2017 ICC: Australia v New Zealand Betting Tips
Australia and New Zealand will start their quest for ICC Champions Trophy 2017 when they take on each other in a Group A encounter at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Friday, June 2nd.
Aussies – aiming for the hat trick
Australia is undoubtedly one of the hot favorites for the title that they have won twice in the past. With David Warner, Steve Smith and Aaron Finch in the top-order, the Aussies have a very aggressive batting line-up. With Travis Head and Moises Henriques coming good in the practice matches, the middle order worries too seem to have ended for Smith.
It is the bowling though that garners attention for the Aussies. Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson have never been available together – thanks to injuries. The prospect of having all of them makes them a very dangerous attack in these conditions. Add to them the leg-spin of Adam Zampa and you have a perfect balanced bowling unit.
Smith also has all-round options to boost his chances – Henriques, Head, John Hastings and Glen Maxwell, all provide variety and depth. Surely, they start as one of the title favorites.
New Zealand’s chance to take revenge
No matter how many times they defeat the Aussies, the loss in the 2015 World Cup final still rankles New Zealand. The Kiwis are a strong unit in the ODIs and have the right squad to stop the World Champions in England. The practice matches have not gone entirely to plan but the Kiwis are much better than that.
Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson are two of the most accomplished batsmen in ODIs – albeit of contrasting styles. The clutch of all-rounders in the middle order makes them very dangerous – the likes of Corey Anderson, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner and Colin de Grandhomme give many options to Williamson.
Then with the ball, the Kiwis have Tim Southee and Trent Boult who are two of the best exponents of new ball in ODI cricket. The bigger worry for Williamson is to extract the best out of his motley unit.
Key players
Warner and Guptill loom as potential match winners for their sides. It could well turn out to be an attrition battle of openers that decides the result of this match.
Australia’s batting is susceptible against swinging ball, which makes Southee and Boult very important for the Kiwis.
Stats
Both sides come with similar record – Australia won 25 out of 42 while New Zealand won 24 of 43 matches – in the last two years. If this does not indicate how close it is, think of this – they played each other nine times during this period winning four each with one abandoned game.
Picks
An Australian win comes at odds of $1.53 (William Hill) which should be your pick considering the form of their key players.
TIP: Australia to win – $1.53 at William Hill
Smith’s obdurate style makes him one of the most difficult batsmen to dislodge. Back him to be the best batsman for them at odds of $4.33 (bet365).
TIP: Steve Smith top Aus run scorer – $4.33 at bet365
TIPS ARE SIMPLY THE AUTHOR’s OPINION. ALWAYS GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY
