The second of three test matches between Australia and South Africa gets under way at the MCG on Boxing Day and after taking out the first test inside two days Australia are short price favourites.
The first test took place in Brisbane last week, Australia won the toss and opted to bowl first and they had the Proteas 4 down with just 27 runs on the board. Bavuma (38) and Verreynne (64) averted a complete capitulation but the innings closed on 152 all out in the 49th over. Starc and Lyon took 3 wickets a piece, Boland and Cummins both finished with 2.
In reply Australia stumbled to 27/3 but Travis Head made 92 and Australia posted 218 all out in 50.3 overs. Rabada took 4 wickets, Jansen 3 and Nortje 2.
In the second innings the Proteas lost the top 3 in their batting order with just 5 runs on the board, Zondo top scored with 36 and they were bowled out for 99 with Cummins claiming 5 more wickets. Australia's second knock of 35/4 saw the game finish before COP on Day 2, Rabada took all 4 of the wickets to fall.
Travis Head was named Man of the Match and this was how the sides lined up in the series opener.
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
South Africa: Dean Elgar (c), Sarel Erwee, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi
Recent Head to Head
The most recent series came in SA in March 2019 when the Australian ball tampering scandal made the headlines and the Proteas won the series 3-1.
In November 2016 the Proteas were 2-1 winners in Australia.
The MCG
Over the course of the last decade Australia have won 6, drawn 2 and lost 2 of 10 test matches at this venue, all of which started on Boxing Day.
The most recent test at the MCG 12 months ago saw Australia (267) thrash England (185 and 68) by an innings and 14 runs. Scott Boland claimed 7 wickets in the match including 6 in the second innings.
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The Betting - 2nd Test Match
At the time of writing Australia are 7/20 to win the match with the draw at 7/1 and South Africa are 4/1
Labuschagne and Steve Smith are 11/4 joint favourites to top score for Australia in the first innings and Elgar is 11/4 favourite to do likewise for South Africa
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
It looks ominous for South Africa. Rabada in the wickets and Kyle Verreynne's first innings knock both warrant a mention but even taking the surface in Brisbane into account it's tough to see them turning this around.
Watch the media for news of whether Hazlewood will return from injury for Australia as Scott Boland boasts serious form at this venue but the Australian attack will be strong either way.
On to the picks.
Temba Bavuma was the Proteas top run scorer across both innings in Brisbane which earns him the vote to top score for SA in the first knock at what I believe to be a nice price.
I'll stick with Nortje in the top SA wicket taker market (1st innings).
Bets: SA Top 1st innings wicket taker Nortje at 7/2 with Sunbet
SA top 1st innings run scorer Temba Bavuma at 5/1 with Sunbet
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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