We take a look at Thursday’s Boxing Day Test (26/12/2019) which is the 2nd Test match between Australia and New Zealand this Summer. View the odds for both sides as well as our Tips and Bets for the match.
When: Thursday 26th, December at 11:00
Where: MCG, Melbourne
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Preview:
New Zealand will be hoping for a much more competitive performance from their opening order after struggling to cope with the humid conditions in Perth.
The Kiwis found themselves on the back foot early as Jeet Raval and Tom Latham fell early, followed by superstar captain Kane Williamson, who managed only 34-runs.
Despite their troubles with the abt though, the Black Caps’ bowling attack wasn’t disgraced on a bouncy Perth wicket as Neil Wagner proved why he is considered one of the best. The world No. 3 took seven wickets overall, while teammate Tim Southee went one better claiming nine.
Both players will be key to New Zealand’s chances in the Second Test as they hope to come up with an answer to Australia’s dominant top order. With the focus on Steve Smith and David Warner coming into the series, the Kiwis have been hit with an entirely different problem in the form of a red-hot Marnus Labuschagne.
The 25-year-old has ascended into fifth in the official world batting rankings after scoring 143-runs in the first innings last week. Labuschagne is again one of the favourites to lead the charge for Australia alongside Smith and Warner in the Top Runscorer market.
New Zealand’s bowling will again need to be at its best if they hold any hope of not only handling Labuschagne, but also evening up the series. The good news is the horrible MCG pitch might just play into their hands with unpredictable bounce expected.
When these two sides last got together at the MCG back in 1987 the match ended in a Draw. Both sides put up over 300-runs in their first innings with the bat, which isn’t completely out of the question this week considering Australia’s batting form and the Kiwi’s hunger to bounce-back.
For history’s sake, a Draw actually looks good value here with all things considered. You simply can’t expect a classy side like New Zealand to perform as poorly as they did in the First Test, while we all remember Australia’s bowling troubles during last year’s Boxing Day Test against India.
With Josh Hazlewood lost to injury and the Kiwis looking for some revenge, this one could easily finish all square.
Odds:
Tip: Australia at $1.34
Value Tip: Man Of The Match: Mitchell Starc at $7.00
*Odds correct at time of posting. Subject to change
