Tag: Australia

Australia Face Stern Indian Test in Series Opener

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Ever since Rahul David and VVS Laxman defied Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath for an entire day in 2001, test matches between India and Australia have taken on renewed meaning. That series is often used in the same breath as the Ashes 2005 in discussions about the greatest ever series.

The Australian, Indian rivalry is drama, romance and controversy rolled into one. Games in the uncomfortable heat of the subcontinent on dry turning pitches somehow flip the Australian batsman’s skills to the extent that Shaun Marsh becomes one of their better players. And, in Australia, booze soaked fans in Bay 13 get involved in heated sledging battles with Virat Kohli on behalf of their team’s bowlers.

There’s nothing quite like it. And we can’t wait for the four match test series to begin on Thursday in Pune.

The Last Time These Two Met

Since 2004/05 neither of these two sides has managed to win a series away from home. In fact, a series win aboard has only got harder as the teams and respective groundsman seek to produce wickets that complement the home sides competencies.

Moreover, in the last four series encounters between the two, dating back to 2008, the away side hasn’t managed to win a game. The history is starting to look like clean sheet football scores.

The most recent meeting was down under in the 2014/15 season. India was actually very brave in that series and the 2-0 scoreline was a little unkind to them. However, if we’re going to compare apples with apples, we should look at the last time these two played in Indian conditions.

That was in 2012 and was won 4-0 by India. It was an Australian debacle under Mickey Arthur that’s become famous for the homework scandal that’s had a fair bit of publicity in autobiographies recently. India won the games in that series by 8 wickets; an innings and 135 runs; 6 wickets; and, 6 wickets respectively.

The Teams

India (from):

Virat Kohli (capt), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinav Mukund, Karun Nair, Hardik Pandya, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, M Vijay, Jayant Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav

India is relatively well-settled and shouldn’t make too many changes to the team that comprehensively beat England.

Australia (from)

Steven Smith (capt), David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Agar, Steve O’Keefe, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Nathan Lyon

The Australian selectors have three decisions to make. In the opening position do they opt for the promising Matt Renshaw, or the sub continent experienced (and successful), Shaun Marsh. If Renshaw is chosen, then Marsh will bat in the middle order, possibly at the expense of Usman Khawaja. Khawaja’s absence also frees up room to play an all-rounder at six – should that be Mitchell Marsh or Glenn Maxwell?

The Key Players

India

Like there is anyone else we could feature in this section. Virat Kohli. While Ravi Ashwin is almost as important to this team, Kohli is the talisman who is crucial to setting his side’s tone against the confrontational Australians. He gives his team belief and that’s worth more than any of the runs he scores. He’ll probably get some runs too, though. He averages over 56 against the Aussies at home, and his recent run of form reads 204, 15, 235, 6*, 62, 81, 167, 49* – not bad.

Australia

Just like Kohli is important for the home side, Steven Smith is too for his (this section should be called Captains, not Key Players). Smith’s only played two test matches in India, but he has tons of experience through the IPL and in other sub-continent nations. Smith will need big runs in this series and signs are looking good after his warm up 107 against India A.

The Match Odds*

India – $1.60

Draw – $3.80

Australia – $5.50

*All odds from Sportsbet.

The Prediction

During England’s recent tour of India, they scored over 400 batting first three times out of five and still lost 4-0. The trouble was those big scores only got them a first innings lead on one occasion. India was and are simply too good at compelling huge totals on their favoured surface. And once they do, their spinners will make things close to impossible in the second innings. India will win by 8 wickets or 130 runs.

The Best Bets

Cheteshwar Pujara is in good form (two hundreds and three fifties against England) and could go big again. He’s at $3.75 to go all the way to three figures.

Peter Handscombe scored fifties at will in the Australian home summer, if he can do it again here, he’ll return you $2.88.

Series Sweep Beckons for Plucky Sri Lankans

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Wednesday’s T20 series finale between Australia and Sri Lanka was always in the spotlight. When the futures cricket schedule was shunned in favour of the big three proposition (a model that is now defunct) criticisms over the amount of cricket the big three (India, England, Australia) would play were rife.

To put the criticism in context, Australia plays a test in India on the day after the third T20 game.

The criticism is valid, but because of the performance from Sri Lanka in winning the opening two games, the focus on Adelaide is entirely different. Now, it’s Australia desperate to avoid an embarrassing whitewash on home soil.

