The Test series between Australia and New Zealand begins in Perth on Thursday when the two sides battle it out in the first day-night match to be staged at the Perth Stadium, something else that will add to the intrigue of it.
Both teams head into the series in good form but with this only being three matches long, the winner here gets to gain complete control of proceedings heading into the big Boxing Day match in a couple of weeks.
Australia
The Pakistan series was a warm up for this one but Australia used it very wisely. I say that because their major batsmen all got good runs while Pakistan offered up enough resistance to test their bowlers without overworking them. It is very rare that a side, least of all a home one, gets the opportunity to have preparation as good as that. Their task now is to take advantage of that and pick up where they left off.
You could suggest this is the best venue for Australia to begin this series because the heat and humidity is almost certain to benefit their bowling attack and with their batsmen in good form, you get the feeling Australia will be as hard to beat here as they were over at the WACA back in the day. As long as they don’t get too carried away with the conditions that are on offer here it is tough to see Australia not dominating.
New Zealand
I would suggest this is as much of a mental test as it is a physical one for New Zealand. Not only are they the lesser nation in this rivalry in terms of size, but they will be in the lion’s den so to speak for much of the match. New Zealand do have a lot of experienced players at their disposal which will be key, especially in the times when Australia are on top, but what they need to find is a way to counteract things when they are under pressure.
Early wickets are going to be crucial for New Zealand. If they don’t get them it is going to be hard to see them being all that competitive. If they can get early wickets then the invention of Kane Williamson as captain could get them heavily involved here. It isn’t just about them in the field though. They are going to have to find ways to score against bowling that are going to be at home with the conditions on show.
Place 5 accumulators either in a Boylesports shop or online and get an acca free! Click the image above to bet. 18+ T&Cs apply. Gamble Aware.
Team News
It is expected that Australia will go in with the same XI that took to the field in both the matches against Pakistan last month. That means James Pattinson is once again going to have to wait his chance for a return.
New Zealand have doubts over the fitness of Trent Boult and he still hasn’t been passed fit to play. If he doesn’t make it then these conditions would be ideal for Lockie Ferguson to make his debut in. The remainder of the side could be unchanged.
Perth Stadium
This will be the second Test match to have been staged at this new Perth venue. Australia thrashed India in the first one, a match which was low scoring with 326 the highest score in any of the four innings. It might not be quite as low scoring here although given the insane and intense heat, spin could come to the party once again after Nathan Lyon took eight wickets here last year.
This is the first time the pink ball has been used here though which could change the dynamic of everything. I would expect the batsmen to enjoy much of the early stages of the match with the bowlers coming into it in the evening session and the longer it goes on. We should be treated to some excellent cricket.
Betting
Nathan Lyon had an outstanding match here last year with eight wickets, 14 runs and a catch for a total of 184 performance points and so I think the 100.5 line on offer here could be a little on the low side for a man who is still an underrated cricketer. That will act as my only bet on the game given that it is a day-night match and they can be a little unpredictable at the best of times in fairness.
Lyon goes into the match off the back of a five wicket haul in the second innings in Adelaide in his last Test match. That was with the pink ball as well and if he has an innings like that in this match then you would think it is almost impossible for this line not to be covered. There is enough to suggest that New Zealand won’t capitulate to the Australian seamers in the way that Pakistan did so there should be plenty of scope for Lyon to get involved in this one. I’ll take over 100.5 on his performance.
Tips
WON – Back N.Lyon’s Performance – Over 100.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Betfair
Back him here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2019
