Australia and New Zealand have just finished Test Series against South Africa and Pakistan respectively, but there is no rest for either and they will do battle in an ODI Series that gets underway on Sunday.
Australia currently sit on top of the ICC ODI Rankings, but New Zealand are poised in third and have been excellent in the white-ball game over the past couple of years.
Can New Zealand inflict a sixth straight ODI defeat on Australia or will Australia build on their momentum? I have analysed the make-up of both sides and you can find a host of recommended betting plays below.
Head To Head Betting
Australia will start this clash as favourites at a quote of $1.50, but the market is keeping New Zealand fairly safe at a price of $2.63.
New Zealand are currently the holders Chappell-Hadlee Trophy and their form in the ODI arena can’t be knocked.
They were able to win two games against India on foreign soil and before that they had not lost an ODI series for over a 12 months.
In contrast, Australia have lost five ODI games on the trot and they last time that they won in this form of the game was against Ireland in September.
They are the number one team in the world and they deserve to be favourites, but I can’t get them as short as their current price and it is New Zealand that offer the value.
Back New Zealand To Win @ $2.63
Top Australia 1st Innings Runscorer
David Warner ($3.75) is a narrow favourite in Top Australia 1st Innings Runscorer from Aaron Finch ($4.50), Steve Smith ($4.50), George Bailey ($6) and Travis Head ($7).
Steve Smith and David Warner both have excellent records at the SCG, but Warner does not have the best record against New Zealand and it is Smith that represents excellent value at his current quote of $4.50
Back Steve Smith ($4.50) to be Australia’s Top 1st Innings Runscorer
Top New Zealand 1st Innings Runscorer
There is no doubt that Kane Williamson is the most talented batsman in the New Zealand line-up and it should come as no surprise that he is a clear favourite at a price of $3.50 from Martin Guptill ($5), Tom Latham ($5) and Henry Nicholls ($6.50).
Williamson is a deserving favourite and has a great record against Australia, but Guptill is capable of some absolute brilliance on his day and he has the advantage of opening the batting on what should be a lovely pitch.
Back Martin Guptill ($5) to be New Zealand’s top batsman