Features

Can New Zealand cause an upset?

Author: John Harris
Date: 05/10/2009
Cricket betting

Australia are expected to successfully defend their ICC Champions Trophy crown when they meet New Zealand in Monday's final.

Ricky Ponting's side are the overwhelming favourites in the online betting markets to come out on top of the clash with their near neighbours in Johannesburg.

No nation has ever managed to defend the trophy, with Australia bidding to follow up their success in India three years ago.

Will Australia come out on top in the Champions Trophy Final? - Latest Cricket Betting

The strong support for Australia has emerged on the back of their total dominance of an England side in recent weeks.

After thrashing them 6-1 on English soil in the build-up to the Champions Trophy, they then swept them aside by nine wickets in Friday's semi-final.

Shane Watson and Ponting himself both scored centuries as the Baggy Greens ran riot at Centurion Park.

Recently crowned ICC cricketer of the year Mitchell Johnson and emerging player of the year Peter Siddle continue to spearhead an attack which has proved to be one of the most dangerous in the tournament.

But the Antipodean final at least pits two in-form sides against one another as Australia topped Group A and New Zealand won Group B.

But unlike Australia, the Black Caps arrive in Monday's showpiece in less convincing form.

Daniel Vettori's side laboured to a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in Sunday's semi-final.

The Black Caps were set an attainable winning total of 233 in their meeting with the World Twenty20 champions.

But despite making hard going of the run chase, they finally reached the mark with just 13 balls remaining in their innings.

Grant Elliott (75 not out) and Daniel Vettori (41) put on 104 for the fifth wicket as New Zealand edged past the winning post.

New Zealand also lost one of their group games - their opening encounter against hosts South Africa - and have looked vulnerable at times.

However, Vettori has fired a warning to their doubters after claiming his side are determined to break their duck in major competitions.

"There is a real ambition in the side," he said of the perennial bridesmaids.

"There's belief and desire to win tournament instead of just ending up as semi-finalists."

New Zealand's hopes could well hinge on now effective Vettori is on the day at the Wanderers.

Alongside his match-winning 41 with the bat against Pakistan, he also took 3-43 with the ball and on his shoulders rest much of the Black Caps' hopes of causing a massive upset.

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