T20 World Cup Betting: New Zealand v Scotland
Brendon McCullum’s flashing blade could kill off a Scotland team who have plenty of fight but not enough skill to spring a surprise against New Zealand, says Ed Hawkins
Team news
Scotland are not the only side to have had disciplinary problems in the lead up to the World Twenty20. Paceman John Blain walked out on the squad after a row with skipper Gavin Hamilton. Calum McLeod and Gordon Drummond are expected to take the new ball in Blain’s absence while Dewald Nel, who has played for Worcestershire, should miss out.
New Zealand must have doubts about pairing Jesse Ryder with Brendon McCullum at the top of the order. Ryder has decided to stay with the squad after his cousin was killed in a car crash back home and the beefy batsman is also suffering from a groin injury.
Conditions
A wet start but light rain is unlikely to be enough to make this a reduced-overs affair. Traditionally The Oval is good for batting. Only two domestic Twenty20 matches have been played there this season, producing first-innings scores at both ends of the spectrum: 184 and 125.
Match odds
New Zealand are 1.09 to get their campaign off to a flyer and it is arguable that is just not short enough. That is not to say punters should pile in, but it is a surprise that Scotland are not bigger than 11.50.
It is hard to make a case for them at such odds. Scotland are a gritty outfit - but that is about it. Perhaps people have been fooled by their performance against England in a warm-up.
They caused the hosts problems but that was more down to England’s apathy towards the contest rather than Scottish brilliance. Don’t forget that the Scots have played only six Twenty20s and only two of those were against Full Member nations.
Top batsman
Some value at last. Brendon McCullum, who needs only to bat for half an hour against this Scotland side, should be capable of being top New Zealand runscorer at around 3.00. Ryder, his probable opening partner, is a threat but he has looked out of touch in the warm-ups. Scotland’s top-bat market makes for good reading, too. Much of the money will make its way to former England man Gavin Hamilton but he has not obliged in any of the warm-ups. Colin Smith, the wicketkeeper, has done so twice and could be worth following if the Kiwi pacemen rip out the top order. Kyle Coetzer, the Durham batsman, has played at The Oval once in List A matches, scoring 61.
Featured market
The total match runs line was a profitable market for us in the IPL but beware of playing it when a minnow takes on a giant. Scotland could easily be shot out for a pittance. A toss dependant wager for sure.
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- Full Commentry:2nd match, Group D New Zealand v Scotland
- All eyes on New Zealand’s new crop
- South Africa beat scotland by 130 runs in there first match of t20 world cup
- Full Commentry:ICC World Twenty20 - 5th match, Group D,Scotland v South Africa
- Gloveman McCullum holds key for New Zealand
- Black Caps beat India in first warm up before Twenty20 World Cup
- Scorecard:ICC World Twenty20, 2nd Match, Group D: New Zealand v Scotland at The Oval
- In World Twenty20 Cup, Surprises Big and Small
- New Zealand vs scotland twenty20 worldcup 2009 - short highlights
