Category: Cricket

Ashes 17/18 Third Test Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Australia will aim to take a 3-0 lead in the Ashes series when they host Joe Root’s beleaguered troops at The Waca in Perth this week. They have reigned supreme so far, winning both tests comfortably, and they are favourites to pile more misery on a lacklustre England team. If they do so they will reclaim the urn with two tests to spare and will be on course for another whitewash. But it will not be easy as England can call upon the talents of several world-class players, and Steve Smith and co will have to be at the top of their game once more.

Over at https://www.oddschecker.com/au/cricket the bookmakers have Australia as the $1.57 favourite to win the third test, while England are all the way out at $4.70. That is the shortest price yet on Australia winning a test during this series and is a reflection of their dominance up until now.

No England player has been up to scratch on a consistent basis, while very few Australian players have underperformed. The hosts have drawn some criticism for their sledging tactics, but they have clearly been effective. Australia have once again got under England’s skin and won the psychological battle.

And once again the English batsmen just cannot seem to live with the pace, aggression and all-round ferocity of the Australian attack. Mitchell Starc has cut through England’s weak tail with gleeful aplomb. He ended the second innings in Adelaide 5-88 and is a constant thorn in the visitors’ side. Pat Cummins takes crucial wickets and is also handy with the bat, so he is en route to cult hero status.

Nathan Lyon promised to end England careers before the series and has delivered on that fighting talk with some exceptional performances. Smith has used him as a devastating weapon to break up partnerships and Lyon has become a real leader in this team. Alastair Cook must be sick of the sight of him, while Lyon’s diving catch to remove Moeen Ali will live long in the memory.

England’s biggest names in the batting department have underwhelmed, regularly getting bowled for pitiful scores. James Vince rescued England in the first innings at The Gabba and has since been woeful. Cook must want the ground to open up and swallow him whole. Root, Dawid Malan and Mark Stoneman have blown hot and cold. Johnny Bairstow has failed to deliver on his promise and has been made into a figure of mockery by brutal Australian sledging. Contrast them to Smith, who batted with grim-faced determination at The Gabba and killed the match as a contest with a first innings score of 141 not out. He has not hit those heights since, but Australia have always managed to find more than enough runs, with David Warner, Shaun Marsh and Cameron Bancroft racking up plenty strong scores.

Smith has thus far won the captain’s battle against Root and Australia have never looked in serious trouble of losing a test. England badly miss all-rounder Ben Stokes, suspended while he is investigated for assault, and if he were to return to the fold it could liven things up. Without him, England have an elongated tail and they have struggled for runs, while his absence also places too much pressure on the ageing James Anderson and Stuart Broad. But even Stokes would struggle to revive this limp, jaded England team. They have shown flashes of brilliance, like bowling Australia out for just 138 in the second innings at the Adelaide Oval, with Anderson and Chris Woakes in inspired form, but those flashes have been few and far between.

The home side has won the Ashes on six of the last seven occasions and Australia look to be cruising towards victory in this series. England struggle in hostile surrounds and foreign conditions, and Root has a huge job on his hands if he is to instil confidence in his men.

They have sent a young and inexperienced side to Australia and they have been pitilessly exposed by Australia. In the words of England legend Geoffrey Boycott: “Let’s be brutally honest: for the all the upbeat talk from our players and the hopes and expectations from our supporters, Australia are better than us. The Ashes are gone. We are not coming back from 2-0 down. England will have a massive job avoiding a 5-0 thrashing.” Australia have them on the ropes, and they simply need to kill them off in Perth this week.

 

 

 

Image credits: 
Nic Redhead

 

History Beckons for Plucky Australians in Dharamsala

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

It all comes down to a series finale that no one expected. The surprisingly competitive series between ICC heavyweights India and Australia will be settled (or not if we have another draw) in the fourth test starting on Saturday in Dharamsala. The surprise comes from the strong Australian performance in all of the matches so far. Often disappointing in India, and as was the case prior to Christmas when they were an absolute shambles when South Africa put them to the sword.

But the turnaround has been tremendous. They’re a real chance of gaining an upset series win.

The Series So Far

The Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscombe’s engineered great escape in Ranchi mean the riveting series is still tied at one game apiece. Facing a challenging prospect of surviving for 100 overs on a deteriorating fifth-day wicket, the pair battled stubbornly and ensured Steven Smith’s first innings heroics (178*) were not in vain.

