The MCG will finally open its gates to a small crowd of 30,000 on Saturday for the much-anticipated Boxing Day Test between Australia and India.
Australia will open firm favourites on Saturday following their stunning victory over India last week, while the visitors are simply hoping to forget all about the misery of Adelaide with Virat Kohli now absent from the side.
The summer of cricket is well and truly underway, and if you’re looking to get in on some of the spoils, be sure to find out who we’re backing in our 2020 Boxing Day Test Preview below!
Match Betting
India’s capitulation last Saturday has not surprisingly left the visitors as heavy $5.50 underdogs heading into the Boxing Day Test.
With a win seemingly in their grasp, India managed only 36 runs in the second innings as the Aussies bulldozed their way to one of the most remarkable victories in Test cricket history.
As if recovering from such a huge mental collapse wasn’t difficult enough, the Indians will now need to go about their business without captain Virat Kohli, who has returned back home for the birth of his child.
Kohli’s absence can’t be overstated, but the Australians do have some questions of their own to answer.
While Josh Hazlewood’s heroics were admirable, it’s difficult to forget Australia was largely on the back foot for most of the First Test as the top of the order left selectors with egg on their face.
If it wasn’t for a complete blunder from Ajinkya Rahane, Kohli probably would have made triple figures, not to mention Australia’s own problems with the bat that has cast further doubt over the top of the order.
The Adelaide wicket was largely to blame for both sides failing at certain points, so you have to imagine we should see the likes of Steve Smith and Mayank Agarwal finish with much higher totals.
To state the obvious, India is obviously at a serious disadvantage without Kohli, but that isn’t to say the bowling attack can’t carry the load.
Australia’s lack of depth leaves them vulnerable at the top of the order, so if Matthew Wade or Smith fail to fire again, this could turn out to be much closer than the odds suggest.
By the same token, the Aussie bowling attack is hands down the best in the world and it is difficult to see them not carrying some serious confidence into Melbourne.
The MCG pitch has been notoriously poor in recent years, but it’s highly doubtful we see the ball edged quite like we did in Adelaide.
A lot would have to go right for India to pull off an upset, while the Aussies likely only need to rely on some brilliance from Pat Cummins and Hazlewood and a couple of high totals from Marnus Labuschagne, Smith, or even Tim Paine to gain a 2-0 series advantage.
Tip: Back Australia to Win @ $1.36
Top Australian Runscorer
Marnus Labuschagne is once again a great value play in the Runscorer market following his heroics last week in Adelaide.
The 26-year-old played a major part in the first innings scoring 47 off 119 balls and he should have fond memories of the MCG after combining for 82 runs during last year’s Boxing Day Test.
Tip: Marnus Labuschagne @ $4.00
Top Indian Runscorer
Ajinkya Rahane is no stranger to the Boxing Day stage.
The Test match veteran scored a century against Australia on this same day back in 2014 and was far from disgraced four years later during India’s 137 run win.
His efforts last week in Adelaide went a long way to putting the pressure on Australia during the second innings, and with Kohli missing, he’ll need to produce more of the same.
Tip: Ajinkua Rahane @ $4.33
Top Australian Wicket Taker
Pat Cummins has been nothing short of marvelous in each of the last three Boxing Day Test’s.
The world’s No. 1 fast bowler took four wickets against England at the ‘G back in 2017, a total of nine against this same India side back in 2018, and another five against New Zealand last year.
There’s absolutely nothing stopping this man right now and you’d be foolish to back against him.
Tip: Pat Cummins @ $2.75
Top Indian Wicket Taker
The Indian bowling attack was exceptional during the second innings of the First Test and it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising to watch them give the top of Australia’s order a serious run for their money again.
It’s been a while since Ravichandran Ashwin has played in a Boxing Day Test, but with nine wickets to his name at the MCG, he’s well over the odds at the current quote.
India’s nine-year Test veteran was the leading wicket-taker with the pink ball last week and he looks a great bet to lead the charge again.
Tip: Ravichandran Ashwin @ $4.00