New Zealand hold all the aces
February 06, 2012 09:00:19 UK
Opening batsman Rob Nicol was surprisingly New Zealand's bowling hero in the second one-day international against Zimbabwe.
After being dismissed for a duck at the top of the order, he grabbed four wickets with his occasional off-spin.
Zimbabwe were blown away as captain Brendan Taylor again found little support from his batting line-up. When Ray Price is the next highest scorer you know your team have problems.
Don't forget all of the fantastic markets we have to offer, including In-Play betting, can be accessed on your mobile phone with the new and improved Mobile at bet365.
The tourists will hope for more from their top three batsmen and will also want to at least bat out the overs. New Zealand also failed to utilise their allocated 50 overs and they are likely to rest a few stars ahead of the South Africa series.
Tarun Nethula is expected to make his international debut in the third ODI with Andrew Ellis, Tom Latham and Michael Bates all pressing for inclusion.
Even with a weaker line-up, the Black Caps should have enough to prevail in the third ODI, which they are 1.055 to win, unless Taylor hits a ton.
Brendon McCullum was another to fail with the bat but he must surely run into form soon, while Doug Bracewell (4.50) and Ray Price (5.00) can be the main wicket-takers.
A closer match is forecast but New Zealand should emerge victorious although, if Zimbabwe win the toss, they could force a victory at odds of 11.00.
View all Cricket betting