India restored a little bit of pride by winning the final ODI against Australia in Sydney on Saturday and they will aim to use that pride and momentum when the two sides play a three match T20 series over the next week.
This isn’t any T20 series. This is proper preparation for the upcoming World T20 and while conditions in the tournament in India will be much different to the ones the sides will encounter in this series it provides a perfect chance to try out some combinations.
Australia’s players will be up to speed with this format of the game as their domestic tournament – the Big Bash League – only finished as recently as Sunday and many of the stars of that tournament have been picked for this series.
Australia have played 78 matches in this format of the game. They’ve won 40 and lost 35 with three no results so they just about have a winning record but in Australia they are 17-7 so they are much more dominant at home.
India’s players probably play more T20 than any other country in the world so they will be comfortable in the format but the conditions are still alien to them and we’ve seen throughout the ODIs that their bowling attack just can’t cope on these wickets. That will need to change if they are to win this series.
In 57 matches India have 31 wins and 24 defeats with a tie and a no result so they are pretty successful in the 20 over sphere although having won the first ICC World T20 they haven’t dominated as much as we might have expected. They’ve won five of nine T20s in Australia.
If I had any faith at all in India’s attack I would take them to win this series but I don’t so it is a no brainer to leave the series betting alone. I can’t be backing Australia because they have openly admitted that senior players will only play the first match before heading to New Zealand to prepare for the cricket out there.
We’ve also got to remember that Australia’s regular coach Darren Lehmann will be missing. He has been in hospital recently with deep vein thrombosis and sits this series out. Michael di Venuto will coach the side through the three matches so there is enough to avoid Australia on here.
As it is I’m only going to go with one bet in the series before a ball is bowled and it comes in the Top Australia Batsman market where there has to be some value with Steve Smith and Dave Warner leaving for New Zealand after the opening game.
Aaron Finch is the favourite to top score in the series and he’s undoubtedly a class act but I don’t like taking captains in this format of the game so I will pass him over and look into the middle order.
The Big Bash can be a decent form guide in this market and the leading scorer in that tournament was Chris Lynn. He looked in sensational form right throughout that series and was hitting some of the cleanest hits you’ll ever see. He was able to hit pace and spin which is essential and with a chance to secure a spot in the World T20 squad and starting XI I fancy him to go well here.
Lynn is 13/2 to top score in this series which is big when he is around for all three matches unlike some of the more established players and given his Big Bash form that price is a little too big for me to ignore.
Back C.Lynn Top Australia Series Batsman for a 2/10 stake at 7.50 with BetVictor
