How good is it to have Test cricket back? After Australia came out on top by 164 runs in Perth, all eyes are on Adelaide for the day-night clash against the Windies.
Australia absolutely dominated with the bat in the west — so much so I almost felt bad for the West Indian bowlers at times. Marnus and Smithers had the tourists hating cricket, keeping the Windies out in the field chasing leather for 189 overs.
The tough match for the visitors didn’t come without casualties either. West Indian number three Nkrumah Bonner is unlikely to play due to the concussion he copped facing Cam Green, Kyle Mayers’ injured shoulder saw him not bowl an over in the second innings, and veteran Kemar Roach is in doubt as well.
Aussie skipper Pat Cummins is also in doubt after tweaking his quad. It will be interesting to see if he sits this next match out but given his role and responsibility in the team, I expect him to play.
Australia has a perfect record in day-night Tests. We are 10 from 10 and are incredibly short favourites to make it 11 from 11.
Being the huge cricket nuffy I am, I’ve taken a deep dive into the scorecards and player stats and I think I’ve found a few winners.
Here’s my preview of the second 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
The only question mark here is skipper Pat Cummins, who’s nursing that quad injury, but I honestly think the media is turning it into a bigger issue than it probably is.
If Patty is even 75 per cent, he’ll play. Just get the cameras out of his face.
The inclusion of Michael Neser and Lance Morris to the Test squad is a major overreaction in my eyes.
The last thing any cricket fan wants to see is Michael Neser running drinks for the Aussies once again, but here we are.
Back Australia to Win @ $1.11
How much convincing do you need?
We are 10/10 in day-night Tests, we have just won a game where our three and four both scored double hundreds in the first innings, we’ve lost one game in the last 10 years in Adelaide and Mitchel Starc has 56 wickets at an average of 18.41 with the pink ball.
Do I need to make any more of a case for a $1.11 favourite?
Back Usman Khawaja to score a first innings 50 @ $2.38
Khawaja’s first-innings 65 has almost been completely forgotten about after the 400-odd runs Marnus and Smith put on.
Granted he got out cheaply in the 2nd dig, but Usman played a huge role in consolidating after the early Warner wicket.
Khawaja and Labuschagne had a partnership of 142 runs and it really set the platform for the rest of the innings.
I can’t back Uzzie to score a century with confidence. He’s $5.50 to do so if you want to take me on, but I am willing to take him for a half-century at $2.38.
Back Mitchell Starc for 5+ First Innings Wickets @ $9
Starcy is the greatest pink-ball bowler of all time and it’s not even close. Don’t believe me? Let me spell it out for you.
Most Wickets in Day Night Tests by any player
- Mitchell Starc: 56 Wickets @ 18.41
- Daylight
- Mitchell Starc @ Adelaide Oval: 34 Wickets @ 16.82
- Nathan Lyon: 34 Wickets @ 26.70
- Pat Cummins: 33 Wickets @ 15.42
Adelaide Oval at twilight is Starcy’s hunting ground and I expect him to have a day out against this banged-up Windies side.
Pat Cummins being a bit stiff only makes me feel better about this as well. I’m expecting to see Starc carry the bowlers and put the Aussies in a great position.
Back Steve Smith to score a First Innings Hundred at @ $4.50
Smith is back and he looks red hot.
Smudge’s new technique is paying dividends. Not-out in both innings last match, I don’t know if the Windies can get him out.
He’s $3.75 to be the top scorer but the presence of Marnus makes me uncomfortable to back that market. I will however get on him to score his 30th Test century.