T20 WORLD CUP FINAL: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Sunday’s T20 World Cup final between AUSTRALIA v NEW ZEALAND with a recommended BETDAQ bet.

MATCH OVERVIEW:

After 44 games of cricket at the T20 World Cup, we’re down to two teams as Australia and New Zealand face off in the Final on Sunday in Dubai. If the two Semi-Finals were anything to go by, we’re in for a drama filled afternoon on BETDAQ Betting Exchange! I have to say that although it’s been a very enjoyable tournament, it isn’t without criticism. Do we have the two best teams in the competition in the Final, or do we have to two sides who chased with a heavy dew? Chasing has offered a huge edge right throughout the tournament, and given the massive finishes we saw in both games I feel we’ve ended up with the toss being too important in this tournament.

It’s a big shame that winning the toss has such an impact on such big games of cricket like this, but that is just the way it is. England and Pakistan were the best sides in the tournament and to their credit, they performed superbly in the Semi-Finals, they just couldn’t defend. There’s no doubt that this will be a close game between two fantastic sides, but at this stage you have to ask yourself; what does the side batting first have to score to feel safe?

It was nice to land a good bet on New Zealand at 3.0 to beat England, but they traded much bigger in-running. Australia also traded reasonably big in-running but both sides won with an over to spare after some massive sixes. New Zealand have no injuries worries coming into the Final, and Australia will be full of confidence after beating Pakistan. Although we’re going to go into this game knowing that the toss will have a huge impact, it’s still a fascinating game. The Australian openers are firing and that’s been a huge boost for them, but this New Zealand side are a top class outfit and they have an immense spirit in the group. We should have a cracker!

WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

As I said above, chasing has proven to be a massive advantage at this tournament. Even the sides who have got beaten, they have come reasonably close. England beat Sri Lanka, not at this ground but Sri Lanka went from 1.06 to odds on in the chase before losing. I said prior to the Semi-Finals that I was struggling to find what a par score here was because of the way the games have worked out and the dew advantage chasing. Pakistan couldn’t defend 176/4 which is pretty scary if you’re batting first. Pakistan said afterwards that they got the score they wanted too, and perhaps the game could have gone differently if they took their catches but the reality is you’re always in the game chasing here. You win the toss and bowl, there’s no question. The only question is, even if the side batting first scores 180, will that be enough?

RECOMMENDED BET:

We landed a nice bet on New Zealand in the Semi-Final as outsiders purely because I made it a closer game than the odds reflect, and I have the same thoughts here. I strongly disagree with the market here having New Zealand as big as 2.5. I know they have additional injury worries, but I fully expect a close game here and New Zealand look the value. Especially when you consider, the toss is going to provide a big edge to whoever wins – I couldn’t have the prices like this before the toss. I am happy to keep stakes small however, because Australia could win the toss and have that big advantage too, but for the time being before the toss I can’t have the odds like this. I’d have Australia favourites, but I’d have them closer to 1.8 rather than 1.65. As I said before the England game, New Zealand are always underrated but they are a top quality side. They are World Test Champions and only lost the ODI World Cup in a Super Over. Hopefully they get their moment in the sun this time after that narrow defeat.

The Edge Says:
One point win New Zealand to beat Australia at 2.5 with BETDAQ Exchange.

View the market here -> https://bit.ly/BDQT20WC

IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

We saw two reasonably high scores in the two Semi-Finals – very high actually when you look at the scoring in the tournament in general, and I would expect another good wicket for batting here. Fans love to see runs, and we’ll see a wicket that favours the batsmen here in my view. I have to say in regards to in-running trading, you won’t find a better edge than looking for trades on the chasing team. It’s all about timing the market however – given Pakistan were able to put up 176/4 batting first here in the Semi-Final, it might pay to wait until the innings break before getting on the chasing side. However, with the high pressure of a Final and the side batting first knowing they need a big score, I would support the new ball bowlers first up. I know both sides have their openers in good form, but that might be worth a small trade early doors. Other than that, focus on the trades that will come from the chasing side – we should see some big swings in-running here.