The Series So Far

Sri Lanka won the series opener at the MCG, taking four off the final ball of the game to win a low scorer.

In Geelong for game two, Australia mustered 173 (about 10-15 runs short of where they should’ve been) which was again hauled down from the final ball of the innings. The incredible run chase was completed by the uber-impressive Asela Gunaratne who made 84 not out from 46 balls in a one-man show. The cheeky (in batsmanship not in personality) never panicked as his team mates lost their heads and remarkably, took 48 from the final three overs to see his side home by two wickets.

With the win, Sri Lanka secure their third successive T20 series win in Australia.

The Teams

Australia (from):

Aaron Finch (capt), Michael Klinger, Travis Head, Ben Dunk, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Tim Paine (wk), James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake.

Ben Dunk and Jhye Richardson got their chance in Geelong instead of Adam Zampa and Billy Stanlake so there’s a good chance rotation plays a part in the selection thinking here too. Dunk helped Australia chase the momentum of the innings and probably did enough to retain his place.

Sri Lanka (from):

Upal Tharanga (c), Niroshan Dickwella, Asela Gunarathna, Dilshan Munaweera, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardena, Sachith Pathirana, Chamara Kapugedara, Seekuge Prassanna, Nuan Kulaskera, Isuru Udana, Dasun Chanaka, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga, Vikum Sanjaya.Captain

With a series win in the bag, it might be tempting for the selectors to make some changes, but I don’t think they’ll win. The prospect of a series whitewash should outweigh any desire to rest players in the final game of a tour.

The Key Players

Australia

Moses Henriques may have bowled the over that allowed Sri Lanka to claw back into the game – the 18th of the innings; it went for 22. However, he also ensured Australia had a decent total to defend with an exceptionally well made half century. Henriques, with the added responsibility of batting four, was impressive in his 56 not out from 37 balls, finally showing promise in national colours after some horror outings in the past. Look for him to again be the mainstay of the batting effort, but perhaps not bowling crunch over at the death.

Sri Lanka

It’s hard not to preview anyone other than the amazing little right-hander that has set the series alight. Gunarathna has made (and averaged) 136 runs in the two games at a strike rate of 163. Aaron Finch described him as being incredibly difficult to bowl to, and that’s exactly how it has transpired in both games of the series. Gunarathna will now chase Virat Kohli’s record of 199 runs in a three-match T20 series – he needs 64 to beat Kohli’s current best aggregate.

The Match Odds*

Australia – $1.52

Sri Lanka – $2.53

*Odds from Bet365.

The Prediction

Each match in the series has seen Sri Lanka’s odds shorten ahead of the game. From $4.10 to win the first game, $2.87 to win Sunday’s second game, to the current $2.53 it has been a sensational series win against all predictions. We were wrong too, picking Australia in both the opening two games. We’re not making that mistake again. Sri Lanka to sweep it with a 3 wicket or 6 run win.

The Best Bets

We’re all in on Gunarathna to top score. He’s paying $6 to top score for the third straight game.

Henriques who has looked the most accomplished of the Australian side is paying the same. At $6 that’s attractive for a number four batsman who should spend lots of time in the middle. Ben Dunk is your other nicely priced option at $5.

Australia Facing Prospect of Series Upset in Geelong Twenty20

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

While the stars of the Australian cricket landscape were plundering runs against the India A side ahead of their test series, the second stringers (and unkind but convenient title in this case) lost a tight Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka in Melbourne. The contrast highlights the intricacies of cricket scheduling but also proves that the Sri Lankans are a real chance to take a rare series win on Australian soil.

The Series So Far

A final call boundary from the bat of Chamara Kapugedera saw Sri Lanka get over the line at the MCG. Chasing a middling 169 to win, contributions from Dickwella, Gunaratne and Munaweera were enough for Sri Lanka to sneak home against the makeshift Australian outfit.

Australia’s 168 was built around Aaron Finch’s 43, Michael Klinger 38 and Travis Head’s 31, but ultimately lacked a decisive innings that took the game by the scruff of the neck. The smaller Geelong venue for Sunday’s game might be conducive to bigger scores and more sixes (there were just five in the game on Friday).

The Teams

Australia (from):

Aaron Finch (capt), Michael Klinger, Travis Head, Ben Dunk, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Tim Paine (wk), James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake.

