Cricket: Optimistic punter bets $10,000 on NZ to win tri-series

They may not be able to buy a win against Australia but that hasn't stopped a supremely optimistic punter betting $10,000 that New Zealand will take out the Tri-Series cricket title.

New Zealand are no certainty to make the best-of-three finals against the world champions next month but that hasn't deterred one unidentified punter going big on odds of $12 to one.

The TAB today revealed the wager in a release headed: "Supreme cricket optimist?"

Leading into today's match against England in Adelaide, New Zealand had lost all three games in the competition and another defeat would leave them at long odds to even make next month's finals series.

They have four more round robin games including two against the unbeaten Australians who assured themselves of a berth in the finals by beating the Black Caps by two wickets in Sydney on Sunday night.

Australia are $1.11 to win the Tri-Series while New Zealand have shortened to $9 after the $10,000 bet was laid. England are now the $10 outsiders.

Australia are also hot $2.20 favourites to win the upcoming World Cup in the West Indies in March. New Zealand and England are on the seventh line of betting at $10.

- NZPA