Plenty of International Cricket to sink the teeth into. Check out the quick version of each series below:
New Zealand v Pakistan
Australia came to Abu Dhabi, saw Younis bat, and got royally conquered. Now it’s New Zealand’s turn to experience the formidable Pakistan batting unit, that has settled in on the Abu Dhabi pitches like a homeless man at an affluent street corner. The first test is already underway, and has essentially already been decided. The top five for Pakistan all made over 80 for the first time in Test cricket; they made 566/3d. But Luxbet still has them at $1.75 and $2 on the draw.
New Zealand batsmen traditionally struggle against quality spin bowling, and while the Pakistan duo (trio if you include Mohammad Hafeez) are relatively inexperienced, they dismantled the Australians, and will extract plenty of venom from a pitch already turning and bouncing. New Zealand’s best players of spin are Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor who entered this game with some injury concerns which has limited their batting time. This will increase the susceptibility of a big defeat and may also mean others get the opportunity to shine. BJ Watling is an excellent player of the sweep shot and looks a good bet for top runscorer for the Black Caps.
Look for spinners to dominate the leading wicket-takers for the rest of the series if you can find series betting. Pakistan 2-0 with New Zealand scraping a draw in the last of the International Cricket three match series.
Australia v South Africa
International Cricket is also in Australia at the moment as South Africa and Australia fine tune their World Cup preparations with a (recently completed) three match T20 series (won by Australia, 2-1) and five ODI’s. While the B sides battled it out in the hit and giggle version of International Cricket, the ODI’s will be a much sterner test for both sides and I’m picking this to be a mightily close series. The Aussies need to bring some respectability back to their summer game after the aforementioned spanking at the hands of Pakistan. Whereas the South Africans were very strong against New Zealand in a hasty three match series played before they crossed over the Australia soil.
Bet365 have instilled Australia as $1.66 series winner favourites with South Africa paying $2.20. In the personal stakes, Michael Clarke looks a great top run getter options at $6. Faf du Plessis looks sensible at $4.50. Draw permitting this could well be a World Cup Final next year so I’m expecting some high quality cricket and high scores. The big grounds and flat pitches in Australia are conducive to quality one day cricket.
India v Sri Lanka
Filling in for the West Indies, who inexplicably pulled out of a partially completed Indian tour, the Sri Lankan’s have found it difficult to compete with the star-studded Indian line-up. Already two down, the tourists will need something special to contain the likes of Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dawan, Ambati Rayadu, and Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane. That said, the resting of MS Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan and Ravindra Jadeja will give Sri Lanka a chance to salvage some pride.
The Indian batting lineup has been far too dominant early in this series and their bowlers have had the uncanny knack of starting with very early wickets. That combination makes it hard to suggest any other winner than India. Sportingbet Australia are offering odds on this International Cricket match. They have India at $1.42, Sri Lanka at $2.85. If Robin Uthappa gets a go in the last two games whack a couple of quid on him to top score. He’s paying $7.50 to do so in the 4th ODI.
Zimbabwe v Bangladesh
Our International Cricket roundup finishes in Chittagong. The 3rd test looms as another one-sided contest. In Tamin Iqbal, Sahib Al-Hassan, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh have the best players on display and will again be too strong. Don’t look to back any individual players who are not the four listed above.
Betfair Australia has Zimbabwe as rank outsiders at $7.40 for the third test. Bangladesh are at $1.69. The draw is actually quite attractive at $3.55.
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.
