JOHANNESBURG, Feb 18: Australia remain bookmakers’ favourites and are 10-11 to retain the World Cup with the hosts South Africa, though in real danger of being missing the Super Six stage, are surprisingly second favourites at 6-1.

Leading bookmakers here and in London have little faith in the subcontinent teams. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are quoted joint fourth at 10-1 behind New Zealand and the West Indies at 7-1.

India, who were third favourites before the start of the tournament, have been relegated to sixth with the bookmakers offering 12-1 for Saurav Ganguly’s men pulling off a shock victory in the final.

Troubled England are 25-1 with co-hosts Zimbabwe are offered at 100-1.

Despite heavily backed at the movement and so rightly the odds could change dramatically when the last round of matches are played to decide the six spots for Super Six.

Latest odds: Australia 10-11; South Africa 6-1; New Zealand, West Indies 7-1; Pakistan, Sri Lanka 10-1; India 12-1; England 25-1; Zimbabwe 100-1; Kenya 500-1; Bangladesh 2000-1; Namibia, Canada, Holland 5000-1.

Meanwhile, South African all-rounder Lance Klusener is the early pacesetter for the Internaitonal Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup’s Man-of-the-Tournament award.

A ICC release said Klusener with five points is one point ahead of Pakistan’s demon pace bowler Wasim Akram, Dutch all-rounder Tim de Leede, South African opener Herschelle Gibbs and the Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya.

Latest standings:

Lance Klusener five points. Wasim Akram, Tim de Leede, Herschelle Gibbs, Sanath Jayasuriya, all on four points. Andre Adams (New Zealand), James Anderson (England), Ian Billcliff (Canada), Austin Codrington (Canada), Stephen Fleming (New Zealand) and Jason Gillespie (Australia), all on three points.