Bookies agree with Pollock's England, India CWC picks

Cape Town - Bookmakers are in agreement with former Proteas all-rounder Shaun Pollock that hosts England and India are favourites for this year's Cricket World Cup title.

On Monday, Pollock, who represented South Africa at four World Cups and played 303 ODIs for his country, suggested that only six of the 10 teams at the May 30 to July 14 tournament had realistic chances of lifting the trophy.

And of those six, Pollock highlighted England and India as his two standouts.

This year's tournament will be the 12th World Cup to be staged and will be hosted in both England and Wales with the final scheduled for Lord's.

Ten teams have qualified and will play in a round robin format with the top four sides qualifying for the semi-finals.

England, much like South Africa, are still looking for their maiden World Cup success, while India are two-time winners. Australia lead the way with five victories, while the West Indies (twice) and Sri Lanka and Pakistan (one apiece) are also previous champions.

Leading SA bookies Sportingbet have installed England as 9/4 favourites, while India can be backed at 3/1.

Australia (5/1) and South Africa (6/1) are next best, followed by New Zealand (7/1) and Pakistan (9/1).

The West Indies (16/1), Sri Lanka (20/1), Bangladesh (50/1) and Afghanistan (66/1) can be considered outsiders for overall victory.