Can you believe it? The first test of the Australian summer is finally here!
We have already been spoiled with heaps of white ball cricket this summer but on Wednesday we are off to Perth for a huge red ball clash with the West Indies.
It’s been the better part of a decade since these two test nations last saw each other (2,591 days but who’s counting). The Aussie Summer of 2015/16 was the last time the Windies were in town and it’s great to see them back!
It’s a very different West Indian side to the one that toured seven years ago. Only four players from that series are still going around but the newer names are some of the ones I’m looking forward to seeing play.
Keep your eyes out for Tagenarine Chanderpaul (yes that’s Shivnarine’s son) at the top of the batting order he scored a century against the PM’s XI and has a batting technique that looks eerily similar to his old man’s.
Young tearaway quick Jayden Seales is another one to look out for, his 5/55 against Pakistan saw him become the youngest ever West Indian to take a five wicket haul. He’s got 36 wickets in 9 Tests at 21.77 and could give our boys some grief in Perth.
I’m so excited to have the Test Matches back for another year and I’ve run my eyes over the markets to see if I can find some value for you punters.
Here is my preview of the First Test
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
- J. Hazlewood
This XI honestly picks itself there is no reason to make changes at the moment. Our top order has tenure, Travis Head is in the form of his life and our bowling unit is the best in the world, we’d need to see some catastrophic failures or retirements before this unit is changed.
Back Australia to Win @ $1.14
Not necessarily a “tip” when they are $1.14 favourites but it probably needs to be pointed out.
Australia are massive favourites to win this Test match compared to the $11 that the West Indies are paying.
There is a chance for rain on Days 4 & 5 but I think there is a huge chance this game doesn’t get to the weekend.
I don’t think Australia will bat twice in this Test.
Back Cameron Green to score 50+ First Innings Runs @ $3.00
THIS WILL BE THE SUMMER OF CAM GREEN.
Greeny has been a very highly touted prospect and I believe this is the summer that we really see him breakout and live up to the monster potential the cricketing world believes he has.
We saw flashes of how good he can play in the ODI series against NZ at the start of the Summer and I get the feeling Cam is going to go big in his first ever home Test Match.
He’s $11 to be top Aus 1st Innings Runscorer which is tough to back because he does bat at 6 and there’s a couple blokes before him that are pretty handy with the stick but I’m confident that we will see Cam Green score his maiden Test Century this summer.
Back Steve Smith Over 39.5 1st Innings Runs @ $1.83
Steve Smith looked like a new man in the ODI Series against England.
It’s been tough sledding for our best since Bradman in recent years but tough times never last.
Nothing gets me up and about more than seeing Smudge be grouse at cricket and after watching him play England I believe we are in for more of the Steve Smith we know and love this summer.
He’s $4.50 to score a first innings hundred which I’d be willing to back as well.
Go Smudge.
Back Jayden Seales over 2.5 First Innings Wickets @ $2.50
Remember the name Jayden Seales. As I mentioned above he is the West Indies’ new secret weapon. In just 9 Tests he has 35 wickets and the conditions in Perth should really suit what he can do.
Perth Stadium isn’t what the WACA was but there will still be enough in the deck for the quicks to cause a lot of grief and I think Seales will be the guy for WI
Back Mitchell Starc to take 1st Innings 3+ Wickets @ $2.25
Starcy has a sensational record in Perth; 7 Matches, 40 wickets and 2 5fas at an average of 24.32.
I’m on Starcy all day to rip through this Windies side, he splits opinions across the cricketing world but I am very much in the pro Mitchell Starc team.
He’s an absolute weapon and we’re going to see that once again in this match.