Twenty20 / Andrew Hughes / 04 May 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

New Zealand already have one foot in the Super Eights and victory over Zimbabwe should be a mere formality, shouldn't it? Andrew Hughes asks whether there could be a surprise in the final game of Group B.

Venue and Conditions

The curator of the Providence Stadium left more grass on the wicket than usual for Friday's opening games, but this just added some variable bounce to an already sluggish wicket. This will be the fifth game played here and we can expect some deterioration and even more grip and turn for the spinners.

Team News

New Zealand are unlikely to make any changes, unless they want to keep Shane Bond fresh for the Super Eights, in which case Kyle Mills will return to the team.

Zimbabwe's main issue is which player will get the solitary seam bowlers slot. Chris Mpofu is likely to miss out in favour of either Andy Blignaut or Chamu Chibhabha, both of whom offer more with the bat.

Match Odds

New Zealand are obviously much the better of these two teams and have now played three games on this surface, so they have fully adjusted to the conditions and with confidence high after their opening day victory against Sri Lanka, they are strong [1.18] favourites to cement their place in the Super Eights here.

Nevertheless, the Black Caps can't afford to take their opponents lightly. Of all the minnows in this tournament, Zimbabwe are the best equipped for the conditions, packed with spin bowlers and with a recent tour of the Caribbean under their belts, including a Twenty20 victory. Odds of [5.5] underestimate the men in red.

Top Batsman

Jesse Ryder looked in great touch on Friday and with fellow IPL stars Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor not as fluent in recent weeks, it could pay to side with the big guy at [4.0] or better in the top New Zealand batsman market.

Elton Chigumbura hit 76 in the warm up game against Australia, but bats too low in the order to be considered and preference is for opener Hamilton Masakadza who averages 37.75 in this format and should be backed at [4.0] or better.

Featured Market

Brendon McCullum looks out of sorts, whilst his fellow opener appears keen to make up for lost time after his injury lay off. Back Ryder in the B.McCullum v Ryder market at [2.0] or better.

Trivia

In 2004, Tatenda Taibu became the youngest skipper in international cricket when he was made captain of Zimbabwe at the age of 20.

Andrew Hughes says: Back Hamilton Masakadza to top score for Zimbabwe at [4.0]