Australia vs. New Zealand 2nd ODI betting news & free tips

AUSTRALIA will look to wrap up the 2016 Chappell-Hadlee Trophy on Tuesday after defeating New Zealand by 68 runs in Sydney to take a 1-0 series lead.

Steve Smith was the hero with a true captain’s knock of 164 and a blinding one-handed catch in the gully to dismiss Kiwi keeper BJ Watling during a crucial phase of the game.

Online bookmaker Bet365.com has the Aussie skipper and his vice captain, David Warner, as the $9 equal favourites to pick up the man of the match award in Canberra on Tuesday.

The pair also head the best batsman betting at Sportsbet on $3.75 apiece, while Martin Guptill has shortened to $3.40 to top NZ’s innings after smashing a superb 114 at the SCG.

Much was made of the home side’s decision to play Travis Head instead of Glenn Maxwell, who was fined last week over his controversial comments about batting below Australia and Victoria wicketkeeper Matthew Wade at state level.

But 22-year-old Head justified his selection by knocking 52 in a match-turning partnership of 127 runs after coming to the crease with the Aussies at 4/92.

“When he came out to bat, we were just communicating, saying that we’d try and get through to about 40 overs and then we’d have a bit of a crack at them,” Smith said after the match on Sunday.

“We were able to still play quit positively through that period and score five an over, so we set ourselves up nicely with that partnership and I thought the way he played was beautiful, he obviously got dropped that one at mid-off, but besides that I think he played some really good cricket.

“And it was nice to see Matthew Wade come in at the end and play a good little cameo as well.”

Of Head, Smith add: “It looks like he’s improving every game, he’s in good form, coming off the back of a hundred last week in the Shield, so he’s playing some good cricket and I’m sure he’s going to continue to improve.”

The outcome might have been altogether different if the New Zealanders had taken their chances in the field.

Both Smith and Head should have been out early – the former on 14 when a strong LBW shout went unreviewed, the latter in single digits as Matt Henry bungled an easy catch at mid-off.

The visitors also succumbed to some avoidable dismissals with the bat in hand.

Tom Latham chopped on cutting far too close to his body, Kane Williamson nicked out to a wide sucker ball from Josh Hazlewood and James Neesham, going nicely on 34, skied one trying to hit Mitchell Starc into Sydney Harbour.

It’s tough to criticise a man in triple figures, but Guptill would love his time again after shelling a rank Adam Zampa long hop straight down mid-wicket’s throat.

Had he stayed at the crease and built on his promising partnership with Colin Munro, the Black Caps would have been a real chance to chase down the 325 runs required for victory.

They enjoyed the raw pace of Pat Cummins, dishing out much the same treatment as the Aussies gave debutant NZ speedster Lockie Ferguson.

Those two are perhaps the only obvious selection queries for Tuesday at Manuka.

Australia can call on James Faulkner or Hilton Cartwright if an extra allrounder is needed, while the experienced Tim Southee is waiting in the wings for New Zealand.

Aaron Finch top batsman specials

It might seem odd to plump for a guy who is fresh off a golden duck, but there is some sort of method to our madness.

Finch hit a match-saving hundred in the Sheffield Shield just last week and knocked a hat-trick of 50s in his three outings for Victoria in the 2016 Matador Cup in October.

On top of that, he has serious priors at Canberra.

The 30-year-old Vic has tonned up on his last two ODI appearances at Manuka Oval: the first against South Africa in 2014, the second against India in January this year.

Give him a few balls to get his eye in on that slogger’s paradise and he may just go for the treble.

Man of the match – $10 at William Hill

To score 100 – $8 at CrownBet

Top match batsman – $7 at Sportsbet

Top Australia batsman – $5 at CrownBet

To score 50 – $2.78 at Sportsbet

To outscore Latham and Williamson – $2.80 at Sportsbet

Martin Guptill betting specials

It’s always a batter’s game at Canberra, and that should play right into Guptill’s hands.

The Kiwi opener was terrific on Sunday, blasting his side into a decent chasing position before holing out to a ball that should’ve found the fence.

Nobody hits a better straight six than this guy, so the Australian bowlers will have to be very canny with their lines and lengths on a Manuka pitch that shouldn’t offer much lateral movement.

This ground has already played host to a One Day International double century: Chris Gayle’s 215 against Zimbabwe at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Guptill also bagged a double ton in that tournament and could score anything if he gets on top of the Aussie attack again.

Man of the match – $13 at Bet365

To score 100 – $7 at CrownBet

Top match batsman – $5.50 at Sportsbet

Top New Zealand batsman – $4.75 at Bet365

To score 50 – $2.39 at Sportsbet

Over/under 36.5 runs – $1.90 at William Hill