Our featured ICC Cricket World Cup action on Saturday comes from Dharamsala and it's a big one as Australia clash with New Zealand
Australia
After losing their first 2 matches to India (by 6 wickets) and South Africa (134 runs) Australia are repairing the damage with 3 wins from their last 3 matches.
The recovery started with a 5 wicket win over Sri Lanka and continued with a 62 run victory over Pakistan. Most recently they thrashed the Netherlands by 309 runs in Delhi, posting 399/8 (Warner 104, Maxwell 106) and bowling the Dutch out for just 90 (Zampa 4/8 from 3 overs).
After this Australia will face England, Afghanistan and finally Bangladesh
Squads and Team News
This was how Australia lined up last time out.
David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
Did not play: Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Sean Abbott
New Zealand
New Zealand have 4 wins and 1 defeat against their name. They won their first 4 matches, thrashing England by 9 wickets and the Netherlands by 99 runs, then Bangladesh by 8 wickets and Afghanistan by 149 runs.
Their only defeat came at Dharamsala last weekend when they went down to India by 4 wickets. Batting first NZ posted 273 with Daryl Mitchell top scoring with 130 and Ravindra made 75. India's top order made a solid start to the chase and although Ferguson took 2 wickets and Santner returned figures of 1/37, India got up with 2 overs to spare.
After this New Zealand will face South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
Squads and Team News
This was how New Zealand lined up last time out.
Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c & wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Did not play: Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, James Neesham (Kane Williamson injured).
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 141 times with Australia winning 95 to New Zealand's 35 with 7 no results
The teams last met in a 3 match series in Australia in September 2022 and Australia won 3-0
Australia have won each of the last 5 completed head to heads
In CWC 2019 Australia beat New Zealand by 86 runs
The Betting
Australia are currently trading at around 6/10 to win the game and New Zealand can be backed at around 12/10
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
After a poor start Australia have built momentum but despite a few injury problems New Zealand have done little wrong and confidence should still be high despite the defeat to India.
Mitch Santner was the pick of the NZ bowlers here last time out and gets the vote to be NZ's top wicket taker whilst Zampa's form makes him the choice in the equivalent market for the Aussies. .
For the price boost interest I'm with Glen Maxwell to hit a s ix and take a wicket
Bets: Top NZ Wicket Taker Santner at 7/2 with Sportingbet
Top Australian Wicket Taker Zampa at 3/1 with Sportingbet
Glen Maxwell to hit a six and take a wicket was 2/1 now 11/4 with Sportingbet
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
Discussion Forum
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