Aussies wary of Black Caps
Australia, as always begin another series as favourites but they will be wary of New Zealand when they meet their closest enemies in the first of three one-day internationals in Auckland on Saturday
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The absence of Stephen Fleming - after surgery to remove a tumour in his jaw-line - is clearly a blow to New Zealand, but they will welcome back Chris Cairns and Jacob Oram to the side. Cairns, in particular, is a superb player who can turn a game in the space of an over or two. His presence was clearly missed in the series against South Africa and he can inspire his team-mates to great things. Another plus for New Zealand is that Glenn McGrath, the tormentor of every batting line-up, is taking a rest and will not play in any of the three games.
Auckland has not been that happy a hunting ground for New Zealand over the years with only 25 wins in 52 one-day internationals there. It's no better against Australia, either, as they have won four and lost eight of the 12 games. In fact, Australia have won 15 of the last 20 one-day internationals between the two sides, including each of the past six matches. bet365 clearly think Saturday will bring more misery for New Zealand as they make the Black Caps 15/8 (2.87) outsiders to claim victory, while Australia are big favourites at 4/11 (1.36).
With Fleming absent, Nathan Astle is favourite at 4/1 (5.00) to top-score for New Zealand, closely followed by Scott Styris at 9/2 (5.50) and Hamish Marshall and Lou Vincent at 5/1 (6.00). Cairns looks good value at 7/1 (8.00) though. At the age of 35, his international days are surely numbered and though he will harbour hopes of making the 2007 World Cup, he knows he must perform week in week out to stay in contention.
The Aussies again shuffle their squad to the one-day format and vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, who had asked for a rest, is a slight surprise to be favourite at 100/30 (4.33). Captain Ricky Ponting is next at 7/2 (4.50) while Michael Clarke, Simon Katich and Michael Hussey are all 5/1 (6.00). Clarke, recently dropped from the Test squad, has something to prove and is classy enough to do it.
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
Simon Cambers is Cricinfo's new betting correspondent
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