1st Semi-final – India v New Zealand

Ground – Old Trafford

Date and scheduled start – Tuesday 9th July at 10.30am

Weather – overcast but mainly dry. Please note that two days have been set aside for this match. If no result is possible after 2 days, the match will be awarded to India due to it finishing higher in the qualifying tournament.

Exchange win odds – India 1.38, New Zealand 3.60

India form at Old Trafford – 2 wins from 2 matches (Pakistan and West Indies)

NZ form at Old Trafford – 1 win from 1 match (West Indies)

Head to head form in the tournament – Match abandoned without a ball being bowled

Recent head to head form – 5 ODI series played as part of India tour of NZ in 2019. India won 4-1

At last the first semi-final is upon us and, though the weather forecast is not exactly inspiring, hopefully we should get a full match with no recourse to the vagaries of the Duckworth/Lewis system.

On all known form both at this tournament and recent head-to-head matches, India are worthy favourites at about 1/3. They have a top order in terrific form and have a wonderful bowler in the form of Jasprit Bumrah. However, in my opinion, the odds just about represent their chance in this match and I will not be recommending a bet at these odds.

I do think there is some value in the top batsmen market and this will be provided in the blog bet.