Cricket Betting Tips and Match Prediction - Zimbabwe face resurgent Australia challenge in T20I

by Alastair Symondson & Saksham Mishra Monday 2 July 2018

Aaron Finch will be looking for another big win against Zimbabwe in T20I

©Reuters

12th ranked Zimbabwe will be up against 3rd ranked Australia in a match in which the Aussies will start as overwhelming favourites.

Match Details

Australia v Zimbabwe T20I

Date - July 3rd

Time - 09.00AM BST

Venue - Harare Sports Club

Zimbabwe are coming off a big defeat in the first match against Pakistan whereas Australia defeated Pakistan comprehensively in their first match. This contrast is enough to define the vast difference between the two teams.

Australia win the second match of #TriSeries by 9 wickets.#PAKvAUS
Scorecard ?? https://t.co/S4pZndMFcQ pic.twitter.com/xl2TciVd6G
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) July 2, 2018

However, it is the fickle nature of the T20I format which will still give Zimbabwe some chance of stepping up their game. Playing in the absence of five of their key players - Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Graeme Cremer, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine - Hamilton Masakadza would have to lead his troops from the front and get some extraordinary performances out of them.

The Zimbabwe tri-series starts from July 1 and what's interesting to note is that since the previous World T20, Zimbabwe have played just 5 T20Is.

Afghanistan (18), Ireland (13), Scotland (10), UAE (8) and Netherlands (7) have all played more T20Is than them.#ZimTriSeries
— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) June 28, 2018

Australia's batting order would revolve around their top three batsmen - D' Arcy Short, Aaron Finch and Travis Head. Marcus Stoinis and Alex Carey can also be dangerous in the middle overs.

Billy Stanlake, the Player of the Match of the last game, will be a force to reckon with along with Andrew Tye. Tendai Chisoro will lead the Zimbabwe bowling attack. Hamilton Masakadza and Chamu Chibhabha are the two mainstays of the Zimbabwe batting line up and they would have to go big if the team wants to cause an upset.

Zimbabwe squad

Cephas Zhuwao, Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza(c), Solomon Mire, Tarisai Musakanda, Elton Chigumbura, Malcolm Waller, Brian Chari, Peter Moor, Wellington Masakadza, Tendai Chisoro, Blessing Muzarabani, Ryan Murray, Kyle Jarvis, Chris Mpofu, Ryan Burl, Brandon Mavuta

Australia squad

D Arcy Short, Aaron Finch(c), Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, Alex Carey(w), Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Kane Richardson, Mitchell Swepson, Billy Stanlake, Nic Maddinson, Jhye Richardson, Jack Wildermuth

Cricket Betting Tips and Match Prediction*

So, here are our cricket betting tips and the match prediction.

Who will win? Australia

Top Batsman (Runs Scored) – Aaron Finch, Tarisai Musakanda

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – Billy Stanlake, Kyle Jarvis

Most Sixes – Travis Head, Tarisai Musakanda

Team Scores Batting First – Australia 200+, Zimbabwe 100+

*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In–Play’ features soon, so stay tuned.