the Kevin Pietersen text messaging scandal far from ideal preparation for a major tournament.

In addition to that, talismanic captain Andrew Strauss has retired from England duty, although he was not part of the T20 set-up.

However, captain Stuart Broad has insisted that his side are ready to compete with the world’s best in South Asia.

“We’ve got matchwinners. We saw Jos Buttler, the other night, completely change the game in an over – and that’s the sort of thing you need in Twenty20 cricket,” said Broad.

Despite the Nottingham-born bowler’s confidence, this tournament could prove difficult for England, with their second match of the competition against India set to be a difficult proposition.

However, before that match England kick off versus 500/1 long shots Afghanistan, and could really use a dominating performance to help build some momentum.

The current Ashes holders are heavy 1/25 odds on against Afghanistan, who are competing in just their second T20 World Cup.

Betting on individuals may prove more fruitful however, and T20 specialist batsman Craig Kieswetter represents England’s best chance of finishing at the tournament’s top runscorer.

In 2010, came in fourth with 223 runs, just one behind third place Salman Butt of Pakistan.

Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka topped the leader board, but with second place Kevin Pietersen out of the picture the onus is on South African-born Kieswetter to improve on his total this year.

In the bowling stakes, Stuart Broad will be hoping to put in a captain’s performance with the ball and prove odds of 25/1 to take the most wickets as great value.

2010 saw Graeme Swann finish fifth out of the top wicket-takers, and this year he is also 25/1 to do so again, as is Steven Finn.

And England can be backed to be the team to score the most sixes at 14/1.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing