The biggest day on the cricketing calendar is upon us, as more 70,000 people will be expected at the MCG for day one of the Boxing Day Test. The Black Caps will get their first taste of a Boxing Day Test in over 30 years. Australia will be full of confidence after demolishing New Zealand in the first Test in Perth. Both sides will be forced to make changes with Lockie Ferguson out with a calf injury and Josh Hazlewood will miss with a hamstring strain.
Trent Boult and James Pattinson will be their respective replacements. There are more selection dilemmas after that, with the Black Caps likely to drop out of form opener Jeet Raval and throw Tom Blundell into the opening position. Justin Langer has hinted at Australia potentially playing five bowlers, meaning Michael Nesser could earn a test debut at the expense of Travis Head. The MCG pitch looks to have a lot more grass on it than previous years, this match is set to be a cracker.
Australia vs New Zealand 2nd Test Preview and Betting Tips
Thurs Dec 26, MCG, 10:30am (AEDT)
Australia
Steve Smith loves the Boxing Day Test, he simply dominates at the MCG, it’s his most prolific run scoring ground out of anywhere in the world. In 10 innings, Smith has scored 816 runs at an average of 136, along with four centuries. Smith’s last seven innings at the MCG include knocks of 192, 14, 134*, 70*, 165*, 76 and 102*. Smith is a proven performer at the MCG and after a lean summer by his lofty standards, will be looking to send a statement against the number two ranked Test side in the world. No current New Zealand played has ever played a Test match at the MCG and that is only going to give Smith even more of an advantage for Smith. Look no further than Smith to be Australia’s leading run scorer in the first innings, at $3.25 with BetEasy.
1st Innings
Smith top AUS batsman
$3.25
Whilst it has been Mitchell Starc’s resurgence with the ball this summer that has taken the headlines, Pat Cummins has still produced as the number one ranked bowler in test cricket and he comes to a ground that he has performed at in trying conditions. Cummins has taken 13 wickets at an average of 16.62 with a strike rate of 34.23, including a haul of 6/27 in the second innings against India last summer on an absolute road. Now with a surface that will offer him a lot more, against a vulnerable batting line up, Cummins is in the box seat to produce another big performance on Boxing day. At $3.25 with BetEasy, Cummins is a great choice to be Australia’s leading wicket taker in the first innings.
1st Innings
Cummins top AUS bowler
$3.25
New Zealand
It’s difficult to gauge how the New Zealand batsmen will perform given their lack of experience at the MCG, the Black Caps won’t be used to being in the intense cauldron with 70,000 people that the MCG creates and with the series on the line, the Black Caps are under the pump. That’s why Kane Williamson is the smart choice here. In 8 tests against Australia, Williamson has scored 690 runs at an average of 46. It’s clear to see after the first Test that if Williamson doesn’t fire, then New Zealand doesn’t stand a chance against Australia. Williamson’s quality and calmness at the crease are going to be vital. You can bet on the Black Cap’s skipper to stand up in the big moments. He’s at $3 with BetEasy to be New Zealand’s leading run scorer in the first innings.
1st Innings
Williamson top NZ batsman
$3.00
In a much needed turn of luck for New Zealand, Trent Boult is back from injury and the Black Caps need his pace desperately. The Kiwi’s lacked pace to challenge the Aussies and Boult can bring pace and swing to challenge the Aussies. In six matches against Australia Boult has 22 wickets and more interestingly, he has dismissed Steve Smith four times in just nine innings. The Boult vs Smith match up looms to be as the key battle for both teams, for New Zealand to have a chance, boult needs to fire and as a bloke who can bowl 145 plus and can swing the ball, he has all the tools to challenge the Aussies. At $3.25 with BetEasy, look no further than Boult to be New Zealand’s leading wicket taker in the first innings.
1st Innings
Boult top NZ bowler
$3.25
Prediction
One of the most highly anticipated Test matches on Australian as New Zealand gets it’s first opportunity to play at the MCG in a test match since 1987. New Zealand with come out firing looking to redeem themselves for their poor outing in the first test and the MCG looks to have prepared a pitch with plenty of grass on it. Australia will be looking to keep it’s undefeated summer intact in the biggest match on the cricketing calendar. Australia showed in the first test that it has much more depth in all facets of the game. The best bowling attack in the world, the most inform batting line up currently in the world and a class fielding unit. New Zealand will need some special performances from their star players to knock off Australia. Australia will be too strong for New Zealand and will seal the series with one test to play. At $1.33 with BetEasy, the Aussies are a nice option to anchor your multi.
