Australia and New Zealand take time out from playing Test cricket for a week to take part in a three match ODI series which begins in Sydney on Sunday. These three matches will be a repeat of the 2015 World Cup final and all eyes will be on the two to see just how strong they are in comparison to then.
Schedule
1st ODI – 4 Dec at Sydney
2nd ODI – 6 Dec at Canberra
3rd ODI – 9 Dec at Melbourne
Australia
Ever since winning that World Cup, Australia have been the side to beat in this format of the game. Much has been made of their recent demise in Test cricket so here is a chance to restore some pride and some confidence to the side ahead of the remainder of the international summer.
Australia make plenty of changes in this format of the game but they have a method which seems to work and it tends to revolve around a bowling attack that goes in the hunt for wickets to restrict opponents rather than having to chase millions. They can still chase big scores but it is rare they go around the park.
New Zealand
Australia have kicked on since the World Cup while New Zealand have stalled a little but any side who has lost the talent they have would do exactly the same. This is a much younger team led by a less aggressive captain but they took India the distance in an ODI series recently in India and you don’t do that if you can’t play the game.
One thing the Kiwis haven’t changed since the World Cup is the quality of their bowling attack and much like Australia they also go on the hunt for wickets. They lack a little bit of firepower with the bat but that shouldn’t be a massive issue on these larger Australian decks.
Betting
Australia are the favourites for this series which is completely merited but given all that has gone on with them recently it doesn’t feel right to be backing them at short odds especially in a pretty quick fire series where a couple of inspired performances could sway it either way so I’ll go for the player markets for a bet.
There is one market in particular that I like and that is the New Zealand bowler one. I was tempted to take Starc in the Australia market but if Australia go 2-0 up with a massive amount of cricket to come he might be rested which would be less than ideal.
Matt Henry missed the first Test against Pakistan so he should be quite fresh going in here and I like him a lot in this format. He bowls fast and he attacks the stumps and he should be bowling when the slog is on to pick up some cheap wickets which is all important. The pace and bounce in these wickets should be right up his street and at 9/2 he’s decent value to lead the New Zealand bowling in this series.
Tips
Back M.Henry Top New Zealand Series Bowler for a 2/10 stake at 5.50 with Betfred
Back him here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016
