The series is level at one-all and focus shifts to the MCG from Wednesday for one of Australia’s headline sporting events – the Boxing Day Test.
After letting the series opener slip away in Adelaide, Australia were simply outstanding in Perth and will carry plenty of confidence into the third test against India, particularly after their vastly improved performance with the bat.
The MCG deck should be the perfect leveller of Australia and India, but the home side remain warm $2.15 favourites to continue their winning form from Boxing Day.
Australia
Punters have really started to respond to Australia’s improved effort with the bat in Perth and Tim Paine’s men have firmed noticeably into $2.15 in Boxing Day Test head-to-head betting.
An excellent platform laid by Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris on Day 1 placed the test well and truly in Australia’s hands and throughout the proceeding four days, delivered one of their better performances for more than a year.
They will undoubtedly need to improve again on an MCG wicket that should offer both nations plenty of chances. Expect the likes of Harris and Finch to shine on their home deck with the bat, while this will also be the best opportunity offered to Peter Handscomb so-far this series, and it might be what the struggling middle-order batter needs to find some runs.
Nathan Lyon has only added to his legendary GOAT status through the first two test and he represents plenty of value to be the top wicket taker in the first innings
Predicted XI for Boxing Day Test: Tim Paine (C & WK), Aaron Finch, Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Top Run Scorer Tip (1st Innings): Aaron Finch ($5.50)
Top Wicket Taker (1st Innings): ($3.50)
India
India were unable to frank their Adelaide performance and looked all but out of contention after Day 1 in Perth.
As he does so often for his country, captain Virat Kohli really stood up with the bat and crafted an impressive first innings century, but he was ultimately let down by a batting line-up that looked shaky and a bowling attack that was ultimately unable to keep the pressure on, without Ravi Ashwin.
With Ashwin almost certainly coming back into the team for the third test after reportedly overcoming an abdominal strain, India will be far more confident of their chances.
Predicted XI for Boxing Day Test: Virat Kohli (C), Mohammad Shami, Hanuma Vihari, Jasprit Bumrah, Ajinkya Rahane, Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravi Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay.
Top Run Scorer Tip (1st Innings): Virat Kohli ($3)
Top Wicket Taker Tip (1st Innings): Ravi Ashwin ($3.50)
Australia vs India Betting
Australia’s performance in Perth really did stamp them as the team to follow for the remainder of the series and they represent great value in head-to-head betting at $2.15.
There’s plenty of value to be found around every player in the Player of the Match market, while back Australia to record the highest opening partnership ($1.75) is also worth consideration.