New Zealand eye final berth

England showed them the way and New Zealand know that a similar victory for them over Australia at the SCG on Sunday will secure their place in the best-of-three-match final of the Commonwealth Bank series against the hosts.

Of course, that won't be that easy as Australia, even though they have already qualified for the finals, don't like losing. Their defeat by England should have lifted their desire again and New Zealand could be in for a tough time.

Ricky Ponting will return after missing the England defeat and with their captain restored to the line-up, Australia are 1/6 with bet365 to win this one and leave New Zealand facing a winner-takes-all battle against England to decide who reaches the final.

The Black Caps are 7/2 to upset the Aussies this time.

Australia have won 12 of the 18 contests between the two at the SCG, but their battle there earlier in this series was a tight one, with the home side coming out on top by just two wickets.

Ponting is the 11/4 favourite to be Australia's top runscorer, while Matthew Hayden, in good form and looking solid, is 7/2. Adam Gilchrist, fresh from a duck against England, is 4/1 while Michael Clarke is 5/1 and Michael Hussey 11/2.

Andrew Symonds, a doubt after retiring hurt with a bicep injury against England, is 6/1, and Brad Hodge is a 13/2 shot.

Captain Stephen Fleming is the 7/2 favourite to top New Zealand's runscorers, just ahead of Ross Taylor, who is 4/1, the same price as Lou Vincent.

Jacob Oram, in superb form in the past two matches, looks a generous price at 11/2 while Peter Fulton is 6/1 and Craig McMillan 7/1.