Ben Dunk and Jhye Richardson didn’t play in Melbourne so could be in line for a game, however, if Australia prefers that the same squad atone for their own efforts, there might not be changes.

Sri Lanka (from):

Upal Tharanga (c), Niroshan Dickwella, Asela Gunarathna, Dilshan Munaweera, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardena, Sachith Pathirana, Chamara Kapugedara, Seekuge Prassanna, Nuan Kulaskera, Isuru Udana, Dasun Chanaka, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga, Vikum Sanjaya.Captain

Sri Lanka came through the series opener unscathed; they are unlikely to make changes aside from potentially resting Malinga and managing his comeback workloads.

The Key Players

Australia

Discarded then recalled captain Aaron Finch is the most experienced member of the Australian side and is therefore expected to lead the side diligently and score the bulk of their runs. With 29 matches under his belt he’s played significantly more cricket than his peers and needs to turn the 40-odd he made in Melbourne into a sixty or seventy; a score that will get Australia closer to 180 / 190. That said the signs were promising in game one.

Sri Lanka

Malinga has still got it. The biomechanics exception was back to his death bowling best on Friday night; slinging down four overs for just 29 runs as well as picking up two wickets. The left armer will be pleased with his return from a serious knee injury and he’ll be especially pleased with the way he was used by his captain – short bursts with both old and new ball. He’ll be dangerous again tomorrow night. Hopefully, he’s not rested.

The Match Odds*

Australia – $1.40

Sri Lanka – $2.87

*Odds from Bet365.

The Prediction

An inexperienced Australian side is an interesting beast. On one hand, they’re Australian and they’ll bounce back strongly from the loss at their home of cricket, but the other hand says, they’re still just a raw side; playing a team that has now won three out of their last four games in the format. The bookies have given them more of a chance in game two, but the home side is still the favourites – we’ll go with them too because we want a series decider.

The Best Bets

As a cricketer, Travis Head makes a lot of starts. He very rarely falls for scores of less than ten. As an example, in his last 11 innings’ in ODI cricket he has failed to pass 24 just once. In amongst those scores are four 50s and one hundred. Find a market that predicts Head will fail and bet against it or take the $4.33 at Bet365 on offer for him to top score.

Malinga Returns to Cricket in Secondary Series

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Much has been made of the scheduling impacting the two sides ahead of the three match Twenty20 series between Sri Lanka and Australia that gets underway at the MCG on Friday. Critics, including Australia’s vice-captain, David Warner, have been vocal in their condemnation of the series that starts just seven days after Sri Lanka spent three months touring South Africa and finishes one day before Australia are due to take on India in an away test series.

Optimists, however, see it as an opportunity to blood new talent and Australia has done that in spades. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has used it to welcome back old talent in the form of Lasith Malinga. The mercurial left armer returns after 12 months away from the game through injury.

Question marks over his body and form and that of some of the Australian newbies should still provide enough value in game one.

The Last Time These Two Met

Australia has taken the honours in the previous two meetings between the sides that were contested in Sri Lanka in September 2016. That said, it’s a vastly different Australian side now than it was then. The bulk of Australia’s side are either rested, injured or have been sent to India to familiarise themselves with conditions ahead of the four-test series starting at the end of February.

Perhaps the Australians haven’t noted the 6-4 winning record the Sri Lankans enjoy in the overall head to head.

The Teams

Australia (from):

Aaron Finch (capt), Michael Klinger, Travis Head, Ben Dunk, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Tim Paine (wk), James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake.

Michael Klinger is in line for an international debut at the age of 36, while Tim Paine could get his first game for Australia after six years since his last. Fast bowler Jhye Richardson and all-rounder Ashton Turner are uncapped and could debut.

Sri Lanka (likely):

Upal Tharanga (c), Niroshan Dickwella, Asela Gunarathna, Dilshan Munaweera, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardena, Sachith Pathirana, Chamara Kapugedara, Seekuge Prassanna, Nuan Kulaskera, Isuru Udana, Dasun Chanaka, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga, Vikum Sanjaya.

Captain Angelo Matthews is missing with a hamstring injury, and replacement skipper, Dinesh Chandimal has been dropped. That leaves Upul Tharanga to lead the young side, who despite being underdogs here, could have some confidence under their belts after winning the T20 series against South Africa last month.

