Australia vs New Zealand 1st ODI Prediction

Team News

Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, Mitchell McClenagahan and Adam Milne are all unfit and won't be available for this tour. Wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi has been sidelined and BJ Watling is set to replace him. All-rounder Colin Munro makes a comeback to the squad and Todd Astle is the preferred leg-spinner over Ish Sodhi. Colin de Grandhomme and uncapped pacer Lockie Ferguson have also been drafted in. 

Key Players

Skipper Kane Williamson forms the main pillar in New Zealand's batting lineup. He has scored the most runs for his side in four of his previous nine ODIs and we predict him to be the Kiwi top-scorer in this match. Bowling will rely largely on Tim Southee and Trent Boult and these two are expected to be the most threatening of the lot.

Recent Form

New Zealand played their most recent ODI series in India and though they gave the hosts a good run for their money, they could not prevent a 2-3 series loss. They have done well in this format this year with seven wins from eleven completed games but they haven’t won an ODI at the SCG since 2003.

Aus vs NZ Head-to-Head in ODIs

Australia boast a superior record over New Zealand in terms of head-to-head stats. Out of the 130 ODIs played between the two teams, the hosts have won 87 - a remarkable win percentage of 70.16. The tourists have won 37 of them and the rest did not produce a result. They have met 21 times at this ground and Australia have emerged winners on 13 occasions.

Aus vs NZ 1st ODI Betting Odds

With allrounder James Faulkner and speedsters Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood back in the side, Australia start as definite favorites to win the first one-day international at 1.47 with betfair and 1.44 with bet365. Betfair has New Zealand up at 3 while bet365 has them at 2.75. They may seem attractive bets at first, but one should not forget that they have won only 7 out of the 28 ODIs at this ground. Plus, they will be devoid of key players in Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson and Mitchell McClenagahan which will hand Australia a certain advantage.

Aus vs NZ 1st ODI Prediction

Australia have been down and out in the 50-overs format lately. They had a disastrous tour of South Africa where they received a 0-5 bashing. However, it should not be overlooked that they were playing with a second-string bowling attack. And now that their ace bowlers have returned, the Aussies are looking mighty once again. They have a phenomenal record at the SCG with 83 wins from 127 matches. 

New Zealand might gain confidence from the fact they beat Australia in the Chappell-Hadlee series at the start of this year. But then again, it was played in the former's territory and now with some of their main players out due to injury, beating a full-strength Aussie side on their soil should be more than a challenge.

Final Verdict: We recommend betting on Australia to win this match.