The opening match in the T20 World Cup double header is an all-Antipodean clash between Australia and New Zealand in Dharamsala.
Australia kick off their campaign in this match and having seen everyone else in the group get underway already they will know what to expect. They will know New Zealand already have one huge win to their name which came on Tuesday against India.
Australia’s record in this tournament is nowhere near what they would expect it to be. Usually they would begin their group as overwhelming favourites to qualify but everyone is having doubts about their ability to do that this year which is a new thing but it might be no bad thing.
Steve Smith has kept his cards close to his chest regarding the team line up for this match. Dharamsala didn’t turn as much as Nagpur in the qualifying rounds and the altitude makes the ball fly further so I wouldn’t think they would pack the side with spinners. All eyes will also be on who gets the job to open.
New Zealand’s win over India was as emphatic as it could possibly be in the end although at halfway few would have made them favourites. They made a bit of a mess of their batting performance but their canny team selection where they packed their side full of spinners came good and they dominated in the end.
Whether so many spinners are needed here remains the question. If they’re not there are far worse options to call upon than Tim Southee and Trent Boult – a potentially devastating combination even in these conditions.
We saw in the qualifying stage that this is a small ground which at altitude makes for run scoring. Apparently a new pitch has been prepared for this match so I’m expecting plenty of runs to be scored if there is the chance for that. Sadly it must be pointed out that there is a threat of rain for game time.
These two sides have met five times in this format of the game and Australia have four wins to their name. They will have to master alien conditions to them though if they are to get another win. All things being equal I would probably give New Zealand the slight edge here but the threat of rain makes me reluctant to bet on the outright market.
Hopefully the rain stays away because if it does we have a very low looking sixes line in this match. The line is 12 or more which with the way these two go about their business looks very low indeed.
Both sides like to swing from the hip and put pressure on the bowlers and with the game being played at altitude any connections with the bat is going to see the ball really fly. I just think there is too much talent with the bat on both sides for there not to be a dozen sixes here. In a full game I think there will be plenty more.
Back 12 or more sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Bet365
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