The Ranchi draw, where credit should also be directed to India (and more specifically Cheteshwar Pujara for an innings spanning 525 deliveries) for hauling down Australia’s huge first innings total of 451, sets up an intriguing finish to the series at Dharamsala.

The Teams

India

The Dharamsala pitch located in the Himalayas and experiencing some rainfall might play more like an English green seamer than a sub-continent dust bowl. The result could be a recall for Mohammed Shami or Bhuvneshwar Kumar or both. Ishant Sharma who has done a today job without taking wickets could make way and then the selectors are faced with the tricky decision of whether to play only one spinner – which admittedly seems pretty unlikely.

Australia

We can’t see Australia making changes to their side even if the pitch turns out to be greener than expected. Jackson Bird is the backup seamer if they do go that way, or if they’re worried about the amount of work Pat Cummins was required to get through in Ranchi.

The Key Players

India

If there’s ever a time that captain Virat Kohli needs to stand up and come out swinging it’s in this series decider. In a series where he’s struggled with the bat, yet played the role of aggressive pantomime villain with aplomb, Kohli needs to turn that equation around. Less rousing the crowd. Less goading the Australians. More runs. He has just 46 runs in five efforts this series. However, he’s still the Indian favourite to top score – paying $3.40.

Australia

Slow bowlers are generally expected to flourish on the sub-continent, but if there’s one venue where seam might come into the equation, it’s Dharamsala. The pitch could be a green seamer and if it is, Josh Hazlewood could be deadly with his accuracy and wobble. He’s at $4.50 to be the top bowler in the first innings

The Match Odds*

India – $1.83

Draw – $3.75

Australia – $4

*All odds from Bet365.

The Prediction

We would love to see the series decided one way or the other but we think a flat pitch will once again see the match peter out to a draw.

Black Caps Head to Hamilton Hoping For Salvage Job

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Earlier in the summer when the Black Caps were dispatching Pakistan and Bangladesh plenty of supporters were optimistic about their chances of success against South Africa.

The optimism has proven to be misguided.

The limp Black Caps second innings effort brought back memories of collapses past and illustrated the gulf between the teams – especially when you take Trent Boult and Ross Taylor out of the home side.

Can they save their season and the series in Hamilton?

The Series So Far

A calamity in Wellington has seen the Black Caps slip behind in the series and left facing a series defeat to South Africa for the 6th consecutive series.

From a position of strength early on day two, the Black Caps collapsed spectacularly to lose by 8 wickets. They gave up a 91-run first innings lead even though they reduced the Proteas to 94-6 at one stage, and managed just 171 in their second innings.

The loss followed a first up draw in Dunedin and means New Zealand need to win in Hamilton to salvage a home season that looked promising after wins against Pakistan and Bangladesh but is now bordering on a disappointment.

The Teams

New Zealand

Trent Boult is fit to bolster the bowling stocks. He’s overcome a groin injury, which leaves New Zealand with a tough decision on whether to drop both allrounders (Neesham and de Grandhomme) or Tim Southee again to accommodate a second spinner.

South Africa

There’s no reason to make any changes to the side that won at the Basin Reserve. The only concern for the South Africans will be the form of Stephen Cook who has put together just 17 runs in four digs thus far.

The Key Players

New Zealand

Over the last years, Tom Latham has looked the best test opener in New Zealand, but his horror run of form since Boxing Day has seen Jeet Raval overtake him as the most important man at the top of the New Zealand order. The patient left-hander has two half-centuries in the series thus far and looks a good tip to top score at $5.50. We’d like him to turn those fifties into hundreds, though – like he does at domestic level.

South Africa

Keshav Maharaj has been described as steady, a grinder, a fighter in the press and by his own team in media comments this series, however, influential might be the more appropriate term. It’s not often spinners play a major part in New Zealand test matches, but Maharaj has 13 wickets at 13 in the series even before playing at Hamilton where it’s actually expected to turn. He’s paying $5 to be the top bowler for his side in the first innings.

The Match Odds*

New Zealand – $6.50

Draw – $1.66

South Africa – $3.20

*All odds from Bet365.

The Prediction and Best Bets

Given the forecast, it’s hard to see anything other than a draw in the final game of the New Zealand summer. While the Black Cap’s Basin Reserve collapse show anything is possible with them involved, it seems a draw is inevitable. The punters and bookies both agree.

