Australia overwhelming favourites to overturn West Indies

Australia's online cricket betting odds have them as the overwhelming favourites to overcome the West Indies in their opening ICC Champions Trophy match.

Sportingbet has them on 1.07 to overcome the Windies, who are on a huge 8.50 to cause an upset in South Africa on Saturday.

Ricky Ponting's side open their tournament campaign in Johannesburg following a crushing 6-1 ODI series victory over England.

The Australian captain is also the side's leader in the odds to rack up the most series runs on 4.25 with the same bookmaker.

However, key bowler Nathan Bracken is reportedly out of the series due to a knee injury.

The West Indies are suffering due to the absence of a number of key players due to a contract dispute, and lost their opening Trophy match by five wickets to Pakistan on Wednesday.

Ponting has since said he is concerned how the contract row will affect the West Indies side when they arrive in Australia for a test series later in the summer.

He said: "'We'll keep our fingers crossed and hope the number one and full strength West Indian side makes the journey to Australia because all the fans around the world enjoy seeing the West Indies players, and certainly the fans in Australia will enjoy seeing their number one team, hopefully, arrive there in November.''