Prior 5/1 to top run charts

Story by Sarah Preece on 2011-01-19 12:32:48

Blue Square make Matt Prior a 5/1 chance to top England's run-scoring charts when the World Cup begins next month. Having been named in the 15-man squad, wicket-keeper Prior looks likely to open the batting with England captain Andrew Strauss in the sub-continent, but it's the skipper who heads Blue Square's Top England Runscorer market at 7/2. Struggling for form and a place in the team, Paul Collingwood is priced at 16/1 despite being named in the squad.

Spokesman Neil Lucas said, "It was a bold move by the England selectors to pick Prior, but we think it's a good one and respect his chances of performing well at the top of the order. All of England's top six are capable of getting big scores so the market is wide open for this tournament - the exception being poor old Paul Collingwood, who we can't see troubling the scorers much even if selected."

On the back of the announcement, Blue Square cut England to 9/2 (from 5/1) second favourites behind India (3/1) in the World Cup outright market.

England, Top World Cup Runscorer

• Andrew Strauss 7/2
• Kevin Pietersen 15/4
• Jonathan Trott 9/2
• Ian Bell 5/1
• Matt Prior 5/1
• Eoin Morgan 6/1
• Paul Collingwood 16/1
• Michael Yardy 20/1
• Luke Wright 25/1

World Cup 2011

• India 3/1
• England 9/2
• Australia 5/1
• Sri Lanka 5/1
• South Africa 11/2
• Pakistan 8/1