Pitch and Petulance in the Spotlight for Game Three

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The ICC’s refusal to get involved in the spat between both Australian and Indian players and administrators outlines exactly how frail the relationship between the two has become, and how fiery the series has become. While it may be unsettling for the players, it makes for compelling viewing for the cricket loving public.

There is no doubt the third test at Ranchi will be no different from the controversial and completely engrossing games already played.

The Series So Far

The tense series is delicately poised at one game each after India fought back to win game two by 75 runs. After an absolute annihilation in game one, where Australia got the better of them by 333 runs, the Indians managed to square the series with a come from behind win in Bengaluru.

In that second match, Australia again got the better of the first innings efforts and took a lead of 87 (their doomed number) into the second innings. before being shot out for just 112 in their fourth innings pursuit of 188. The twin spin threat of Jadeja and Ashwin proving too much on a low and spin-friendly surface.

The Teams

India

The world’s best side are unlikely to make any changes. They’ll be the same as they were in Bengaluru.

Australia

The two Mitchells (Starc and Marsh) are out of the series, replaced by Marcus Stonis and Pat Cummins. Both slot straight into the side, with Cummins set to play his first test match for four years. No other changes expected for Australia who have lots of players in form (Renshaw, Smith, Hazlewood and Lyon) and lots of players not in form (Marsh, Wade, Warner).

The Key Players

India

Lokesh Rahul is one of the few Indian batsmen to handle both the speed and spin threat of the Australian side confidently. On the landmine surfaces, it’s amazing to think Rahul has faced almost 400 deliveries across his four digs. What’s more, he’s converted the long innings into runs – 215 of them, the most in the series. He’s the key player that Australia needs to contain here in game three.

Australia

It’s time for David Warner to do something about the hold that Ravi Ashwin has on him. Ashwin has removed the pugnacious opener four times in his last five efforts against India, and what’s more, he hasn’t been able to score off him easily when he’s not getting out to him. Warner’s huge to the Australians. He needs to score runs and set the tone, and that means finding a way to get off strike when Ashwin is bowling to him. Perhaps it’s time to unsettle Ashwin with his usual aggressive approach, that has deserted him in India thus far.

The Match Odds*

India – $1.57

Draw – $5.75

Australia – $4

*All odds from Bet365.

The Prediction and Best Bets

India to win comfortably by over 200 runs. Look out for Matt Renshaw to top score at $5.50

Black Caps, Proteas Need Ambition to Break Series Deadlock

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

New Zealand and South Africa head to the Basin Reserve in Wellington with the opportunity to take hold of the test series. With a win here in game two, they’ll make it impossible for their opponents to win and have an excellent chance of taking out the series given the torrential wet weather that’s blanketing most of New Zealand and could threaten game three. They must be positive though to advance a result.

The Series So Far

Dunedin’s series opener was ruined by final day rain just as things were getting tense. With a small lead of just 140 and 4 wickets in hand, the South Africans would’ve needed some decent rearguard action to set New Zealand a challenging total. It wasn’t to be, and a draw was betting of a game that neither team dominated or took by the scruff of the neck – the Black Caps had their chances but grassed two many catches and used DRS poorly.

New Zealand looked to have a better batting unit (Dean Elgar aside), whereas, South Africa looked more threatening with the ball, which could point to another close one in Wellington.

The Teams

New Zealand (probable):

1 Tom Latham, 2 Jeet Raval, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Neil Broom, 5 Henry Nicholls, 6 BJ Watling (wk), 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 James Neesham, 9 Neil Wagner, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Trent Boult

I don’t think Jeetan Patel will play again this series, even though he’s guaranteed to get at least two wickets in the match (de Kock x2). Instead, Santner will be preferred and Tim Southee will return to strengthen the pace bowling stocks. Neil Broom will replace the injured Ross Taylor, and Trent Boult is still under an injury cloud.

South Africa (probable):

1 Stephen Cook, 2 Dean Elgar, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Faf du Plessis (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 Temba Bavuma, 7 Quinton de Kock (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Kagiso Rabada

Unlikely to make changes, as spinner Dane Piedt is still awaiting a visa. He’s a chance to play in Hamilton where the pitch is expected to offer help to the slow bowlers.

