Time for the big guns to shine

When trying to work out who will be top batsman in the World Twenty20, as with the one-day World Cups, there is a formula that you simply must adhere to. It's as simple as 1, 2, 3.

Click here to bet on World Twenty20 at bet365

Don't get excited about the prospects of someone who bats down the order at No 6 but who can strike a few lofty blows. The chances are that they will not have enough time at the crease to get the runs they need.

Just take a look at what happened in South Africa two years ago. The top two in the overall runscorers were Matt Hayden and Gautam Gambhir - both openers, and though Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik and Kevin Pietersen broke the trend - that was mostly because their openers were terrible.

So it's no surprise to see bet365's market for top batsman absolutely dominated by members of their respective top 3s.

Virender Sehwag, back in top form and a massive threat at the top of the India order, is the favourite at 11/1 and the way he's been batting of late, that's not a bad price.

Gambhir, second last time and a far better player than he was two years ago, is a 12/1 chance, while Yuvraj is 14/1, the same price as Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain. Ricky Ponting, the Aussie skipper, is 16/1, as is Suresh Raina, while Mahela Jayasuriya, Brendon McCullum and AB De Villiers are all 18/1.

The other thing to bear in mind in this market, of course, is which players are likely to be around as far as at least the semi-finals. It explains why Chris Gayle, who could go ballistic if the mood is right, is 22/1 to top the list. To be honest, even if they do go out, that may not be too bad a price for he could smash a couple of 70s or 80s in a few minutes.

Shane Watson is 20/1 and that, too, could prove to be worth a gamble - bet365 pay each-way on the top four - because he could easily open the batting throughout for Australia. If he does, he is bound to hit form once or twice, at least, so 20/1 is nice.

Of the rest, MS Dhoni is 25/1, while Robert Key will be an interesting man to watch at 33/1, mainly because he may not be out of the running for an Ashes berth just yet.

As for the bowlers, it's anyone's guess, really. I know that's not much help but I would go for someone who can change their pace, with disguise and is not perturbed by the prospect of being hit out of the ground at times, as he inevitably will be.

Mitchell Johnson fits the bill at 14/1 while spinners always have a chance because batsmen have to get after them from the off. Daniel Vettori is a big price at 16/1, as is Umar Gul at 20/1, especially as he topped the list with 13 wickets last time round.

Shahid Afridi could be a dark horse at 25/1, as could Peter Siddle at 33/1.

Cambers' Call
Virender Sehwag to be top runscorer in World Twenty20 - 11/1 bet365
Guatam Gambhir to be top runscorer in World Twenty20 - 12/1 bet365
Chris Gayle to be top runscorer in World Twenty20 - 22/1 bet365
Rob Key to be top runscorer in World Twenty20 - 33/1 bet365
Mitchell Johnson to be top wicket-taker in World Twenty20 - 14/1 bet365 Daniel Vettori to be top wicket-taker in World Twenty20 - 16/1

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.