After annihilating Pakistan 2-0 with both matches won by an innings, the Australians head to Perth to take on New Zealand in the first of three Test matches. Optus Stadium becomes the third Australian ground after the Adelaide Oval and the Gabba, to host a day/night Test.
The Kiwis are coming off a 1-0 series victory at home in a two Test series against England. New Zealand’s batsmen are in great form, however there are injury concerns over star paceman Trent Boult (side strain) and allrounder Colin de Grandhomme (abdominal tear). Australia will likely take an unchanged line-up into the Test and will be looking to keep their undefeated summer intact.
Australia vs New Zealand 1st Test Betting Tips
Thursday Deccember 12, Optus Stadium, 4:00pm (AEDT)
Australia
The dominance of David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne meant Steve Smith was given limited opportunities, however he wasn’t able to get any momentum in the series with only scores of 4 and 36 from his two innings. Smith won’t be coming in at 2/350 against the number two ranked Test side boasting a bowling attack that will challenge the Aussies. Smith will be looking to get back into form after an incredible Ashes campaign in the winter. Smith has had plenty of success against the Kiwis, in five test matches Smith has 543 runs at an average of 67.88, including 3 fifties and 2 hundreds. You’d be a brave man to bet against Smith as Australia’s top run scorer in the first innings, at $2.88 with SportsBet.
Mitchell Starc has been on fire this summer and day/night Test matches are where Starc does his best work. In six day/night Tests Starc has taken an astounding 33 wickets, the most for anyone in day/night Tests. Starc loves playing against New Zealand, in just five Tests against the Kiwis, he’s taken 17 wickets at an average of 29.53. If Starc gets a chance to bowl against the Kiwi’s under lights look out, he could take the game away from the Kiwi’s in one spell. Starc has relished the pressure on him this summer and at $3.75 with SportsBet, is an excellent choice to be Australia’s leading wicket taker in the first innings.
1st Innings
Starc top AUS wickets
$3.75
New Zealand
All the talk leading into the series has surrounded the battle between Kane Williamson and Steve Smith, however Ross Taylor is the most experienced player in the New Zealand and produced one of the greatest knocks by a touring batsmen when he scored 290 at the WACA in 2015. Taylor is in form after smashing 53 and 105 not out against England in his last test in Hamilton. In nine tests against the Aussies, Taylor has scored 847 runs at an average of 49.82 and has consistently shown over the years that he can take it right up to the Australians. At $5 with SportsBet, Taylor provides great value to be New Zealand’s top run scorer in the first innings.
With an injury cloud surrounding Trent Boult, it will be up to Tim Southee to carry the load for New Zealand. Southee’s ability to swing and seam the ball will be a dangerous proposition for the Australian’s, especially under lights. Southee will bowl plenty of overs given the injury clouds over Boult and Colin de Grandhomme. 25 wickets in test matches for New Zealand’s most experienced bowler shows that he can perform against the Aussies, he will be hoping an opportunity under lights against Australia’s top order will present itself.
1st Innings
Southee top NZ wickets
$4.00
Prediction
This has been one of the most highly anticipated series on Australian shores for a long time. The number two ranked Kiwi’s have their best opportunity ever to beat Australia. The Australians will be full of confidence after dominating a series against Pakistan, with the bulk of the runs coming between Warner, Labuschagne and Burns. Steve Smith will be eager to make an impact in this series and regain his ranking as the number one test batsmen in the world. Kane Williamson will need to produce a big series if the Kiwis are any chance to win. However in Australian conditions, with the best bowling attack in the world and a batting line up that has found some serious form, the Australians will prove too strong for New Zealand. At $1.35 with SportsBet, the Aussies are a nice anchor for your multi.
