BRISTOL: The South Africans are all the rage now in the betting for the World Cup. The price on Hansie Cronje and his men being the victorious team at Lord's on June 20 has shortened to six to four which means you get a 150 per cent profit on your investment. The price on Pakistan has also shortened from four to one to 11 to four which represents a return of Rs. 275 on an investment of Rs.100. They are now clear second favourite ahead of Australia on whom the odds have gone up, from 100 to 30 (3.33 times your investment) to five to one.

New Zealand has attracted some attention in the betting and have come down with Ladbrokes from pre-Cup odds of 14 to one to 10 to one. Chandler have tightened the odds on the Kiwis even further in their quote of eight to one. William Hill have them down to low as seven to one which means there really has been some money pumped on the team who beat Australia. Despite their defeat at the hands of South Africa, England remain steady in themarkets at around five to one. This is more an indication of national sentiment bringing money on the home team rather than on current form. Ladbrokes are the only ones who believe England are not that good by offering half a point more on them at 11 to two.