Couch Critic provides his betting tips for the second test match between Australia and New Zealand which gets underway in Melbourne on Boxing Day
Whilst South Africa and England steel themselves for something that can be likened to the dance of the desperates it's much more a case of quality versus quality in Australia as the neighbours go at it. The second test takes place in Melbourne as New Zealand look to hit back after defeat.
SETTING THE SCENE
The Black Caps promised to be priming for a proper fight this time around in the old rivalry yet went belly-up in the pink ball test in Perth. Marnus Labuschagne kept the good times rolling with almost 200 runs in the match. No one else was able to get within 100 of his efforts. With the ball Wagner and Southee performed well but Mitch Starc was devastating with the pink ball in hand to claim 9 wickets in the match. At the end of the day Williamson didn't get amongst the runs and that meant failure for the visitors.
HOW I SEE THE TEST PLAYING OUT
All the talk in the build up to this Boxing Day clash has been focused on the Melbourne pitch. In years gone by the track has proven a bit slow and lifeless. The concrete base under the pitch was recently removed but in Shield cricket the groundsman took the wicket too far the other way and the match had to be abandoned. There will be pressure on everyone involved to ensure this proves a quality track. I'm expecting a fair challenge between bat and ball but the form the Aussie bowlers are in at present should mean that they will be able to extract enough from the conditions to pick up 20 sticks.
This time last year the Aussies were humbled by India at the MCG. The visitors were able to pass 400 and after that the seamers all enjoyed the occasion. Pat Cummins and Bumrah both picked up a bag full of wickets.
New Zealand should have Trent Boult back for this clash. Their trio of Southee, Boult and Wagener aren't too far off what their opponents will be putting out into the field so it really is just down to their batsmen somehow managing enough runs to give them a shot. For the home side it's a case of more of the same with Warner and Labuschagne in great form and Steve Smith surely raring to play a big one. James Pattinson should come in for the injured Josh Hazzlewood and scarily enough the baggy greens won't be losing much with this swop.
BETTING ANGLE
Mitch Starc is in superb rhythm at present and "Loose-bus-change" has been coining it with the willow for the Aussies. Yet for this second test I will look to Pat Cummins to emulate what he did here 12 months ago. Steve Smith has also had a quiet few tests and with Marnus surely due a smaller score Smith should have a good chance of being the top contributor on this occasion.
For New Zealand Williamson just has to take up the challenge and the returning Boult will be vital for the visitors.
BETS
Top AUS 1st Inns Bat - S Smith @ 3.50
Top NZ 1st Inns Bat - K Williamson @ 3.50
Top NZ 1st Inns Bowler - T Boult @ 3.50
Man of the Match - P Cummins @ 14.50
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
Couch Critic
