Cricket World Cup Tips and Previews, Nov 15-16
India vs. New Zealand
15th November
When they last met: IND won by 4 wickets (12 balls remaining).
The ODI World Cup semi-finals kick off with a blockbuster encounter between the undefeated hometown favourites and New Zealand on Wednesday night.
Two sides on opposite ends of the form scale, the 9-0 Indians will enter the match as $1.30 favourites with Bet Nation following their faultless and ruthless tournament to date.
After kicking off their campaign with a dominant six-wicket victory over Australia, Rohit Sharma and his chargers have gone from strength to strength and finished the Group Stage with brutal wins over England (100 runs), Sri Lanka (302), South Africa (243) and Netherlands (160).
Virat Kohli has been the main destroyer as the #1-ranked batsman with 594 runs at 99, while Rohit (4th with 503) and Shreyas Iyer (8th with 421) give India three bats in the top 10.
Despite all their dominance over the past month, however, the Indians will be wary of the New Zealanders after the two sides played out the home team’s closest result in Game 21. They edged past the Kiwis by four wickets on the back of a five-for from Mohammad Shami and 95 runs from Kohli, but they were certainly made to work for it after Daryl Mitchell smacked 130.
Since opening their tournament with four consecutive wins, it’s all been downhill for the Kiwis as they suffered four straight losses. Thankfully, they found some form with a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Thursday night, but as the market suggests, they will likely be outclassed in this one.
Rachin Ravindra has been the find of the World Cup with 565 runs at 70.62 for the Kiwis, but he will need the likes of Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway to come with him if they are to stand a chance.
While it was promising to see the Kiwis bounce back into the winner’s stall, it should be short-lived against the might of Rohit, Kohli et al.
Suggested Bet:
S. Iyer top Indian batsman at $2.50
South Africa vs. Australia
16th November
When they last met: SA won by 134 runs.
Certainly a more even match-up than the first semi-final, Australia will look to continue their seven-game winning streak when they face South Africa at Eden Gardens on Thursday.
After being dismantled by India (six wickets) and the Proteas (134 runs) in their first two World Cup matches, the Australians have been flawless in their pursuit of a record sixth ODI World Cup with seven straight against the likes of England, New Zealand, and Pakistan.
Their thrilling win over Afghanistan got tongues wagging all over the world as Glenn Maxwell saved his side with 201* (128) in what has since been dubbed the greatest ODI innings of all time. After sitting out the final match due to exhaustion, Mitchell Marsh took the reins with 177 (132) against Bangladesh, giving the Aussies multiple in-form match-winners heading into finals.
The Proteas have been equally as impressive during their campaign, with just the two losses and the #2-ranked batsman, Quinton de Kock (591 at 65.66). De Kock has been unstoppable at the top of the order, with the keeper-batsman belting four centuries at a strike rate of 109.24. He’s been assisted by Rassie van der Dussen (442 at 55.25) as South Africa scored 300+ five times.
The Aussies are $1.68 with Bet Nation, but it’s a mouthwatering match-up that could go either way.
