Cricket: 1st T20 International - New Zealand v Zimbabwe Odds and Betting Preview

Story by George Coombs on 2012-02-10 18:25:20

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – New Zealand host Zimbabwe at Auckland in the first of two international matches on Saturday.  The Black Caps beat the tourists in their one off Test match before thumping them 3-0 in their ODI series and they will look continue their dominance in this the shortest form of the game. New Zealand will know they cannot afford to slip up against weak opposition as they continue to build to the World Twenty20 which is set to take place in September of this year.

New Zealand have been installed as the very short 1/7 favourites (bet £7 to make £1 profit) for this international while Zimbabwe are an industry best price of 6/1 with bet365. The visitors have only won three from the 18 Twenty20 matches they have been involved in and face a daunting task to add to their record here.

New Zealand need to play with the same intensity that they have shown throughout Zimbabwe’s tour to ensure they continue to build momentum and confidence before some more challenging assignments in the coming months. The Black Caps face two injury concerns in the build up to this game as both Martin Guptill and Jacob Oram both left the field in Napier but they are expected to play in Auckland. Colin de Grandhomme looks set to face his countrymen and the Harare-born all-rounder will add power to the New Zealand top order.

Zimbabwe are an inexperienced side in this format of the game with having played very few games at international level. Zimbabwe will come into this game having been outplayed and outclassed on this tour and their young side will be short of confidence. The newly created Zimbabwe domestic T20 tournament should help their squad but there still remains a gulf in class between the nations which doesn’t look set to diminish even in this shorter format of the game.

In the Top New Zealand Batsman betting, Martin Guptill is the 11/4 market leader with Boylesports and he has enjoyed a good time with the bat recently scoring 70 and 77 runs in the opening  two ODIs before picking up a slight groin strain last time out. Rob Nicol is a general 3/1 chance while skipper Brendon McCullum is a standout 10/3 with Paddy Power. McCullum is one of the most destructive batsman in World cricket in this format as shown by his 116 not out against Australia in 2010. Jacob Oram is a best price of 9/1 with William Hill while Colin de Grandhomme is priced at 12/1 with Ladbrokes to top score against his country of birth.

Zimbabwe’s batting line-up has found it difficult to score runs on this tour but Brendan Taylor has been the pick of their top order and has been installed as the 3/1 favourite with Stan James in the Top Zimbabwe Batsman betting today. Taylor top-scored in the third ODI with 65 runs and he is the most consistent player Zimbabwe have to offer. Stuart Matsikenyeri and Regis Chakabva look set to open the batting for the visitors and the pair can be backed at 5/1 and 10/1 respectively with Skybet. Tatenda Taibu is the most experienced member of the side and can be backed at 5/1 with BetVictor to contribute with a big score here. Down the order Elton Chigumbura is an explosive batsman and he could be given the freedom to swing his arm and is priced up at 10/1 with bet365.

In the Most Sixes betting, New Zealand are available at  4/7 with BetVictor as this should be a very one-sided contest with a batting line-up full of seasoned internationals. Zimbabwe are quoted at 3/1 with bet365 while a draw is a 13/2 chance with the same firm in this market.

Play begins at 06.00 GMT on Saturday 11th February.

New Zealand v Zimbabwe – Match Result Odds
New Zealand v Zimbabwe – Top New Zealand Batsman Odds
New Zealand v Zimbabwe – Top Zimbabwe Batsman Odds
New Zealand v Zimbabwe – Most Sixes Betting