The second test between Australia and Pakistan will begin at the Adelaide Oval on Friday afternoon and we’ll be treated to the unique action that only the pink ball and day/night conditions can deliver.
Australia’s comprehensive victory in Brisbane has laid the foundation for a successful summer of test cricket and there is no doubt that a series whitewash over Pakistan is the immediate goal for Tim Paine’s men, with one eye on their forthcoming three-test series with New Zealand.
Despite the match having all but been decided, Pakistan showed plenty of resolve with the bat in their second innings and will be eager to build off that performance when they arrive in South Australia.
Unsurprisingly, the Aussies have opened the $1.20 favourites to beat Pakistan ($8) in the second test.
Australia
Despite their inability to take a single wicket in the first session of play in Brisbane, Australia’s bowling attack starved Pakistan of runs and ultimately, forced a batting collapse in the second session on Day 1, setting up the win.
Batting has been the big worry for Australia for several years now, but a huge sigh of relief was evident as the likes of David Warner, Joe Burns and Marnus Labuschagne all fired at the top of the order. A reasonably slow effort with the ball in the second innings can probably be forgiven, as the match was already won, while there is no doubt that Pakistan warmed to the task as the match progressed.
A similar performance with the bat will be required by Australia in Adelaide, while Mitchell Starc’s natural swing will be key in dismissing Pakistan for a small figure. Surprisingly one of the few batsmen to get going in Brisbane, I’m expecting Steve Smith to bounce back in a big way in Adelaide. That is echoed in the suggested bets for the second test below.
Barring injury, it is likely that Australia will take the same XI players into the Adelaide test.
Suggested Bets
Mitchell Starc to be Australia’s top wicket taker in the 1st innings @ $3.75
Steve Smith to be Australia’s top run scorer in the 1st innings @ $3
Pakistan
The Pakistan openers valued their wickets in the first innings and while they were extremely slow to score, there was a lot to like about the way that both Shan Masood and Azhar Ali went about their cricket early.
Following a disappointingly short stay at the crease on Day 1, Babar Azam bounced back in the second innings with an impressive ton, while wicket keeper Mohammad Rizwan looks to be an extremely valuable find for his nation; performing admirably with the bat in both innings.
He went for plenty, but Yasir Shah proved to be the most decisive with the ball for Pakistan and regardless of the pink ball typically offering the pace bowlers more, his performance will be key to his nation being competitive again.
They will need to improve tenfold across the field to beat Australia in Adelaide and while that probably is a bridge too far, I think they’ll be a far bigger threat in this test match with the first hit-out under the belt.
At publish squads are yet to be confirmed, but Pakistan would also do well to keep the same XI from Brisbane when the second test begins on Friday.
Suggested Bets
Yasir Shah to be Pakistan’s top wicket taker in the 1st innings @ $3.75
Babar Azam to be Pakistan’s top run scorer in the 1st innings @ $3.50
Australia vs Pakistan Betting
There’s plenty of additional betting options to be utilised ahead of the second test between Australia and Pakistan, including Man of the Match, mode of dismissal and everything in between.
Marnus Labuschagne’s career-best performance in Brisbane was justifiably rewarded with Man of the Match honours, but a player like Travis Head could prove to be over the odds in this market for the second test. Head will be eager to perform on his home deck, and rates an auxiliary bowling option, should Australia require it.
Suggested Bet
Back Travis Head to be named Man of the Match @ $17