THE EDGE: The Edge previews the Cricket World Cup clash between NEW ZEALAND v SRI LANKA with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
New Zealand v Sri Lanka
MATCH OVERVIEW:
It’s crunch time at the Cricket World Cup on Thursday as we begin the final round of group games on BETDAQ Betting Exchange. New Zealand take on Sri Lanka in a massive game for both sides. It was looking bad for New Zealand fans when Afghanistan had Australia 91/7 but then Glenn Maxwell played quite possibly the best ODI innings ever when scoring 201 and leading them to victory. That confirmed Australia for the Semi-Finals, and meant New Zealand can only finish in fourth as they are four points behind. They are still in the strongest position net run rate wise.
However, the pressure is on now. Pakistan and Afghanistan are also on eight points along with New Zealand. Pakistan play England in their final game while Afghanistan meet South Africa. On paper, New Zealand definitely have the easiest fixture, but they do come into this game off the back of four losses. They started the tournament superbly, but they’ve had a lot go against them since. In fairness they haven’t played bad cricket; they have just been out-played or edged out in a close finish. The situation is different for Sri Lanka, but they need a win just as much as New Zealand. Two of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Netherlands and England will miss out on the Champions Trophy.
You’d expect England to beat the Netherlands, which will be played before this fixture starts and that will leave everyone on four points heading into the final games. Sri Lanka fans will have a few nervous games to watch should they lose here. A fascinating game awaits, Sri Lanka will be fired up after the Angelo Mathews incident against Bangladesh becoming the first International cricketer to be Timed Out.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
We’re back in Bangalore, and we actually finish the tournament group stage here on Sunday. Bangalore is well known as a very high scoring venue – we’ve saw some incredible cricket here at the IPL over the years. Obviously batting during the day in India is very different but we’ve still had some massive scores here. Australia scored 367/9 to beat Pakistan and New Zealand scored 401/6 but lost on Duckworth Lewis with Pakistan 200/1 when the rain finished the game. In between those games England were bowled out for 156 by Sri Lanka who chased it down quickly. Probably highlights how poor the England batting has been at this World Cup! Both sides should know conditions well; I’d likely bat if I won the toss.
RECOMMENDED BET:
Both sides have performed very well at this ground. Would New Zealand have won with a full game here at the weekend? Maybe; 400 is a very hard score to chase down but Pakistan were in control when the rain arrived. Sri Lanka’s bowling obviously did very well here, but what is England form worth. New Zealand are the massive favourites at 1.29 and that feels a little short in my opinion. I wouldn’t be a huge fan of Sri Lanka, but the New Zealand bowling has gone around the park at times recently and with excellent scoring conditions expected that can bring the sides closer together. I like a small bet on Sri Lanka at 4.4 or bigger.
The Edge Says:
One point win Sri Lanka to beat New Zealand at 4.4 with Betdaq Exchange.
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/NewSL
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
I know England really let this line of thinking down here, but generally you want to support the batting side in Bangalore. Both sides in the other games put in massive scores and moved the market, then Pakistan chased successfully on Duckworth Lewis and also Pakistan traded odds on in the failed chase against Australia earlier in the tournament. I would only look for trades on either batting side here; it seems a no brainer to support the side who bats first and then switch for a trade at the inning break.
