Cricket: Smart money on Australia to sweep Black Caps

SYDNEY - Bookmaker Centrebet is yet to receive a A$1 ($1.08) on New Zealand winning the three test Trans-Tasman Trophy cricket series with Australia, which starts in Christchurch on Thursday.

Predicting a 3-0 series whitewash for Ricky Ponting's world champions, the Australian-based betting agency is taking bets at A$2.75 that the Black Caps succumb in Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington.

Spokesman Gerard Daffy today said the agency was yet to take a single bet on the Black Caps winning a match, let alone the series.

New Zealand are rated a A$13 outsider to win the series; Australia are practically unbackable at A$1.13 while a drawn rubber is qouted at A$8.

Australia are A$1.52 to win at Jade Stadium, while the Black Caps are A$11 and a draw A$3.

- NZPA