The David Warner farewell tour’s final stop is at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and it’s a chance to wrap up the illustrious career that’s solidified his name in the Mt Rushmore of Aussie opening batsmen.
On top of sending Warner out a winner, Australia is also looking to make it a 3-0 and take all of the confidence this series to Brisbane and Adelaide against the West Indies.
Although day 1 is expected be lost to rain, only light drizzle is expected on the remaining days so we should get some good cricket in the Pink Test.
My thoughts on the New Year’s Test can be found below.
Australia
In my unbiased and unwavering opinion, Australia’s bowling and fielding were the reasons why they secured the Second Test, and the selectors would be crazy not to pick the same XI.
Captain Pat Cummins led his team from the front snagging 10 wickets for the match and with the assistance of star left arm quick Mitch Starc in the second innings, wiped Pakistan clean at the back end of the fourth day.
Someone who should be recognised in this game is Josh Hazelwood, with 31 overs bowled in the match with 12 maiden overs with an average economy rate of 2.48, Hoff walked so Cummins and Starc could run.
Given the top orders’ first innings was nothing short of superb, their second innings was certainly woeful.
Steve Smith and Mitch Marsh steadied the ship for a 153-run partnership and yes, the latter fell short of the 100, and it was also the first catch taken in the slip cordon all innings after five dropped catches at first slip.
The Aussies have a lot of work to do after an underwhelming second innings from the top three, let’s hope we can finish the series off with a bang.
Pakistan
If we were only playing one innings, I’d be complementing the remarkable fielding taking most of their catches and backing up behind the stumps, however, the second innings in the field was dismal.
Once again, experience played a factor in Melbourne however it should be a closer game given the SCG is a spinner-friendly deck.
It’s not common to see a wide in a test let alone eight in a game but Pakistan couldn’t hit the mark in the first innings, until the second innings where they must’ve listened to a few David Goggins videos because they were inspired enough to get Australia as low as 4-16.
It could’ve been 5-26 with Marsh dropped for single figures turned into a 153-run partnership.
Another thing to note is the inconsistent opening pair of Shafique and Ul Haq, hopefully they can end the series with some good scores under their belt which should boost their confidence.
What could’ve been a bigger loss was prevented by their captain Shan Masood leading from the front with 54 and 60 runs with the bat, showing his team what’s expected.
Pakistan is playing for pride at this stage with the hopes of starting 2024 better than the way 2023 finished.
New Year’s Test Betting
Analysing the markets available, there’s plenty of value in and around match markets.
Top Runscorer markets have shown the most value for both sides over the last two tests, as well as others that are inclusive of but not limited to Top Wicket Taker, Man of the Match and even Dismissal markets.
David Warner playing in his whites for the final time has shown that he will most likely be the popular player for some of these markets and there’s value as well.
At the time of writing, Warner for 1st innings top runscorer is currently $4.50 along with Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja.
Warner and Smith are the leading in the MOTM markets with $7, whereas Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja are not too far behind at a length and a half with $8.
If you’re looking to have a dabble on some value, Pat Cummins got 10 wickets in his last test match and at $9, he’s someone you could do further research on.
2024 New Year’s Test Tips
- Back the Draw @ $ 4.50
- Back David Warner to be the Top Runscorer for Australia in the 1st Innings @ $4.50
- Back Shan Masood to be the Top Runscorer for Pakistan in the 1st innings @ $5
- Back Pat Cummins to be Australia’s Top Wicket Taker in the 1st innings @ $3.25
- Back Shaheen Afridi to be Pakistan’s Top Wicket Taker in the 1st innings @ $3.25
- Back David Warner to be named Man of The Match @ $7