The summer of cricket has officially arrived and the first of two tests between Australia and Pakistan will begin at The Gabba on Thursday morning.
Barely anyone gave the Aussies a chance of winning the Ashes in the middle of the year and while Justin Langer’s men absolutely did bottle a couple of good chances to win the series outright, they did enough to win two tests and ultimately retain the urn.
A return to their cauldron of more than thirty years to face a seemingly easier opponent could be just what the doctor ordered for a return to winning form, and the Aussies are the $1.25 favourites to beat Pakistan ($6) in the first test.
Australia
Australia are offered an excellent opportunity in their quest to regain the world’s number one test ranking when they face Pakistan from Thursday.
There is no doubt that Australia currently lacks any depth at all in the batting ranks, but what they do have is the world’s undisputed best batsman in Steve Smith. Smith’s return made all the difference in Australia retaining the Ashes and almost everything that he has done recently suggests that he’s in for an enormous summer. I think this two-test series will be particularly telling in his path back into the captaincy, as well.
There’s also little doubt that Australia currently boasts the best bowling attack in test cricket and James Pattinson’s omission this week is actually a good thing in my opinion, as it forces the selectors to pick our best three pacers in Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood. With the Goat clearly ready for 100+ overs as well, I can’t see there being too many issues when Australia takes the field.
Likely Australia XI for first test: Tim Paine (c), David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mathew Wade, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood.
BEST BET: Back Steve Smith to top score for Australia in the first innings @ $3
Pakistan
Virtually nothing is expected of Pakistan in this two-test series, but their performances in the lead-up to the Gabba suggested that they have come here to win, and they could prove to big overs at $6.
Pakistan’s top order can rightfully be considered amongst the best in the world, in 2019. Azhar Ali looks likely to return to the top of the order, while there is a case to be made for Babar Azam currently being in the world’s best middle order selections.
It is fair to say that Pakistan are typically better with bat in hand than with the ball, but they have brought a young, exciting pace attack to Australia, which proved far too good for some of Australia’s fringe batsmen in warm-up matches. A three-pronged pace attack appears imminent, with leg-spinner Yasir Shah likely to take Pakistan’s final position.
Ultimately Pakistan will be required to overcome Australia and an unbeaten streak at the Gabba of more than 30 years and that could simply be too great a task.
Likely Pakistan XI for first test: Azhar Ali (c), Babar Azam, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Sha, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imran Khan.
BEST BET: Back Babar Azam to top score for Pakistan in the first innings @ $3.75
Australia vs Pakistan Betting
There are plenty of opportunities to find value across a range of markets for the first test between Australia and Pakistan.
Pat Cummins is the world’s highest ranked test bowler and clearly, he has been the pick of Australia’s stocks for several years. He looms as a $3.50 shot to take the most wickets for Australia in the first innings, alongside Josh Hazlewood and ahead of Mitchell Starc ($3.75). Nathan Lyon represents value at $5.
Sixteen-year-old sensation Naseem Shah put the writing on the wall with an outstanding performance against Australia A in Perth and he is a fitting $3 favourite to take the most wickets for Pakistan in the first innings, while there are strong cases to be made for the likes of Mohammad Abbas ($3.25), Shaheen Afridi ($3.75) and Yasir Shah ($3.75).
With Australia resounding favourites to win the first test at the Gabba, the man of the match looks highly likely to be selected from the triumphant side and Steve Smith represents terrific value at $5.
BEST BET: Back Steve Smith to be named Man Of The Match @ $5