New Zealand v Australia Test Series....Close Shaves

By Bigjoe

Commences Thursday 18th March, 22.00 GMT

The Aussies won a close ODI series 3-2, thereby continuing their impressive recent run in this format that has seen them soar to the top of the ODI rankings.

We now move onto this mini two Test series and things have not gone so well for Australia in this format over the last couple of years. After dominating for over a decade, they find themselves ranked 3rd after notable series losses against South Africa, India and against England in the Ashes.

Thr Mar 18 - Mon Mar 22 22:00 GMT	1st Test - Basin Reserve, Wellington
Fri Mar 27 - Tue Mar 30 22:00 GMT	2nd Test - Seddon Park, Hamilton

In amongst that though they did win the return series in South Africa and both the recent home series against West Indies and Pakistan. The scorelines of 2-0 and 3-0 against Windies and Pakistan respectively however do not tell the whole story. They had close shaves against both opponents and the series were a lot closer then those scorelines suggest.

West Indies came within 36 runs of squaring the series at Perth and Pakistan somehow managed to grab defeat from the Jaws of victory at Sydney as they too fell 36 runs of victory there. These close shaves against lower ranked teams for Australia are indicative of their demise in this format and this series against the Kiwis could prove to be another close affair.

There is an inexperienced look to the Kiwis for these Tests. They still missing big hitting Jesse Ryder and an unfamiliar top order of McIntosh, Watling and Ingram will be tested to the full. The middle and late order of Guptil, Taylor, McCullum and Vettori is more recognisable and will represent

Back for Australia Michael Clarke

the biggest threat to the Aussies. On the bowling front Tuffey, Martin and Southee usually perform better on their home tracks and the Aussies will be making a big mistake if they under estimate their threat.

Australia welcome back Michael Clarke after he missed most of the ODI series due to some domestic problems. Test specialists Katich and North return and along with Ponting, Hussey and Watson this represents a strong batting lineup. It’s on the bowling front however that the Aussies could be vulnerable. Harris, Bollinger and Hauritz are still relatively inexperienced in this format and the Kiwi’s will not be too much in awe of them as they have against previously strong Aussie attacks.

Australia are short odds on to win this series. I believe their inconsistent form in recent Test series away from home makes it worthwhile opposing them, especially against a Kiwi side that has a habit of punching above their weight in games against their old enemy.

I am confident that this will be a closer series then the market expects. I believe the Kiwis are capable of at least drawing this series and therefore my suggested bets are:

In The Series Outright Market:

LAY Australia for 3 points Liability @ 1.46 on Betfair .

In The Series Correct Score Market:

BACK New Zealand to win1-0 for 1 point @ 13.0 at Totesport, Ladbrokes

BACK 1-1 Drawn Series for 1 point @ 7.0 at Bluesq , 888Sport

Bigjoe