March 14, 2007	Wednesday	Safar 24, 1428

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LONDON, March 13: One of Britain's leading bookmakers is hoping anyone other than England or Australia win the Cricket World Cup.

William Hill has estimated that more than 100 million pounds will be gambled on the World Cup.

The West Indies were the 8/11 favourites to beat Pakistan in Tuesday's opening match in Jamaica with Pakistan at even money.

Hills have also opened a book on which England player will be the first to score a six, and make Kevin Pietersen their 2/1 favourite.

England open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand, the other Test nation in Group C, at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia on Friday.

Reigning champions Australia, going for an unprecedented hat-trick of titles, are 3/1 favourites to win the World Cup with England some way down the list at 9/1.

An Anglo-Australian final is a 12/1 chance, with a clash between Australia and South Africa, currently top of the International Cricket Council's one-day rankings, a 5/1 favourite.

The World Cup final takes place in Bridgetown on April 28.

World Cup odds (William Hill): 3/1 Australia, 5/1 South Africa, 7/1 Sri Lanka, 7/1 India, 9/1 England, 10/1 Pakistan, 10/1 New Zealand, 100/1 Bangladesh, 250/1 Zimbabwe, 350/1 Kenya, 750/1 Scotland, 750/1 Ireland, 1000/1 Netherlands, 1000/1 Canada, 2000/1 Bermuda.—AFP