Australia v New Zealand –
Super 8 Match

Whilst this is technically a dead rubber, both teams will want to put down a marker for a potential World Cup Final match up. New Zealand will be without inspirational all-rounder Jake Oram due to a heel injury, and Australia will welcome winker Watson back into the fold. The jury is out as to whether this actually strengthens their team or not but the petulant Queenslander at least will be happy to be back. If you must have a bet then the $1.44 at Hills, or $1.43 at Sportsbet is OK, though a little too marginal for me to tip – the Kiwis have a good record against Australia of late, but the Aussies rarely lose the matches that matter. If you want a patriotic bet on Punter and co., I won’t put you off it.

For me, Ricky Ponting is still the best One-Day batsman in the world regardless of what the rankings say and the diminutive skipper tends to save his best for the latter stages of big tournaments. Expekt have matched him up with Scott ‘the virus’ Styris in a runs match bet and have made Ponting $1.85 favourite. Though Styris has had a brilliant tournament to date he is not in the same class as RP and Ponting should be as short as $1.70-$1.75 – he is just so consistent. Have three points on the skipper and enjoy watching him go out there and smash it elegantly to all parts, as long as 007 doesn’t clean him up early.
Ricky Ponting v Scott Styris runs match bet, 3 pts at $1.85: Expekt.

With Oram out, there are a couple of small top New Zealand run scorer bets at Sportsbet. Firstly Craig McMillan should be backed at 9/1. He is definitely hit and miss, Macca, but he tends to reserve his best for the Aussies, and may well be promoted to number 5 in Oram’s absence. I wouldn’t be much shorter than the 9s, maybe 7 or 15/2, so we’ll just have half a point. James Franklin wouldn’t normally have too many opportunities to top score for the Black Caps, but he is definitely capable – even coming in as low as 9. He has a Test hundred to his name and can hit a long ball if need be. We’d obviously need the Kiwis skittled for not many for him to be in with a chance but the 100/1 is a nice big price. I wouldn’t suggest anymore than 1/10th of a point! Just a fun one this and we’re probably chucking our money down the drain.
Craig McMillan top New Zealand run scorer, ½ pt at $10.00: Sportsbet.

James Franklin wouldn’t normally have too many opportunities to top score for the Black Caps, but tonight he may have all the opportunity in the world. There is talk of him being promoted to bat at number six, in the absence of Jacob Oram, in order that they don’t have to tinker with their batting line up too much. Whilst he is no number 6 he is definitely a capable player - he has a Test hundred to his name and can hit a long ball if need be. If the ball does a little early on they could easily be three or four down for zip and then suddenly the big numbers about Franklin are looking very juicy indeed. Sportsbet have gone $101 but there is 50s at stan and 40s generally available. I’m sure if you have a hunt you should find somewhere you can back him at 50s. Have between ½ and 1 ½ points on him, depending on what price you get, and hope Shaun Tait rips through the top order like a knife through butter. I’d be 20/1 about him so don’t back him any lower than 33/1.
James Franklin top New Zealand run scorer, 1 pt at $101.00: Sportsbet.

Plays of the day

Ricky Ponting v Scott Styris runs match bet, 3 pts at $1.85: Expekt.
Craig McMillan top New Zealand run scorer, ½ pt at $10.00: Sportsbet.
James Franklin top New Zealand run scorer, 1 ½ pt at $101.00: Sportsbet.