Australia went into the first two T20 games against New Zealand as the betting favorite and ended up losing both those games. If you ended up betting on the Aussies for the first two T20 games at Bet365 or Betway, you must feel quite let down.
The Kiwis are now 2-0 up in the 5 match T20 series and are just one win away from securing the series. Can Australia bounce back in the third T20 on March 3 to keep the series alive? Our experts share their predictions for the third T20 below.
Australia Are Now Underdogs
Things have changed for the Aussies during the last two games as they are no longer betting favorites. The Australians have odds of 1/1 for the third T20 while the Kiwis are now the slight betting favorites with odds of 4/5. If you are looking to bet on the third T20, you can do so at any of the following sites.
Australia lost the first T20 by 53 runs as they were convincingly outplayed by the Kiwis. The Kiwis once again dominated the second T20 but a magnificent inning by Marcus Stoinis and Daniel Sams at the death gave Australia a chance to win but they fell short by 5 runs. The Aussies have got better with each T20 game but know they have disappointed their fans.
Captain Aaron Finch is under immense pressure to win the third T20, keep the series alive and also his place in the side. If you are a betting man and have followed the Australia side, you know that Australia rarely lose three T20s in a row. So you might want to put your money on Australia to win on March 3.
What Australia Must Do In The Batting Department
Australia have struggled at the top of the order with both Matthew Wade and Aaron Finch struggling. They really need a good start in the third T20 and that might mean making a change at the top of the order. Given that Finch is the captain and is likely to retain his place in the side for atleast one more game, Wade might have to sit out.
Australia will need to roll the dice and bring in D’Arcy Short. They also need runs from Glenn Maxwell who has failed in both games. The Big Show is a match winner and Australia will look to back him for the third T20. If they end up losing one of the openers early, they should consider promoting Maxwell up the order at 3.
What Australia Must Do In The Bowling Department
Australia are playing a rather inexperienced bowling attack as their three premier fast bowlers Starc, Hazelwood and Cummins are not in the squad. The backup bowlers are good enough but they need to get their act together. Jhye Richardson admitted that the bowlers should have been more careful with their lines in the third T20.
Kane Richardson has been very expensive in both games going for over 40 in his four overs. Australia should think of replacing him with Jason Behrendorff to see if he can pose a new challenge for the Kiwis.
The selection policy for the third T20 is also going to play a key factor. Will the Aussies continue to play the same side from the second T20 or will they make multiple changes. They have a number of talented players including Ben McDermott and Riley Meredith who are yet to get a game.
The biggest challenge for Australia in the third T20 is if they can lift themselves after losing the first two T20s and show the mental fortitude to beat the Kiwis even before they step on to the field.
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