The Summer of Cricket will hit fever pitch at the Adelaide Oval from Thursday when Australia lock horns with the world’s number one ranked test side, India.
Australia’s struggles both on and off the pitch have been well documented, but they are a side that typically lifts to the occasion in front of parochial home crowds. For India, it’s all about securing their first ever test series win on Australian soil.
Nothing separates the two proud test sides in head-to-head betting for the first test and $2.35 is available for both Australia and India at the time of publish, while the draw can be taken at $4.50.
Australia
Australia recorded a hard-fought draw with Pakistan in the first of their recent two-match series in the UAE, but they were comfortably outclassed in the second test in Dubai and subsequently enter this match in losing form.
Australia does boast one of, if not the most lethal bowling attack in world cricket and the key to success this summer undoubtedly lies with batting success. Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja were shining lights for the Aussies in the UAE and they will need to carry some of that form back home, if Australia is to figure in this series.
Shaun Marsh has been injury prone, but he was outstanding throughout the 2017/18 Ashes Series and a repeat of that performance would be ideal for Australia’s chances once more.
With Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins, Lyon and co. doing their job on India’s impressive batting line-up, Australia could prove to be over the odds at the $2.35 quote
Predicted XI for Adelaide Test: Tim Paine (C & WK), Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Top Run Scorer Tip (1st Innings): Usman Khawaja ($4)
Top Wicket Taker Tip (1st Innings): Nathan Lyon ($4.50)
India
Without doubt, this is India’s best-ever chance of securing an elusive test series win in Australia, but they will need to bring their best if they are to complete the feat against the wounded home side.
The injury to exciting young opener Prithvi Shaw has breathed a little more life into Australia’s cause, but India have a wealth of batting talent waiting in the wings and a player to the calibre of Lokesh Rahul will slot into the playing XI seamlessly for the Adelaide test.
Virat Kohli is probably the most pivotal player in either side; if the Indian captain turns up in devastating form than it could very easily materialise in three comfortable wins for the sub-continent giants.
With the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane all fighting fit and in tow, India are every chance of putting on a huge score in the first innings at Adelaide and the key to their success will lie with their bowling attack’s ability to dismiss Australia cheaply.
Predicted XI for Adelaide Test: Virat Kohli (C), Mohammad Shami, Bhuvneswar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ajinkya Rahane, Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravi Ashwin, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay.
Top Run Scorer Tip (1st Innings): Virat Kohli ($2.85)
Top Wicket Tip (1st Innings): Ravi Ashwin ($3.75)
Australia vs India Betting
There’s plenty of value on offer across a wide variety of markets for the first test between Australia and India.
Further to the suggest top run scorer and top wicket taker suggestions for each nation above, you can take advantage of man of the match markets, which nation will be leading at the change of innings and which opening partnership will record more runs.
Given the strength of Australia’s bowling attack, backing the first Indian wicket to fall in under 26.5 runs is worth consideration, while the line for Australia’s first wicket to fall is currently set at 30.5 runs.