The Key Players

Australia

Pat Cummins is quickly becoming a serious wicket-taking threat in the short format cricket after returning from injury. But more than that he’s actually learning to be pretty useful with the bat. Cummins was used as high as six for his Sydney Thunder BBL team and ably supported Marcus Stones during his unreliable Auckland effort recently. He’ll be a threat with his short-pitched bowling, as he will be with the blade.

Sri Lanka

The star of the recent series win against the highly fancied South Africans was Niroshan Dickwella. The opening batsman made scores of 43, 22 and 68 in a low scoring series to overshadow AB de Villiers’ return to cricket. He also topped the run scoring charts at an average of 39 in the ODI series that followed, proving he’ll be a threat in this series.

The Match Odds

Australia – $1.28 at Palmerbet.

Sri Lanka – $4.10 at Sportsbet.

The Prediction

While the Sri Lankans head the overall meetings between the two sides and have won all three of their previous T20 games in South Africa, it’s hard to see them getting the better of the admittedly weaker home side after such a draining tour of South Africa. Australia to win by 30 runs or 4 wickets.

The Best Bets

Ben Dunk, coming off an incredible Big Bash season (which surprisingly saw him miss out on the squad first time around) is great money to top score at $5 from Sportsbet. They’re also offering $4 for Cummins taking the most wickets for the home side – both are great options.

Australia to Close Out Pakistan 4-1 Ahead of Chappell-Hadlee Trip

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The Adelaide Oval will host the final one day international of the tour between Australia and Pakistan on Thursday. The series has already been won by Australia, so Pakistan is simply playing for pride, which is a difficult proposition in any form of sport at the end of a long trip.

Adelaide last hosted these two teams during 2015’s World Cup. The sides met in the quarter-final – made famous for Wahhabi Riaz’s spell of fast bowling to Shane Watson – where Australia won by six wickets.

We preview the likelihood of a similar result in game five below.

The Series So Far

Australia leads the series comfortably by three games to one. The most recent win in Sydney came on the back of a massive David Warner hundred and a blitzing Glenn Maxwell cameo. In response to Australia’s 353 (which was helped massively by Pakistan’s clumsy fielding, in a similar way to the way they fielded in the test series), Pakistan only managed 267. They got a breathtaking cameo from Sharjeel Khan but needed it to continue for a lot longer.

With the series already decided, the best Pakistan can achieve is a dead rubber win to lose the series 3-2. It’s hard to know if that’s deserved given they are often their own worst enemies (despite some great cricket at times).

The Teams

Australia (probable)

1 David Warner, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Travis Head, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Peter Handscomb, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 James Faulkener, 9 Adam Zampa, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Mitchell Starc

Australia is likely to tinker with their line-up given they’ve already sown the series up, but it’s hard to know which personnel will be affected. Pat Cummins who has played every game, and in the past been pretty injury prone, might make way for Adam Zampa.

Pakistan (probable)

1 Sharjeel Khan, 2 Azhar Ali (capt), 3 Babar Azam, 4 Mohammad Hafeez, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 8 Imad Wasim, 9 Mohammad Amir, 10 Junaid Khan, 11 Hasan Ali.

There’s no reason why Umar Akmal should play after disappointing in the finisher role throughout the series. Asad Shafiq could replace him, although his series has been equally lean. The only other potential changes are in the bowling stocks info it’s deemed appropriate to rest Amir or Junaid.

The Key Players

Australia

Usman Khawaja has had a difficult series opening the batting instead of regular Aaron Finch. After Travis Head was tried in game one, Khawaja has been used in the remaining games to disappointing effect. He hasn’t passed 30 and now he’s been overlooked for the Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand starting on January 30 (he’s going to India early to prepare on turning wickets). Finch has been included in that series, so Khawaja needs to send the selectors a reminder of his worth in the one day game with a big knock in game five.

Pakistan

Sharjeel Khan was electrifying in Sydney. On a fabulous batting wicket, the left-handed smashed 74 off just 47 balls to heap the pressure on the Australian bowlers. The entertaining innings included ten fours and three sixes and it ended only when leg-spinner Adam Zampa was introduced to the attack. In a dead rubber, the powerful left-handed can throw caution to the wind, which is a dangerous thought for the locals.

