Cricket Odds: Australia vs. New Zealand ODI Series Betting Update

It has taken wins in one Test and two one-day internationals to turn the momentum of Australia's summer around, and they go into the third and final match of the Chappell Hadlee series against New Zealand at the MCG on the verge of a series sweep.

Two weeks ago, Australian cricket was at a crossroads after a humiliating Test series loss to South Africa, but a win in the dead rubber of that series and a comfortable pair of 50-over wins in Sydney and Canberra against the touring Black Caps has brightened the skies.

Australia have been utterly dominant in the ODI series, led from the front by Steve Smith and David Warner, Australia's two best batsmen. Smith compiled a brilliant 164 in the first ODI in Sydney, while Warner poured on the class with his 119 in Canberra.

Those innings allowed Australia to put together massive totals of 324 and 378 in their two matches to date, both of which proved well beyond the under-strength Kiwis.

With defeats of 68 and 116 runs, it is little surprise that the Black Caps find themselves as outsiders—at a price of $3.34, with Australia at $1.33—to make it 3-0 in Melbourne, according to website AustralianGambling.com.au.

The last time New Zealand played Australia on this ground was the 2015 World Cup final, where they were humbled on the big stage. The Black Caps did win at the MCG in 2009, but the Aussies lead the head-to-head matchup in ODIs here 15-4.

You wouldn't think skipper Kane Williamson would fancy sending Australia in again should he win the toss as he did in Canberra. His inexperienced bowling line-ups were taken for plenty of runs, with only spinner Mitchell Santner able to contain the flow.

In contrast, the Aussie bowlers impressed, especially Pat Cummins, who took a career-best 4-41. He is $5 to be Australia's leading wicket-taker in this match, while Mitch Starc, who has just three wickets in the first two matches, is $3 to take the most wickets here. The value could be the other Mitch, Marsh, who took 5-33 at the MCG in a World Cup match in 2015 and is $6 to get most wickets in this one.

Tim Southee, who didn't play in the first game but looked the most dangerous of the Kiwi pacemen in Canberra, is $3.75 and good value to get the most wickets for the Black Caps.

In terms of the leading run scorer, it's little surprise that Warner ($3.40) and Smith ($3.60) are top of the markets, but it's worth noting that Warner's fellow opener Aaron Finch ($5) has two centuries and a 96 in his past three MCG ODI innings.

Martin Guptill, who struck a century in the opening match in Sydney, is $3.60 to top score for the Black Caps in the final match, while Williamson, who top scored with 81 in Canberra, is $3.75 to repeat that honor.

If New Zealand are to salvage something from the series, you'd think they'd need big innings from both men. But in spite of what promises to be a wintery day in Melbourne, you'd think the home side will complete the sweep.