World Cup: Seize New Zealand to beat Australia if chasing
Published:
The joint hosts of the cricket World Cup clash in Auckland and with home advantage many will fancy an in-form New Zealand side to get one over noisy neighbours Australia in Pool A.
Both sides bring tremendous recent form to the Eden Park collision, making it difficult to predict the eventual winner.
New Zealand’s 18-7 win/loss record in ODIs since January 2014 is only bettered by their Tasman rivals, with Australia going 18-5 over the same period.
The old foes have both lorded it over England already at this World Cup and protect 100 per cent records, albeit Australia’s match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain so they had to settle for a point.
Amazingly, this is the first time the countries have met in a full competitive ODI since the last World Cup, which only adds to the intrigue and will push many punters toward the more attractive 5/4 on the Black Caps, over Australia’s 8/13 price.
With the scales so finely balanced it may be worth holding fire until the toss has been completed, in light of the killer stat that the last six teams to bat first at Eden Park ended as the losing side.
Looking for value in other markets, two batsmen stick out for differing reasons.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum smashed 77 of 25 balls against England and the powerful right-hander needs just 47 more runs to make it 1000 in ODIs against Australia.
McCullum is 5/6 to make over 29.5 runs and 7/4 to grab a fifty, while for the visitors Shane Watson has handy claims on a half century.
The Aussie all-rounder averages 47.90 against New Zealand, a higher mark than against any other ODI team he’s faced more than five times, which includes a century and four fifties from 14 knocks.
Watson is 9/4 for a fifth fifty against this opposition.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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