Champions Trophy Final Cricket Betting Preview - Australia vs New Zealand

Story by Matt Knowles on 2009-10-05 10:01:10

Ricky Ponting`s Australia today meet Daniel Vettori`s New Zealand in South Africa today in the final of the Champions Trophy. Australia come into the game having crushed England, scoring 258-1 and being unlucky not to see England post a far lower score. New Zealand, who had also taken England apart in this competition, got to the final by beating a Pakistan side with a very strong bowling attack by five wickets, with captain Vettori taking three wickets.

Australia are favourites for this game after their dominant display against England, and are priced at 4/9 (bet $90 to win $40 profit). New Zealand are at 2/1, despite putting on a remarkably good performance themselves in their semi-final.

The Aussies are in world-beating form at the moment, winning eight of their last ten matches, but the Black Caps have only won four of their last ten.

Historically, Australia are a long way in front of their rivals, with eighty wins to New Zealand`s thirty two and five no results. However, the last five meetings have been split two wins apiece, while the most recent clash, in February, ended without a result.

Captain Ricky Ponting is favourite at 5/2 to be his side`s best batsman after scoring an unbeaten 111 in the semis. Shane Watson, who scored 136 not out, is next at 7/2. Michael Hussey is third favourite at 9/2. For New Zealand, Brendan McCullum is favourite to top his team`s charts at 7/2, followed by Martin Guptill and Aaron Redmond both at 9/2.

Looking at bowling, Shane Watson is favourite to be the best for Australia at 13/2, ahead of Peter Siddle at 2/1 and Brett Lee at 9/2. Captain Vettori is favourite for New Zealand at evens, ahead of Kyle Mills at 5/2 and Shane Bond at 11/2.

ICC Cricket Champions Trophy Final -Australia vs New Zealand betting odds