The Match Odds*

Australia– $1.21

Pakistan – $4.45

*All odds from Sportsbet.

The Prediction

Australia to take the series 4-1 with another comprehensive victory. When touring sides enter the home stretch of a long, unsuccessful tour the final game is often a bridge too far. With one eye on the flight home, it’s hard to see the Pakistan side being motivated or competitive. Australia by 90 runs or 7 wickets.

The Best Bets

Azhar Ali has recovered from his injury woes and could be a good look for top run scorer. The patient opener doesn’t miss out often, and at $3.75 and a much better player than his teammates, he looks worth a punt.

Steve Smith is at $4 for the same bet. In a series where the captain’s been inconsistent, a strong finish looks likely.

Series at Stake for Pesky Pakistanis

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Steven Smith led his side impressively in game three of the ODI series between Australia and Pakistan in Perth. The Australian captain was commanding in the field, when calling the shots and keeping Pakistan to a below-par 267, and was even better with bat in hand as he finessed his way to a not out hundred.

The captaincy and the batting illustrates a maturity that holds Australia in good stead ahead of their trip to India and the Champions Trophy later this year. But first is a series against Pakistan to finish off. The home side will be hoping to close Pakistan out in game 4 in Sydney.

The Series So Far

A surprisingly competitive series has Australia with a narrow 2-1 lead after wins sandwiched between a surprise loss in Melbourne. In game one, Australia was under immense pressure at 78/5 before recovering and having their bowlers lead them to an easy win. That result was reversed at the MCG where the Australian batsman struggled again and Pakistan chased down 217 comfortably. The most recent match of the series again saw Australia recover from batting wobbles to chase down 268. Thanks mostly to Steve Smith’s beautifully timed run chase. Smith scored a well made hundred while getting support from debutant Peter Handscomb.

The Teams

Australia (probable)

1 David Warner, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Travis Head, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Peter Handscomb, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 James Faulkener, 9 Pat Cummins, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Mitchell Starc

Starc could return to the side instead of Billy Stanlake after being rested at the WACA. The returning Starc will form a formidable trio of strike bowlers with fellow quickies Hazlewood (who was awesome in game three) and Cummins (if he’s not rested in Sydney where it traditionally turns a bit and could favour Adam Zamora).

Pakistan (probable)

1 Sharjeel Khan, 2 Mohammad Hafeez (capt), 3 Babar Azam, 4 Shoaib Malik 5 Assad Shafiq, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 8 Imad Wasim, 9 Mohammad Amir, 10 Junaid Khan, 11 Hasan Ali.

Assad Shafiq and Umar Akumal are under pressure to perform but may keep their places in the side due to a lack of quality replacements. That is unless Azhar Ali is fit to return.

The Key Players

Australia

Despite not taking a wicket in game three James Faulkner still leads the Australian wicket-takers in the series with 6. The canny left armer expertly mixes his cutters, off pace slower balls, and stock back of a length to trouble batsman and keep his economy rate down. Faulkner hasn’t been rested and plays an important wicket-taking role when Starc and Hazlewood are being rotated. Keep an eye on Faulkner’s immense skill as he attacks the middle overs again in Sydney.

Pakistan

Junaid Kahn and Mohammad Amir have both been incredibly dangerous with the ball in the series so far. So much so that they are more of a threat in tandem than they are as individuals. If they’re not rested in game four (Amir is a chance after spending some time off the field in the last match) their combination could be what Pakistan need to even up the series. To do so they must take early wickets and these two are the ones responsible for doing so.

The Match Odds*

Australia– $1.25

Pakistan – $3.75

*All odds from Unibet.

The Prediction

The loss at Melbourne was officially a blip and not the result of two evenly matched teams. Australia has always been dominant in one day cricket at home and this series is no different (game two aside). Normal transmission should continue in Sydney, with another comfortable win for the home side.

The Best Bets

All summer Peter Handscomb has enjoyed unbelievable fortune (he’s also played some great cricket mind you). And when it’s running your way, sometimes as punters it’s best to go with it. Handscomb was out off a no-ball early in his debut innings and went on to score. He’s at $6 to top score again on Sunday.

Shoaib Malik to score fifty is priced nicely at $3.50. Given Malik’s impact on the series so far after missing game one, this could be one Pakistan player worth showing some trust in.