After Pakistan’s win in the second ODI in Melbourne at the weekend there is all to play for when Australia and Pakistan meet for the third ODI of five in Perth on Thursday. That win for the tourists levelled the series up at 1-1 so whoever wins this third match will go one up with two to play so this is a pivotal part of the series.
Australia
It won’t have needed too much of a post mortem to know where Australia went wrong in the previous match. They simply didn’t put up enough runs and when Pakistan don’t need to force the pace with the bat they are always pretty safe and that is how it proved. Australia will need to bat much better in this one to get control of the series again.
As ever though Australia have been bowling quite well in this series and whichever combination they pick you would think they have an attack that is ideally suited to this Perth track so if they can put up the required amount of runs then they can be confident of going one up with two to play in the series.
Pakistan
You have to give complete credit to Pakistan for levelling the series up in Melbourne. After four matches on this tour where they hadn’t really been at the races apart from the run chase in the first Test to show the necessary resolve to chase down a modest total and get themselves back into the series was a good effort.
Pakistan’s success came courtesy of their bowlers and you had the feeling it was always going to be that way. Australia aren’t the only side who have a bowling attack which should enjoy these conditions. This Pakistan attack should love the conditions too and they could really exploit the bounce on offer.
Team News
Mitchell Starc hasn’t even flown to Perth for this match so he is being rested. Billy Stanlake is expected to replace him. Peter Handscomb will come in for his ODI debut in place of Mitchell Marsh. Chris Lynn has been ruled out for the series.
There is a chance that Wahab Riaz could return to the side given the likely bounce in this wicket. Sarfraz Ahmed remains absent while Azhar Ali is still injured so Mohammad Hafeez will skipper the side again.
WACA Ground
Although there have been 79 previous matches on this ground Australia have only featured in 45 of them with a 28-17 winning record. Pakistan have played 18 ODIs here and they have won nine and lost nine of both sides have acceptable records here.
Although the track is famed for the pace and the bounce it provides it is also a high scoring ground. We’ve seen in the Big Bash that the outfield here is lightning fast and the boundaries are relatively on the short side so despite the bounce expect a high scoring match.
Betting
There is a real case to be made for Pakistan to be made in this match. They bring a little bit of confidence and positivity from the last match in with them and with Australia missing Mitchell Starc their batsmen might get a slightly easier ride here which is a positive. With this Australia batting line up not looking as fearsome as some they have put out in the past there is plenty of value in the 3/1 on the tourists.
Australia haven’t completely convinced in this series but one man who is having a good time of it is Matthew Wade. He has made scores of 100 and 35 in the series and snaffled a couple of catches in the second game too. With that in mind his performance target of 40.5pts looks an achievable one on a track which should suit both his batting and catching potential.
Tips
Back Pakistan to win 3rd ODI for a 3/10 stake at 4.00 with Skybet
Back them here:
Back M.Wade’s Performance – Over 40.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
Back him here:
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