THE pre-tournament odds supplied by Ladbrokes put England at 12/1 against winning the ICC World Twenty20, surprisingly long odds for a host nation. Yet after England's defeat by Holland at Lord's this pessimism looked entirely justified.

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India were made 11/4 favourites, and Ladbrokes reported an early bet of £10,000 put on the reigning champions. Spokesman Nick Weinberg said: "Our customers can only see one winner." A novelty bet of six sixes in an over can be done at 20/1, though the chances of a hat-trick was regarded as odds-on.

EARLY ODDS.--Winner: India 11/4, South Africa 4/1, Australia 5/1, Pakistan 6/1, New Zealand 8/1, Sri Lanka 8/1, England 12/1, West Indies 12/1, Bangladesh 33/1, Ireland 500/1, Scotland 1000/1, Holland 1000/1.