One Day Cricket returns to Australia on Sunday morning in what will be a perfect way for sports lovers to enjoy their day with the AFL having a week off.
Australia takes on Zimbabwe in a three-match series with all matches played at Townsville with local hero, Andrew Symonds, to be honoured after he passed away earlier in the year. Read on for our series preview and cricket betting tips for the opening match.
Australia vs Zimbabwe ODI Series Preview & Tips
Squads
Australia: Aaron Finch, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
Zimbabwe: Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva (captain), Bradley Evans, Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Luke Jongwe, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.
Tour Schedule
Sunday August 28: Riverway Stadium: Townsville - 9:40am
Wednesday August 31: Riverway Stadium: Townsville - 9:40am
Saturday September 3: Riverway Stadium: Townsville - 9:40am
Preview
1st ODI - Sunday, August 28th 9:40am AEST
It has been 18 years since Zimbabwe has toured Australia and they will be looking to be competitive after a solid campaign against India recently. India did win the series 3-0 but Zimbabwe showed fight and in the last match only just fell short after a middle order collapse.
Brad Evans took five wickets in that match and will be monitored early by the Aussies, while Sikandar Raza notched up a 100 which included nine fours and three sixes, so tight bowling to him will be on the menu.
Zimbabwe secured a spot in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup tournament and will use this series to get used to some of the Australian conditions and the typically higher-bouncing pitches.
Aaron Finch will captain the Aussies once again and although they are unlikely to be 100 percent primed for this series, they should do enough to win 3-0.
Test captain Pat Cummins will not play any of the three matches. Adam Zampa returns for the homeside and he will look to get some continuity into his game before he has bigger games to play in the T20 World Cup. Ashton Agar will also play throughout the series and selectors will monitor how he goes.
Now for the punters, I have chosen some selections that I think may be value in the opening match.
It may be an obvious one choosing Australia’s number one strike bowler, but Zimbabwe may get overwhelmed being on Australian soil for the first time in 18 years and may lose a few wickets very early in the unfamiliar conditions.
Starc will open the bowling and it is likely that Zimbabwe will lose two or three in the first 10 to 15 overs.
Australia (Most wickets) - Mitchell Starc
$4.20
Similar to above, the Aussies will come out looking to impress after a spell and with both eyes really on the upcoming T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe will be nervous and I expect early wickets!
Zimbabwe (Fall of first wicket) - Under 13.5 runs
$1.87
Short odds I know but can you really see Zimbabwe hitting more sixes than the Aussies? This is probably one to bank into your multis. Zimbabwe may get one or two away, but the formidable and powerful Australian batting lineup should comfortably clear the pickets in Townsville.
Most Sixes - Australia
$1.14
