The Aussies will look to wrap this two test series up in Galle on Friday after what was essentially a two day test match.
It was a raging turner in the first Test which saw 18 of the 20 Sri Lankan wickets fall to our spin bowlers.
Nathan Lyon taking 9 for the match, Mitch Swepson taking 5 and 4 for part time bowler – full time good bloke Travis Head.
The second Test will be played on the same ground as the First and unless the groundsman make some drastic changes to the playing surfaces. There is a very good chance that we could be in for a bit of a repeat performance here.
We’re in for a very exciting contest and I’ve got a few got tips for you punters to make it even more interesting.
Starting with $1.01 that it’ll do a bit early.
Here are my tips for the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka.
My Predicted Australia XI
- D. Warner
- U. Khawaja
- M. Labuschagne
- S. Smith
- T. Head
- C. Green
- A. Carey (WK)
- P. Cummins (C)
- M. Starc
- N. Lyon
- M. Swepson
I see no reason for us to make any changes to the XI that we rolled out in the first Test. If I had to find a criticism it’s that we could’ve scored more runs but based on the conditions and the way the deck played, I’d say we performed incredibly well.
I can’t find a single fault in our performance… That’s a lie, Steve Smith’s run calling needs some work but I’d imagine him and Khawaja have already squashed their beef and will be good to go when we bat in this match.
Thanks to Australia’s domination in Game 1, their odds for a Head to Head win has come in from $2.38 to $1.91. If you’re looking for a leg to fluff your multi out a bit further. I recommend just a flat out win for the Aussies.
Back Australia to Win @ $1.91
If you are looking for some more specific markets to get you up and about on the weekend, it’s hard to look past our offie, the goat himself Nathan Lyon.
He spun his way into the history books last Test, his 9 wicket effort enough to put him into the Top 10 Wicket Takers of All Time (bit of a tongue twister that one).
There are a few Gaz Lyon markets that I’m entertaining. If I’m looking for a conservative market I like the look of over 2.5 1st innings wickets @ $1.80 but if you’re looking for a bit of value and something to get really excited about. Nathan Lyon to take 5+ first innings wickets is your market.
A 5fa for Lyon is currently at $8 but after watching him at Galle last weekend, I would be very surprised if this one doesn’t land.
Back Nathan Lyon to take 5+ First Innings Wickets @ $8.00
I’ve learnt from my mistakes last week and I can’t confidently tip a player to score a century on this wicket. Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green looked our best but I think these conditions favour the bowlers too much for anyone to go on to get triple digits.
You watch, now that I’ve said that the groundmen will put on an absolute road and there will be 1000+ runs scored in this Test.
I still think Galle will produce another challenging wicket for the batsmen but I’m leaning towards another punt on Usman to score 50 in the 1st Innings at $2.50 and Steve Smith to score 50 in the 1st Innings at $2.38.
Usman is in the form of his life. In the last 12 months he has a Test Average of 117.42 and I think $2.50 for him to raise the bat is huge value.
Smithy will learn from his mistakes in the first game and I believe we will be on for a big innings from him
Back Usman Khawaja to Score a 1st Innings Fifty @ $2.50
Back Steve Smith to Score a 1st Innings Fifty @ $2.38