England joint-favourites alongside Australia for Champions Trophy
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The eighth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy takes place next month, and as hosts, England are fancied to do well.
Our traders have made Eoin Morgan’s men 3/1 joint-favourites, alongside old enemies Australia.
Historically England have gone well on home soil, reaching the final in each of the last two occasions when hosting the tournament.
And Morgan has stuck to his guns with regard to his 15-man squad.
After a disastrous World Cup in 2015, the captain has overseen a steady squad overhaul and return to form for England in the 50-over format, easing the likes of Stuart Broad and James Anderson out of the fold.
Neither have made the Champions Trophy squad, which features just two players over 30-years-old.
Joe Root is included, and much will be expected of the Test skipper if England are to succeed in June.
And it is hoped that IPL regulars Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes can put their experiences in India to good use too.
England have won four of their last five ODI Tests– and six of their last nine since the World Cup – and the Three Lions will have to be on it from the get-go.
They’ll open against Bangladesh on June 1, before facing both Australia and New Zealand in Group A.
Over in Group B, South Africa and India will duke it out, alongside Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Behind England and Australia in the outright betting, South Africa and 2013 champions India are each 4/1 shots.
New Zealand are next up at 7s to repeat their success from 2000, before the odds then drift to Pakistan at 14/1, Sri Lanka at 20s, and 40/1 chance Bangladesh.
Click here for all the latest ICC Champions Trophy odds.
