The five-game T20 series between Australia and New Zealand is in the balance on Friday after the Aussies got one back over the Black Caps on Wednesday night.
We’ve analysed the form leading into this fourth game and now it’s time to smash the best bets for six!
HEAD TO HEAD
5th March 5:00pm
Australia simply outclassed New Zealand in the third T20 as a change of fortune for Aaron Finch and a crafty display by spinner Ashton Agar kept the five game series alive.
Finch emerged from his T20 slump with his first half-century in 27 innings, Glenn Maxwell turned on the pyrotechnics with some thrilling strokeplay, and Ashton Agar bettered his own record for Australia’s best T20I figures as they kept the series alive with a 64-run victory in the third game at an empty stadium in Wellington.
Riley Meredith made an eye-catching debut with his pace helping take crucial early wickets even as New Zealand initially managed to keep up with the steep asking rate, but couldn’t maintain it to make a serious dip at the target.
In the first half, the foundation for Australia was laid by a stand of 83 between Finch and Josh Philippe, and the latter part of the innings was powered by Maxwell’s 31-ball 70 of which 62 runs came in boundaries.
The eight overs from 10 to 18 brought 105 runs before New Zealand pulled it back somewhat.
Martin Guptill and Devon Conway played well in the chase, but Agar took three wickets in the 13th over to end the contest on his way to a six-wicket haul – just the fourth bowler to achieve that feat in T20Is while also becoming the sixth to take multiple five-wicket hauls in the format.
This match will mark the second T20 against these nations where no crowds will be present at the stadium and that will suit Australia well, as it did on Wednesday.
It looks as though the Aussies have settled into New Zealand and after being heavily backed to win the third game we are confident it can repeat the dose on Friday evening to level the series up at two-all.
Suggested Bet: Australia head to head at $1.84
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Australia to Win
Leg 2: Martin Guptill 10+ Runs
Leg 3: Aaron Finch 20+ Runs
Combined Odds: $4.6
TOP BATSMAN
Aaron finch & Martin Guptill
Australia
It was a matter of millimetres between Finch’s lean run continuing and the turnaround he was able to achieve.
Facing his first ball of the match from Tim Southee, a good-length delivery seamed back into the pads – an angle of attack that has often troubled Finch – and brought a huge lbw appeal.
It was given not out on the field and New Zealand reviewed with Finch saved by the umpire’s call, the ball taking a good chunk of leg stump but not quite enough.
Finch would go on to score 69 runs and only just miss out on being the top Australian batsman,
That mantle was taken by Glenn Maxwell who produced a swashbuckling display with the willow and even managed to break a vacant seat in the grandstand.
HIs 70 runs off a mere 31 deliveries was the highlight of the innings and proved why he is the premier international batsman in this format of the game.
Josh Phillipe also continued to find his feet at international level helping set the foundation with a quick-fire 43 runs from first drop.
As always, it’s a difficult market to split, especially now given the form Finch and Maxwell are in.
Finch would have felt the weight of the world come off his shoulders on Wednesday and he should be able to play with freedom now.
Suggested Bet: Aaron Finch top Australian batsman at $3.4
New Zealand
Martin Guptill and Devon Conway fared well with the bat in the run chase.
Guptill opened the batting to hit 43 runs off his 28 balls while Conway tried valiantly to stop the Aussie onslaught as he managed to score 38 off 27.
Tim Seifort was disappointing with the bat yet again after his standout form against Pakistan in December 2020.
Kane Williamson was also left wanting after being dismissed cheaply again but it must be noted the market is still respecting his class and has installed him as a $3.1 favourite.
Guptill looks the way to go again here. He was brave in the face of adversity in the third T20 and it’s surprising not to see him favourite in this one.
Suggested Bet: Martin Guptill top New Zealand batsman at $3.10
TOP BOWLER
JHYE richardson & ish sodhi
Australia
Riley Meredith made an eye-catching debut with his pace helping take crucial early wickets.
He would end up with figures of 2-24 but it was spinner Ashton Agar who made the headlines.
Agar was the clear standout with his left arm orthodox spinners wreaking havoc on the New Zealand batting line-up.
Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa were both economical and took a wicket each.
Jhye Richardson would have been disappointed with his output after going for 34 runs off his three overs and failing to take a wicket. He did start favourite to lead the bowling for Australia and as always must be respected.
Picking him to bounce back in this one. He seems to the one people are ignoring.
Suggested Bet: Jhye Richardson top Australian bowler at $3.5
New Zealand
Ish Sodhi got over the line as our suggested bet in the top New Zealand bowler markets in the third test.
He played a lone hand with the ball taking two for 32 as his teammates were belted to all parts of the oval.
Tim Southee and Trent Boult were the only other bowlers to take wickets but they did so at an expensive rate.
Southee would go for 9.25 runs an over while Boult went at 9.75 runs.
The Kiwi pace bowlers have been disappointing this series and it is their spinners who have done the job.
Expecting the same to occur again.
Suggested Bet: Ish Sodhi top New Zealand bowler at $3.3
