Following one of the most unique and polarising Test matches in recent memory, Australia and South Africa meet for the second time this summer in the highly anticipated Boxing Day Test.
In less than two days, Australia and South Africa completed two innings’ each, with the former ultimately taking advantage of the extremely green Gabba pitch to reign supreme.
With a series win up for grabs at the MCG, Australia have opened clear and justifiable $1.33 favourites, while South Africa are rated a $5 chance to square the ledger and force a decider in Sydney. With some minor inclement weather forecast, the draw is up at odds of $8.
I’ve run the rule over both nations and what they produced in Brisbane, and you can find my complete thoughts and 2022 Boxing Day Test Tips below.
Australia
We expected Australia to win the first Test in Brisbane, but certainly not in the way that they did.
After getting a look at the wicket and winning the toss, Patty Cummins elected to bowl in Brisbane – a decision that has rarely been made by the Australian captain but ultimately, one that would prove to be correct.
The Aussie bowling attack ripped through the Proteas in the first innings, and while the batting line up only managed to usurp the South African total by 66 runs, another stunning performance with the ball in the second innings saw the Aussies skittle their opponents for just 99.
The chase was anything but pretty, but Australia got the job done, and they take all off the momentum and confidence into the Boxing Day Test.
Only one change is likely to the winning XI; that being the possible return of paceman Josh Hazlewood, who will take his position in the side back from Scott Boland.
Likely Australia XI for Boxing Day Test: D. Warner, U. Khawaja, M. Labuschagne, S. Smith, T. Head, C. Green, A. Carey (wk), P. Cummins (c), M. Starc, N. Lyon, J. Hazlewood
South Africa
While the scores produced by South Africa (and Australia, to be fair) were lower than expected, I did think that the first Test played out as predicted; the batting line up struggled, and the pace bowling contingent was outstanding.
Small references should be made to Kyle Verreyne and Khaya Zondo, who showed some resistance with the bat in the first and second innings respectively, but senior players like Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma went missing, and it was telling in the result.
Rabada was the pick of the South African bowlers, taking four wickets in each innings, while Marco Jansen was similarly impressive in his first Test appearance against Australia.
Simply put, improvements need to be made with the bat and given the age of this squad, I think that South African selectors will elect to hold firm with the same XI at the MCG.
Likely South Africa XI for Boxing Day Test: D. Elgar (c), S. Erwee, R. van der Dussen, T. Bavuma, K. Zondo, K. Verreyne (wk), M. Jansen, K. Maharaj, K. Rabada, A. Nortje, L. Ngidi
Boxing Day Test Betting
We managed to unearth a few lucrative winners in the first Test between Australia and South Africa: Australia to Win ($1.36), Nathan Lyon Australia Top Wicket Taker 1st Innings ($4.50), Kagiso Rabada South Africa Top Wicket Taker 1st Innings ($3.75).
Understandably, there will be a big change in conditions at the MCG, but I think that similar players will step up to be counted, and that is reflection in my Boxing Day Test Tips.
I’m reverting back to Marnus Labuschange to top the runs for Australia in the first innings. He was nothing short of outstanding against the West Indies, and after failing at The Gabba, I’m confident that his hunger will bare results at the MCG.
It has been a short while since Pat Cummins has topped the wicket tally for Australia, and with the benefit of the Gabba Test under his belt, I think he’ll take a bag in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test.
In terms of the visitors, I think that Dean Elgar will lead from the front this time (he simply needs to), while I don’t see any reason why we should pull away from a winning formula in Kagiso Rabada.
Boxing Day Test Tips
Back Australia to Win @ $1.33
Back Marnus Labuschagne to be Australia’s Top Runscorer in the 1st Innnings @ $3.75
Back Pat Cummins to be Australia’s Top Wicket Taker in the 1st Innings @ $3.25
Back Dean Elgar to be South Africa’s Top Runscorer in the 1st Innings @ $3.50
Back Kagiso Rabada to be South Africa’s Top Wicket Taker in the 1st Innings @ $3.50