Oracle of DelphiCricket South Africa v Australia First Test
February 26th 2009 05:50
Australia are in for more of the same during the First Test at The Wanderers, writes Nick Tedeschi.
Australia will field their most inexperienced team in recent history with up to four debutants set to take part in the First Test. Phil Hughes is a certainty to play his first Test as Simon Katich's opening partner. Marcus North has likely played himself into the team after a brilliant all-round performance that saw him net two fifties and a six wicket haul in Australia's only tour match.
Ben Hilfenhaus may have slipped past Doug Bollinger, who has played only the one Test match, as Australia's third quick. And if Australia chooses to play a specialist spinner, Bryce McGain will make his Test debut at the age of 38. If McGain does not play, Andrew McDonald will play as the second all-rounder. He also has only one Test cap. Peter Siddle is assured a spot in the bowling attack despite only having played four Test matches.
It is simply impossible to bet such an inexperienced and unproven team, particularly when the match is being played overseas and the team is coming off a series in which they were completely dominated.
Throw in the injury to Michael Clarke that has seen his practice time reduced and the indifferent form of Michael Hussey and Australia's task of outscoring a confident South Africa while taking twenty wickets with such an inexperienced attack seems monumental, if not impossible.
South Africa, brimming with confidence, have such an in-form batting line-up that former vice captain Ashwell Prince, who averaged 64.28 in 2008, cannot get a game. South Africa's bowling attack also proved explosive and well balanced in Australia.
Traders looking to profit from the match will lay Australia in the Match Odds market and can lay them up to 4.75. With a result in the last eight Test matches at The Wanderers and in fourteen of the last eighteen Tests since 1994, don't expect the prospect of a draw to loom too heavily, despite it being favoured in the market as of writing. Traders can lay the draw up to 2.60 as well.
Those looking to play the exotics can find value in a number of markets.
Australia can be bet in the Opening Partnership market down to 1.80. South African opener Neil McKenzie was the only batsman who struggled in Australia and with Graeme Smith returning from injury, an early South African wicket would not surprise.
Simon Katich had a stellar summer in Australia and has relished in his role as Australia's number one opener. He is a good wager at better than 5.0 in the Top Australian 1st Innings Bat market.
Ricky Ponting has been matched up against Jacques Kallis in a first innings head-to-head market and looks a great bet in same at better than 1.75. Kallis had a relatively disappointing year in 2008, averaging only 14.85 against England before scoring at 37.40 an innings in Australia. With Ricky Ponting keen to show some leadership for his young side, he will have a big score in mind. Bet him to outscore Kallis.
Australia will field their most inexperienced team in recent history with up to four debutants set to take part in the First Test. Phil Hughes is a certainty to play his first Test as Simon Katich's opening partner. Marcus North has likely played himself into the team after a brilliant all-round performance that saw him net two fifties and a six wicket haul in Australia's only tour match.
Ben Hilfenhaus may have slipped past Doug Bollinger, who has played only the one Test match, as Australia's third quick. And if Australia chooses to play a specialist spinner, Bryce McGain will make his Test debut at the age of 38. If McGain does not play, Andrew McDonald will play as the second all-rounder. He also has only one Test cap. Peter Siddle is assured a spot in the bowling attack despite only having played four Test matches.
It is simply impossible to bet such an inexperienced and unproven team, particularly when the match is being played overseas and the team is coming off a series in which they were completely dominated.
Throw in the injury to Michael Clarke that has seen his practice time reduced and the indifferent form of Michael Hussey and Australia's task of outscoring a confident South Africa while taking twenty wickets with such an inexperienced attack seems monumental, if not impossible.
South Africa, brimming with confidence, have such an in-form batting line-up that former vice captain Ashwell Prince, who averaged 64.28 in 2008, cannot get a game. South Africa's bowling attack also proved explosive and well balanced in Australia.
Traders looking to profit from the match will lay Australia in the Match Odds market and can lay them up to 4.75. With a result in the last eight Test matches at The Wanderers and in fourteen of the last eighteen Tests since 1994, don't expect the prospect of a draw to loom too heavily, despite it being favoured in the market as of writing. Traders can lay the draw up to 2.60 as well.
Those looking to play the exotics can find value in a number of markets.
Australia can be bet in the Opening Partnership market down to 1.80. South African opener Neil McKenzie was the only batsman who struggled in Australia and with Graeme Smith returning from injury, an early South African wicket would not surprise.
Simon Katich had a stellar summer in Australia and has relished in his role as Australia's number one opener. He is a good wager at better than 5.0 in the Top Australian 1st Innings Bat market.
Ricky Ponting has been matched up against Jacques Kallis in a first innings head-to-head market and looks a great bet in same at better than 1.75. Kallis had a relatively disappointing year in 2008, averaging only 14.85 against England before scoring at 37.40 an innings in Australia. With Ricky Ponting keen to show some leadership for his young side, he will have a big score in mind. Bet him to outscore Kallis.
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