Cricket World Cup: Australia vs New Zealand Odds and Betting Preview

Story by Michael Peet on 2011-02-24 11:45:11

NAGPUR, INDIA - Australia take on New Zealand in Friday morning's Group A clash at Nagpur. The Aussies are comfortable favourites to win the match with best odds of 1/2 offered by Sportingbet, while Ladbrokes and bet365 are good for a Black Caps victory at 2/1. Both these sides have started this tournament confidently, with New Zealand thrashing Kenya by 10 wickets last Sunday and Australia beating Zimbabwe by 91 runs in their meeting on Monday. This match puts together two test-playing nations for only the third time so far in the competition, and New Zealand will be looking to score a rare victory over their old rivals.

Meanwhile the ICC have issued a statement saying that the World Cup schedule is set to be unaffected by the deadly earthquake which struck Christchurch this week, although the victims of the tragedy are to be formally remembered before the game. Both teams will wear black armbands and there will be a minute's silence in remembrance of the tragedy's victims.

Aussie big-hitter Shane Watson is favourite to top score for his side at 3/1 from Extrabet, while captain Ricky Ponting's chances are rated at 7/2 by Betfred and Blue Square. Martin Guptill is best priced at 4/1 from Ladbrokes to score the most runs for the Black Caps with Brendan McCullom joint favourite to do the same at 4/1 from Paddy Power.

Rejuvenated paceman Brett Lee is favoured to be the pick of the Aussie bowlers at 3/1 from Ladbrokes with his erratic successor in the test side, Mitchell Johnson, priced at 7/2 from the same bookmaker. The chances of New Zealand's record-breaking ODI wicket-taker, Daniel Vettori, finishing as his side's top bowler are rated at 5/2 by BetVictor.

In some of the more obscure markets, Skybet are offering 11/10 on Australia scoring more runs than their opponents in their first batting over while Boylesports are quoted at odds of 11/10 on New Zealand posting the highest opening partnership.

The match starts at 0400 GMT on Friday.

Australia vs New Zealand Match Result
Australia vs New Zealand Top Australian Batsman
Australia vs New Zealand Top New Zealand Batsman
Australia vs New Zealand Top Australian Bowler
Australia vs New Zealand Top New Zealand Bowler
Australia vs New Zealand First Over Total Runs
Australia vs New Zealand Highest Opening Partnership