Couch Critic provides his betting tips for the first test match between Australia and New Zealand which gets underway in Perth on Thursday 12th December
AUSTRALIA vs NEW ZEALAND Perth – Thursday, 12 December @ 07:00
SETTING THE SCENE
Both New Zealand and the Aussies come into this series off the back of home series victories over England and Pakistan respectively. The Black Caps and the Baggy Greens will square off in a Day-Night test in Perth for the 1st of three tests as these two sides jostle to determine who has to doff the cap to their neighbour.
LET’S TALK TACTICS
Australia have their three-man fast bowling attack operating at full capacity with Mitch Starc in particular finding good form against the Pakistanis. With bat in hand Steve Smith and David Warner being back in the mix has made a huge difference whilst the incredible patch of form Marnus Labuschagne finds himself in is an unexpected bonus. It seems a tough task for any side to try and get three these three runscorers without much damage added to the scoreboard.
New Zealand themselves have found a formidable fast bowling unit. Tim Southee is an experienced hand who will find swing if there is any on offer. Ditto Trent Boult who has the added benefit of being a left hander who compliments the attack well. Colin de Grandhomme wont strike fear in many with his pace but adds vital consistency. Neil Wagener is a never-say-die fighter who looks to use absolutely everything and anything at his disposal to make things awkward for those facing him. Latham and Watling once again showed against the Poms that there is more to the Kiwi batting than Taylor and Williamson yet the top two both notched up hundreds in the second innings of the second test to underline that they are still in good touch and vital cogs in the wheel of the New Zealanders.
Perth hosted the second test versus India at this same stage last year. On that occasion Nathan Lyon picked up eight wickets on a Perth track that could be called fair but not exactly spicy. The pink ball could however help to add a bit more for the quick men to enjoy yet we should still seem some decent scores achieved.
HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT
There are still some doubts around whether Boult will be fit in time for the opener in Perth. He could be lethal with the pink ball but recent form shows Wagner as the supreme wicket taker – he comes into this match of the back of two five wicket hauls in three innings and is now rated the fourth best bowler in Test cricket at present.
The form of Warner and Labuschagne meant that Steve Smith wasn’t really required to pitch in with too much from his side against Pakistan. On this occasion the prolific Aussie batter will want to get amongst the runs early I am sure.From the Kiwi perspective Williamson remains the star and he will want to get his team off to a strong start in the first test. I will however opt for a bit of security by backing him over both innings.
It’s not a given that the ball will be hooping around all that much in Perth but Starc with pink ball in hand and swinging it at pace is a dangerous sight whether you are a Pakistan batsman from the sub-continent or a New Zealander use to facing Boult, Ferguson and Wagner.
Best Bets with BETOLIMP:
Top New Zealand 1st Inns Bowler – N Wagner @ 4.00
Batsman to score a fifty in the 1st Inns – S Smith @ 1.83
Batsman to score a fifty in the match – K Williamson @ 1.83
Man of the Match – M Starc @ 10.00
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
Couch Critic
