Australia vs South Africa: 2nd Take a look at Preview & Betting Suggestions

As anticipated, Australia acquired the higher of South Africa within the first of three Take a look at matches down beneath. Aided by a inexperienced seaming pitch, the bowlers dominated in Brisbane, with 34 wickets falling in simply two days.

The same narrative performed out final Boxing Day, so will probably be attention-grabbing to see what occurs between these two sides on Australian cricket’s greatest stage – a Boxing Day Take a look at match on the MCG. 

Josh Nevett takes an in depth take a look at the competition along with his free preview and cricket betting ideas for the 2nd Take a look at between Australia and South Africa.

Australia vs South Africa 2nd Take a look at Preview & Betting Suggestions

MCG, Melbourne, Monday December 26th, 10:30am (AEDT)

Squads

Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Inexperienced, Marcus Harris, Lance Morris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Michael Neser, Josh Hazlewood

South Africa: Dean Elgar (c), Temba Bavuma, Gerald Coetzee, Theunis de Bruyn, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Glenton Stuurman, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Khaya Zondo

Match Preview

It’s tough to course of what occurred within the first match of this sequence.

Simply two days have been required for a outcome to be reached, with Australia claiming a six-wicket victory in a match that contained 34 wickets and simply 504 runs.

Many, together with myself, anticipated South Africa to wrestle with the bat on this sequence, however the pitch served up on the Gabba definitely didn’t do them any favours.

Batting first, the Proteas might solely handle 152. Kyle Verreyne prime scored with 64 after Cummins, Starc and Boland ripped via the highest order.

Australia’s quicks definitely took benefit of the beneficial situations, every returning a number of wickets within the first innings.

In reply, Travis Head was the one batsman to grasp the minefield, scoring a telling 92 off 96 to earn Participant of the Match honours. Kagiso Rabada (4-76) and Marco Jansen (3-32) have been the chief destroyers as South Africa stored Australia to 218.

The optimism generated from that bowling effort was short-lived although, as South Africa mustered simply 99 of their second dig. Skipper Pat Cummins led from the entrance, taking 5-42 because the guests imploded.

Australia misplaced 4 wickets (all to Rabada) of their pursuit of a meagre whole, validating criticism of the Gabba wicket that has endured proper via the leadup to the second Take a look at.

Nonetheless, the straightforward truth is that South Africa is not going to win a Take a look at in Australia until they will bat lengthy and provides the bowlers defendable totals.

In any case, the primary Take a look at suits the current norm for the Proteas, it was not an exception – Dean Elgar’s aspect was dismissed for lower than 200 4 occasions within the sequence towards England. 

It gained’t get any simpler for the guests both. Josh Hazlewood is combating to place his hand up for Scott Boland’s spot within the Australian XI, including to an already enviable tempo battery.

David Warner will play his 100th Take a look at for the hosts, whereas followers have been inspired to pay tribute to the late, nice Shane Warne by sporting a wide-brim hat and zinc.

Given the importance of the event, I can see Australia’s seamers working riot once more to seal a sequence victory on the MCG, nonetheless from a betting perspective, it is arduous to get excited by their quick value.

Prop Bets

Head is coming into his personal as a middle-order batsman for Australia, demonstrated by his current performances on house soil. The flamboyant left-hander has hit a half-century within the first innings of every of his final three Take a look at matches, with all these scores over 92. With the shine off the ball, I anticipate Head to thrive as soon as once more on Boxing Day.

To Rating 50 in 1st Inns – Travis Head – $2.63 at Ladbrokes

South Africa misplaced their first wicket for 12 and a pair of in every innings, respectively, of the primary Take a look at. Whereas the pitch in Brisbane was worse than the MCG wicket is prone to be, neither of the openers encourage confidence in me, particularly on such a giant stage.

South Africa – Fall of 1st wicket Beneath 25.5 runs – 1st inns – $1.83 at Ladbrokes