Cricket Odds: Australia vs. New Zealand Chappell-Hadlee Series Preview

Having snapped their Test losing streak, Australia will be looking to end another five-match barren run when they host New Zealand in the ODI Chappell-Hadlee series, which starts this Sunday in Sydney.

While Australia may have won the World Cup at the start of 2015, their lack of depth in the 50-over format was shown in the 5-0 series loss in South Africa in October.

The big difference for Australia in this series is that they get back front-line bowling trio Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and James Faulkner, who all missed the tour of South Africa.

The trans-Tasman rivals have played each other three times since Australia's victory in the World Cup final at the MCG in March 2015, with New Zealand prevailing in the 2015-16 edition of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 2-1 after victories in Auckland and Hamilton.

Remarkably, this is the first time these two have met in a one-day series on Australian soil since 2009, but traditionally, the Aussies have dominated when the teams play here, having lost only two of the past 15 home ODIs between the two.

Hence they go into series as $1.36 favorites, according to website AustralianGambling.com.au, while the Black Caps are $3.10 outsiders.

A series sweep for the Aussies is priced at $3, with the favorite series result 2-1 in Australia's favor at $2.25. A Black Caps 2-1 series win is considered a $3.75 chance, while a New Zealand sweep is at $13.

The return of Faulkner and Hazlewood is big, but Starc's inclusion is massive. He boasts the best strike rate and average of any Australian ODI bowler with more than 50 wickets. Accordingly, he is the $2.87 favorite to be Australia's leading wicket taker of the series.

The importance of Starc with the ball is matched by the importance of David Warner with the bat. The powerful left-hander so often sets the tone for the Aussie innings and is equal favorite with skipper Steve Smith to score the most runs for Australia in the series at $2.75.

But the player who could prove crucial for Australia is Mitchell Marsh. The 25-year-old may have hit a flat spot in his career, but he was excellent against the Kiwis earlier this year, claiming seven wickets in the three games and scoring 110 runs.

New Zealand are missing two powerful batsmen in Corey Anderson and Ross Taylor for this series, leaving Kane Williamson to carry much of the load with the bat as well as captain the side.

Williamson is $2.25 to top the run-scorers' list for New Zealand over the three matches, but it's worth noting that in six previous matches against Australia, he has only made it past 50 once. Martin Guptill might be a better bet at $3 seeing he did make two 50s in the last Chappell-Hadlee series. Fellow opener Tom Latham, who was recalled for the recent ODI series against India, is at $4.

The Kiwis' bowling lineup also lacks depth with Trent Boult and Tim Southee taking the new ball. They are $3 equal favorites for most wickets, but you'd lean toward Southee, who edged Boult seven wickets to six in the recent Indian series.

Across the three games, you'd expect the Black Caps' inexperience to be shown up and the home side, with a point to prove, to flex their muscles and build some more momentum back into their summer.