The first ever day-night Test Match to be played in the country will be contested between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval from Friday afternoon.
Australia currently leads the three match series 1-0 after claiming victory in the first test in Brisbane, before being held to a draw by the Black Caps at the WACA Ground in Perth last week.
Australia ($1.57) remain clear favourites to cap the series with success over New Zealand ($4.50) in Adelaide.
The Series So Far
Australia entered their three match series with New Zealand off the back of the heartbreak of losing the Ashes in England, and responded in the best way possible with a comfortable victory at the Gabba to extend their impressive, multi-decade record at the venue.
Led from the front by the likes of David Warner, Australia were exceptional with the bat in both innings highlighted by maiden Test tons to Usman Khawaja and Joe Burns.
Similarly impressive with the ball in hand, the New Zealand top order appeared to have no response to Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, with the exception of impressive first-drop Kane Williamson.
Carrying the same starting XI into the Perth Test, Australia elected to bat and were again very impressive; reaching 9-559 before Captain Steve Smith elected to declare; the innings again highlighted by an impressive double century to Warner.
It was clear from the outset of New Zealand’s first batting innings they had taken plenty of benefit from the first test when Williams and Ross Taylor combined for a huge partnership; breaking a number of records along the way and essentially ensuring the match would have no result other than a draw.
Williams eventually notched up 166 by the time he was dismissed, while Taylor continued on to a career-best 290. While Australia did enough in the second innings to post a defendable score, there simply was not enough time for either team to reach a winning result and the match justifiably ended in a draw.
Australia vs New Zealand Third Test
As current holders of the Trans-Tasman Trophy, Australia’s win in the first test before drawing the last means they cannot do any worse than retain the prize, but will undoubtedly want to win the match to retain their overall ranking among the world’s best nations.
Similarly, New Zealand mustered a good performance to ensure Australia didn’t white wash the series in Perth and will do everything in their power to return home on a winning note.
Without doubt the biggest talking point of the third test between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval has been the use of a pink ball to account for the varied conditions of a match played under both daylight and artificial light.
The idea of pink being the correct colour to use surrounds it’s relativity to a standard red test ball, but light enough to see at night time, in line with the white ball used during Twenty20 and 50 over matches.
Both teams have voiced their pros and cons of the ball and day-night format for test cricket in general, but the time has come for all arguments to be settled and the match to go ahead.
Australia have been forced to make a couple of changes leading into the third test; the retirement of Johnson has led to the selectors calling James Pattinson back into the squad but appear likely to go with tried and true veteran Peter Siddle.
Khawaja suffered a hamstring strain during the second test and will be replaced by Shaun Marsh, while Steve O’Keefe is on standby should Coach Darren Lehmann elect to pick two spinners.
New Zealand faced a number of injury concerns leading into the second test and approaching Adelaide on Friday in a similar position.
Tim Southee appeared on the verge of missing Perth as a result of a back strain but was able to prove his fitness, but it is fellow paceman Trent Boult who is facing a possible omission this week having suffered from disc irritation.
The remainder of the New Zealand side from the second test appear likely to retain their positions and Neil Wagner will be called in to replace Boult should Coach Mike Hesson deem the decision pertinent.
Australia vs New Zealand Betting
Owing largely to the draw played out between the two nations last week, the third Test between Australia and New Zealand offers plenty of value from a betting standpoint across a wide variety of markets.
We’re offering the best odds on a huge variety of unique betting markets, including Innings of Winnings! Take advantage of inflated odds for a player to top score for their nation in the first innings and their respective team winning the match!
Innings of Winnings
David Warner top scores in first innings and Australia wins: $5
Kane Williamson top scores in first innings and New Zealand wins: $14
Both teams have produced a number of key players through the first two tests this series, and picking a Man of the Match figures as a particularly lucrative betting play as a result.
David Warner has gone from strength to strength for Australia and is currently rated a $8 chance in this market, while Williamson can be taken at a quote of $13.