The frenetic, nail-guzzling, sweat inducing action of Twenty20 rather jars with the laidback Caribbean lifestyle so the locals can expect a culture shock when cricket’s T20 World Cup – surely set to become the sport’s most important event – docks at Barbados, Guyana and St Lucia.

Certainly it is expected to be a huge deal for Sporting Index. This could be one of the biggest cricket betting events with television times perfect for the armchair fan. Not to mention the value, which is as abundant as the potential for a thrilling tournament. Sporting Index certainly think so. There is little to choose between South Africa, India, Australia, and Sri Lanka on their outright index with 60 points awarded for the win, 40 for runner-up, 20 for losing semi-finalists, 10 for a Super 8 appearance and 0 for failing to make it past the groups. Only five points separate the top four for buyers. South Africa are the favourites with a quote of 25-28, India and Australia are both rated at 24-27 while Sri Lanka are marked at 20-23.

When seasoned cricket punters peruse such prices it is likely that the first two conclusions they will draw are that South Africa and India are worth selling. The Proteas have let down their backers in global tournaments since time in memoriam and with only Jacques Kallis of the South African contingent having smothered himself in glory in the Indian Premier League, they look poor jollies. India are in a worse state. They have a dreadful record in the Caribbean – winning only eight of 26 50-over matches – and have just lost key man Virender Sehwag to injury.

In terms of Twenty20 records, Pakistan (16-19 with Sporting Index), the defending champions, should be the favourites. They have an incredible win percentage of 73 in Twenty20. Continuing the theme, South Africa are next best (65%) followed by Sri Lanka (60%), Australia (54%), India (53%), England (42%), New Zealand (39%) and West Indies (38%).

The problem with backing Pakistan is that they have lost to injury Umar Gul, the fast bowler who starred for them in the previous tournament in England. Yasir Arafat, top Twenty20 bowler in the world, is also missing. Sri Lanka, therefore, look to be the stand out value. They excelled in Caribbean conditions in the last 50-over World Cup, losing to Australia in the final, and appear to have all bases covered. Tillakaratne Dilshan, the opener who was top-bat in the last tourny, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara can score the runs while Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando and Lasith Malinga (the latter pair were responsible for Mumbai Indians’ IPL charge).

Thanks to a projected draw, the Lankans are likely to be paired with Australia, India and West Indies in the second Super 8 group. They should comfortably finish in the top two to make the semis. With South Africa slotted with (barring upsets) New Zealand, who get a quote of 16-19, Pakistan and England, terrible value at 18-21, Graeme Smith’s side can be expected to make the last four. Then wait for the brain surge.

In terms of supporting individual players, Kallis enjoys top billing. It could be worth checking his series runs price because no other visiting batsman in the world has scored more runs in 50-over cricket in the Caribbean. Herschelle Gibbs, another South African, is also up there while if we constrict the list to only players named in the respective squads, Jayawardene makes the top ten. With the ball, Muralitharan, with 29 wickets, is the most successful bowler. Malinga is tied fourth.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s and not Sporting Index’s. Prices correct as at Friday 23 April 2010.