Early Betting Guide for the 2023 Cricket World Cup

The 2023 Cricket World Cup might seem like an eternity away. But believe it or not, you can already bet on the tournament.

After winning the 2019 World Cup in dramatic fashion, England will be the team to beat when the world’s best cricketing nations arrive on Indian shores in a few years’ time.

Five-time champions Australia will be eager to silence the Barmy Army, while Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and West Indies will all be hoping to add to their trophy cabinets. However, it is difficult to ignore the hosts, even at this early stage.

In this 2023 Cricket World Cup guide, I look at the odds, assess the bookies’ early favorites, and cover everything else you need to know about betting on the tournament.

The 13th edition of the Men’s ICC Cricket World Cup will take place in India between October and November 2023.

This will be the first time that India hosts the tournament as the sole host nation, having previously co-hosted World Cups with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh in 1987, 1996, and 2011.

Qualification for the 2023 World Cup started back in July 2020, with the final qualifiers scheduled to take place in 2022.

Ten nations will participate in the competition. The teams will all play against each other in an initial group before the top four advance to the semi-finals.

In total, there are 13 stadiums capable of hosting World Cup matches in India, although it is currently unclear which venues will be selected.

England heads to India as the defending champions following their victory over New Zealand in the 2019 final.

At this stage, the top online betting sites all seem to be backing India (3.50), with the host nation likely to thrive on home soil.

England (4.00) is also expected to challenge for the trophy, while Australia (5.00) isn’t too far behind on the bookies’ list of favorites.

As you can see, the odds take a significant jump up to New Zealand (8.00), with South Africa (10.00) making up the top five.

Pakistan (11.00), West Indies (15.00), and Sri Lanka (17.00) have all won the World Cup before, although Bangladesh (26.00) is still searching for their first title.

Afghanistan (101.00) bridges the gap between the obvious frontrunners and the clear outsiders.

Unsurprisingly, the bookmakers’ early favorites all made it to the semi-finals in 2019. Let’s take a closer look at those teams.

Of course, India is always among the bookies’ favorites when it comes to the World Cup. But with home advantage on their side in 2023, anything less than glory will be viewed as a failure for the Men in Blue.

India has won two World Cups, first in 1983 and most recently in 2011. However, the team will head into their host tournament on the back of successive semi-final defeats.

Captain and talisman Virat Kohli will turn 35 during the 2023 World Cup, and with other aging stars coming towards the end of their careers, it could be up to the next generation to get the job done.

Time will tell whether Ravi Shastri’s side will be able to deal with the weight of expectation.

England will probably feel that anything is possible after what happened at the 2019 World Cup.

Eoin Morgan’s boys overcame New Zealand following one of the craziest finals in sporting history, securing the nation’s very first World Cup triumph in the process.

With a stellar batting line-up – Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy – and a lethal bowling attack – Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Tom Curran – England looks well equipped to defend their crown.

Oh, and let’s not forget about Ben Stokes. It may feel like the big-hitting all-rounder has been around forever, yet he will arguably be in his prime years at the next World Cup.

No nation has clinched more World Cup trophies than Australia. The Aussies have got their hands on the famous trophy five times, with three straight triumphs coming between 1999 and 2007.

Naturally, you’d be foolish to write them off in 2023.

After winning the World Cup on home soil in 2015, Australia was beaten by England in the semi-finals in 2019. Needless to say, the team will be desperate to make amends in India.

With current captain Aaron Finch now 34 and run-machine Steve Smith heading into the twilight of his career, the Aussies may have to rely on the likes of Marnus Labuschagne to lead the charge in 2023.

Australia opener David Warner has declared ambitions of playing in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, but may step aside from T20Is next year.

Read more ? https://t.co/mT3ctdm5a2 pic.twitter.com/eYFc6u5CiC

— ICC (@ICC) May 13, 2020

I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of Kiwis are still hurting from their side’s agonizing final defeat to England at the previous tournament.

In all honesty, that match could have gone either way, yet New Zealand was left to dwell on what could have been.

The 2023 World Cup gives the New Zealanders a chance to atone for the failures of 2019. After all, star performers Kane Williamson, Lockie Ferguson, and Tom Latham should still be at the top of their game.

If the Kiwis can use their recent shortcomings as fuel to spur them on in India, they will be a seriously dangerous team.

The 2023 Cricket World Cup will feature ten nations, with eight teams able to qualify via the Super League tournament.

India will take part in the Super League, although the host nation is automatically guaranteed a place at the World Cup.

In total, there are 13 sides competing in the Super League. When all the teams have completed their qualifying matches, the top eight will qualify for the World Cup, with the bottom five dropping into the Qualifier.

Here are the 13 teams in the 2020-22 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.

The Cricket World Cup Qualifier – due to take place in 2022 – will then enable a further two nations to qualify for the tournament in 2023.

This will see ten teams battle it out in a knockout style competition, with the final two sides qualifying for the World Cup.

As well as the bottom five nations from the Super League, there will be five associate teams in the Qualifier. These sides will have to come through other qualifying rounds to reach this stage.

Below is a list of the associate teams that could feature in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

If you’re still a bit confused about the qualification process (I don’t blame you if you are), check out the Tweet below.

The road to the Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 starts today with PNG taking on Oman in the first match of the new Cricket World Cup League 2.

So, how does the new qualification structure work?

? https://t.co/8e6fGAWKCv pic.twitter.com/r1th7RvFuv

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 14, 2019

India is home to many of the world’s most iconic cricket stadiums – and also the biggest.

There are 13 possible venues for the 2023 World Cup. However, an official announcement regarding which stadiums will be used has not yet been made.

Nevertheless, here are the 13 stadiums that could host World Cup matches.

Instead of picking the obvious names like Kohli, Stokes, and Smith, I have chosen to highlight three young players who could be in their prime come 2023.

Former India U19 captain Prithvi Shaw is viewed by many as the perfect successor to Virat Kohli’s throne.

The 21-year-old burst onto the scene by becoming the youngest player to score a Test century on debut for India, and he is also regarded as a top-class ODI player.

With a mean off-break in his locker, too, Shaw could shine with both bat and ball when the World Cup visits his homeland in 2023.

Tom Banton has gained a reputation as one of the best young T20 batsmen on the planet, and I believe he has a big future ahead of him for England’s ODI side.

At just 22, Banton – who is also a wicket-keeper – already has experience playing in India, enjoying a full IPL season with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2020.

The fearless youngster has also teamed up with Big Bash side Brisbane Heat to develop his game further. I’m expecting big things from Banton in the coming years.

After making a name for himself with Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield and Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash, Riley Meredith recently gained international recognition with an ODI call-up.

The right-armer is arguably one of the quickest pacemen in the world right now, making him one of the most feared bowlers in the game.

The Aussie will be 27 by the time the next World Cup commences, so he will have even more experience under his belt.

Let’s best honest – it will be difficult to top the drama of the 2019 World Cup. After all, England’s last-ball win over New Zealand will go down in cricketing history as one of the craziest victories ever.

But if any nation is capable of putting on the show, it’s India.

Personally, I’m already super excited for the next Cricket World Cup. The standard of the young players coming through at the moment is frightening, so 2023 is destined to be a tournament to remember.

Being able to bet on an event that takes place in a couple of years has its obvious disadvantages. However, with the odds likely to fluctuate between now and 2023, it could pay to pick your winner early.

I mean, backing India to win the World Cup on home soil is never going to be a stupid decision, is it?

To make sure you get the best possible value when wagering on the 2023 World Cup, I highly recommend checking out our Cricket World Cup betting advice.