The Key Players

New Zealand

Without his other senior contributor Ross Taylor, and not being able to rely on the woefully out of form, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson will be required to do exactly what he did in game one. The captain scored a quality century in trying conditions to lead the way. He’s a great chance of repeating given his record in Wellington – at the Basin, he averages 79.9 with 3 hundreds and 3 fifties.

South Africa

Dean Elgar’s monumental effort in Dunedin is reflective of his renewed confidence at test level. After a pair on debut (at the hands of Mitchell Johnson), Elgar has come of age of late and now has more test centuries than half centuries – a fantastic effort from an opener. His double of 140 and 89 was exactly what his side required when they found themselves in trouble early in both innings in Dunedin.

The Match Odds*

New Zealand – $3.40

Draw – $4.25

South Africa – $1.90

*All odds from Bet365.

The Prediction

The weather forecast is again looking okay despite some horror weather in NZ of late. That said, the flat surface may mean another draw is on the cards. In order for it to happen Elgar needs to bat forever again and the Black Caps will need to show some mettle without Ross Taylor.

The Best Bets

Henry Nicholls has had some success against South Africa and looks at crazy money for a specialist batsman to top score. He’s worth the $8 being offered at Bet365.

Philander will enjoy the conditions at the Basin Reserve and performed well last time he played there. Strongly consider him to be top bowl at $3.40.

New Zealand Underdogs Against Proteas Despite Strong Home Form

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Despite a solid home summer of cricket, where they’ve dispatched Pakistan and Bangladesh with ease, New Zealand start as underdogs in the three test series against South Africa starting Wednesday in Dunedin.

They’re up against it because they have never beaten South Africa in a test series, managing to draw only three of the fifteen series’ the teams have played against one another (four wins).

The Last Time These Two Met

New Zealand was completely outplayed when the team last met in a test series. Hosted in South Africa, the Black Caps were pasted by 204 runs in the second test match at Centurion after the first match was rained out.

The series loss proceeded further losses in South Africa in 2013 (both games lost by an innings, including the infamous test in which New Zealand was bowled out for 45 after Brendon McCulllum replaces Ross Taylor as captain).

Closer to home, a 2012 series was won by South Africa one-nil. That series largely remembered for a gritty coming of age hundred by Kane Williamson to save the game in Wellington.

The Teams

New Zealand (probable):

1 Tom Latham, 2 Jeet Raval, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Henry Nicholls, 6 BJ Watling (wk), 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Colin de Grandhomme/James Neesham, 9 Neil Wagner, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Trent Boult

New Zealand has the option of playing two spinners in Dunedin with the inclusion of Jeetan Patel in the test squad. The canny off-spinner had success in the ODI series but may still miss out if the Black Caps prefer the three main quicks. Jimmy Neesham is also in the squad as an all-around option and will compete with de Grandhomme for a place in the side.

South Africa (probable):

1 Stephen Cook, 2 Dean Elgar, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Faf du Plessis (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 Temba Bavuma, 7 Quinton de Kock (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Kagiso Rabada

More Morkel returns to top level cricket to complement Rabada and Philander in the pace attack, while Maharaj is the one spinner.

The Key Players

New Zealand

Neil Wagner’s 41 wickets in 2016 put him, surprisingly, in the top ten wicket-takers for the calendar year. A whopping ten more than New Zealand’s next best (Trent Boult), Wagner became, out of nowhere, the Black Caps most important bowler. Capable of bowling long spells of obnoxious short pitched bowling, Wagner will again be combative and dangerous in this series.

South Africa

If the New Zealand batsman found Kagiso Rabada difficult to face in the ODI series, where he led the wicket-takers, just imagine how tricky they’ll have it surviving seven over spells of his unrelenting accuracy. With more match fitness than Philander and Morkel, he’s the key strike bowler for the Proteas.

The Match Odds*

New Zealand – $3.25

Draw – $4.50

South Africa – $1.90

*All odds from Bet365.

The Prediction

University Oval has seen four draws in the seven games the ground has hosted. That could be on the cards here too with a bad weather bomb impacting the North Island of New Zealand and potentially drifting down the country. We’re favouring the draw.

The Best Bets

Ross Taylor averages 78 from 6 matches at University Oval; it’s the best record for New Zealand batsmen at the ground so he could be worth a look at $5 to top score.

University Oval can get pretty flat, meaning Neil Wagner’s short pitched filth could be needed. Take a punt on him at $3.5 to lead the wicket takers if you think he’ll do well against his fellow countrymen and is over his recent finger injury.