Australia begin a tour of New Zealand on Wednesday when the two sides meet in the first of three T20s to get things underway, with the opening match coming from Wellington and offering both the chance to go one up with two to play.
While this will be a competitive series because of the proximity of the two countries to each other, it might be extra competitive because there is a World Cup to prepare for which is only four months away now.
New Zealand
New Zealand certainly can’t claim a lack of recent T20 action heading into this series. This is the third series they will have played this summer after Bangladesh and Pakistan have played series on these shores. Bangladesh came out of a rain impacted series with a draw but Pakistan were sent on their way in emphatic terms, coming out with a heavy 4-1 beating and that offers up plenty of momentum for the Kiwis to take forward with them.
New Zealand have been a bit of a force in white ball cricket over the last decade or so but the one thing which has been thrown at them at different times is that their depth isn’t as strong as other nations beyond their main 11 or so. This is a chance for them to show that isn’t the case because one or two stars are being rested for the series. New Zealand nearly always field a competitive bowling attack so the eyes will be on the batters here to see if they can get the job done.
Australia
Australia are another side who have been active in the T20 discipline recently. They head to New Zealand off the back of a series against West Indies which they won 2-1 to set them on their way to what they hope will be a successful time of it in the Caribbean when it comes to attempting to win back the T20 World Cup. They played largely a Big Bash dream team against West Indies but they look much stronger for the trip to New Zealand.
In that series Australia looked weak with the ball but that isn’t the case in this one. They have brought all of their big guns back for these three matches and you would imagine that is going to serve them well, particularly if they big hitters who went so well against West Indies can fill their boots on grounds which in some cases are half the size of the ones they took on the Caribbean men on. Australia should be able to show what they are made of here.
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Team News
New Zealand will be without the likes of Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell for this series while Trent Boult is another one who will be absent for the three games. There is a chance for Ben Sears and Josh Clarkson to show they are options for the World Cup.
Australia have recalled Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc to their squad for this series with Nathan Ellis another bowler who is back in contention. There is no Marcus Stoinis so Steve Smith could return to the top of the order and Mitchell Marsh drop down.
Betting
The Sky Stadium in Wellington isn’t quite as small as the one in Auckland which the series will conclude at but it certainly isn’t particularly big and so the 12.5 sixes line for this match just looks too low, especially with both sides having plenty of T20 reps under their belt heading into the series. The reason why these two are so good in white ball cricket at the minute is their batting depth and that can ensure the top order can give it a good crack here.
This isn’t necessarily a high scoring ground, although there have been high scoring matches here, but with this series probably being the most high profile that there can be in this part of the world I certainly expect a decent wicket and if we get one of those we have so many power hitters who can get the job done in terms of hitting sixes. Australia have just slapped West Indies around three bigger grounds than this and New Zealand aren’t short of hitting talent either. I like over 12.5 sixes in this one.
Tips
Back Over 12.5 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.73 with Boylesports
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