It’s time for the big dogs to join in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup festivities!
Trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand will kick off the Super 12 stage of the tournament on Saturday night at the SCG in front of a packed house.
Both teams are highly fancied to win this tournament, so it’s sure to be an enthralling opening contest.
Josh Nevett takes a close look at the game with his free preview and cricket betting tips below.
Australia vs New Zealand T20 Preview & Betting Tips
SCG, Sydney, Saturday October 22nd, 6:00pm (AEDT)
Squads
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, Martin Guptill, Lachlan Ferguson, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Trent Boult, Finn Allen.
Match Preview
These two sides faced off not so long ago, with Australia clean sweeping the three-game ODI series on home soil.
The short and sharp series further exposed New Zealand’s well-documented struggles on Australian soil, a weakness that hinders them heading into this tournament. However, the Black Caps are still among the best T20 teams in the world – just one year ago they played in the 2021 T20 World Cup Final against Australia.
New Zealand’s squad for this edition is strong – Devon Conway has been in great form with the bat and he has ample support in Williamson, Guptill, Neesham and co. With the ball, Trent Boult is a proven wicket-taker in this format. The latter will have a key role to play in this game, as he has historically performed well against Australian batsmen Aaron Finch and Matthew Wade (three dismissals in 23 T20 deliveries).
Australia will also be confident heading into this tournament, with a near full-strength squad selected. Josh Inglis is a late omission due to a freak accident on the golf course which resulted in a serious hand injury, however he is ably replaced by Cameron Green. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Patrick Cummins will lead the pace attack, while Adam Zampa bowls very well on home soil. David Warner is in fine form with the bat, and there is power right down the order. Ultimately, I think it’s that power which will see Australia claim victory in this fixture.
Only one of Warner, Marsh, Maxwell or Stoinis needs to fire for the hosts to put up an impressive total, and I’m backing that group to get the job done.
NOTE: Rain could heavily influence the outcome of this game. There is a 90% chance of rain in Sydney on Saturday night and the city is a magnet for downpours.
Prop Bets
Conway averages over 50 in T20 International cricket, and 56 this year. He has a high score of 99* against Australia and has been at the top of his game recently, so I’m expecting him to top 20 against the Aussies.
Devon Conway 20+ Runs $1.72 (Ladbrokes)
Boult was the top wicket-taker in each of the three ODIs against Australia earlier this year, taking 10 wickets for the series. He is a gun in this format of the game and will fancy his chances to knock over an out of form Aaron Finch, as well as some of the middle order in the death overs.
New Zealand Most Wickets – Trent Boult $3.50 (Ladbrokes)
