Can a European minnow upset a test playing favourite for the second day in a row? Find out below in our preview of today’s matchup where we also answer three big Cricket World Cup questions.
The Three Big Questions
Who is topping the run scoring ladder- have the markets moved?
All teams bar two (Bangladesh and Afghanistan) have played a game thus far, and five players have made centuries. David Miller, Aaron Finch, JP Duminy, Virat Kohli and Lendl Simmons are those players and the odds reflect the early results. The outright market sees Finch at $8, Kohli at $9 and New Zealanders, Williamson and McCullum also being tipped after first up fifties. Hashim Amla, Ab de Villiers and Steven Smith (he’s gone out to $34.00 from $15) are the big losers, but with 8 games still to play there’s no cause for panic just yet.
Who is topping the wicket taking ladder- have the markets moved?
Three five wicket bags have also adjusted the top bowling markets (Steven Finn, Mitchell Marsh, Sohail Khan). However, two of those bowling efforts were genuine surprises and haven’t resulted in significant market fluctuation. Steven Finn, who is arguably the best out and out bowler of the front runners has shortened to $10.00, joining Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson, who both took 2 wickets against England, as the front runners. Daniel Vettori looks to be the smokey at $41.00.
Are the West Indies in crisis mode?
Contract disputes, bilateral series walk offs, strange selection choices, and inconsistent form have undoubtedly been playing on the mind of the West Indies players over the last few months, and the weight of it all is clearly starting to affect their cricket. The West Indies are looking increasingly ragged, and the laid back nature that has always been a feature of their play is now looking more like discontent. Hopefully, Darren Sammy’s words have some meaning behind them – “It’s one game, we still believe.”
Today’s Matchup
New Zealand v Scotland, University Oval (Dunedin – fine weather all day), 11:00am local time
New Zealand – $1.01
Scotland – $17.00
New Zealand get the chance to lay down another World Cup marker in their second match against the unlikely Scots in Dunedin today. Looking to build on a strong opening against Sri Lanka the Black Caps will need to be careful of a Scotland side that gave a New Zealand XI (featuring Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori) an almighty scare when they toured before Christmas. The New Zealand XI side won that match by a solitary run, and Scotland could use that experience as the platform for a sneaky upset today. Scotland have been excellent in their two warm up games, making 296 and 310 in their two efforts.
Today’s Bet
Martin Guptill to score more than 48.5 – $2.35
(Guptill plays well against lesser nations (sorry Scotland) and showed promise in his first up effort against Sri Lanka).
Odds from Sportsbet Australia.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
