Our Aussies attempt to be the first ever back to back Champions of Test Cricket when they take on South Africa at the birthplace of Test Cricket this week!
It’s been a hell of a campaign for the Aussies to get here including a massive Border-Gavaskar Trophy win over the Australian summer and some proper dominating performances in Galle recently.
Bavuma’s Proteas have not played as much cricket as we have during this WTC window but is a young squad of future stars that should be respected.
Fingers crossed you’ve got an Amazon Prime subscription because that seems to be the only (legal) way to watch this match in Australia.
I’m bloody looking forward to this and I’ve run my eyes over the markets to see if we can make a bit of coin off this one.
Here is my preview of the World Test Championship Final.
My Predicted Australia XI
- U. Khawaja
- M. Labuschagne
- C. Green
- S. Smith
- T. Head
- B. Webster
- A. Carey (WK)
- P. Cummins (C)
- M. Starc
- N. Lyon
- J. Hazlewood
We once again have a new batting line up, Marnus Labuschagne has been bumped up the order to face the new ball while Cameron Green doesn’t just return from the injury that saw him miss the entire Aussie summer.
For the first time in his young test career, Green will bat first drop.
Does that mean we won’t get many overs out of him?
The inclusion of both him and Slug Webster makes me think that Greeny isn’t quite ready to shoulder a massive bowling workload post injury, but I can’t imagine that will be needed.
Our big four bowling cartel is once again back together and Joshy Hazlewood is not just back, he’s fresh off a very successful IPL campaign.
There are obviously a couple of names on this list that could be in better form *cough* Marnus *cough* but on paper this is such a strong team and would take down majority of sides on their day.
Fingers crossed it’s their day for the next five days.
Results Markets
As always, the first thing I do before I pick a result market is check the forecast and outside of a couple scattered showers, the weather should not play a part in this test.
We may miss out on the third session on Day 3 however, this is the WTC Final which means we get a rare sixth day as a reserve to ensure a result.
This match will not be drawn and I personally do not believe that South Africa possess half the quality that we are putting out there this week.
Absolute shocker, I’m back the Aussies at a massive $1.40.
Hardly going to earn enough for a super yacht off this market but a wise man once told me “All you can do is back the winner”
Australia to Win @ $1.40
Run Scorer Markets
This is where I am looking primarily for this match and I’m going to stick with the usual suspects.
Steven Peter Devereux Smith is 30 odd runs shy of over taking Sir Donald Bradman for runs at Lords and has an incredible average of 58.33 at the hallowed ground.
He scored a ton in the last WTC Final at Lords and I’m willing to have a dash on him to hit ever milestone we’re offering for him.
His line, 50+ runs and 100+ runs, I’ll also back our best since Bradman in the top 1st Innings runscorer.
We probably need to hedge slightly here, if Smudge nicks off early and all we have are his markets, we’re cooked.
Given how shaky our top order is I will also be backing Travis Head for 50+ runs.
I just see a world where the Marnus experiment doesn’t work in the first innings, maybe Greeny only scores 30 odd too and all the pressure falls on our number five to get us out of a hole.
For that reason I’m also happy to take Travis Head to cover his line and score a 50. Stuff it, let’s take him for a century as well.
Steve Smith Top Australian 1st Innings Runscorer @ $4.25
Steve Smith over 36.5 1st Innings Runs @ $1.87
Steve Smith 1st Innings Half Century @ $2.40
Steve Smith 1st Innings Century @ $4.80
Travis Head Over 29.5 1st Innings Runs @ $1.87
Travis Head 1st innings Half Century @ $2.80
Travis Head 1st Innings Century @ $5.80
Wicket Taker Markets
Our big dogs are back and it’s sensational as a spectator but a nightmare as a punter.
Any one of our main four boys can do the job here, who do we pick?
Historically, our cartel has shared the love pretty evenly at Lords.
None of our big four have a five wicket haul at Lords in Test Cricket.
We need to pick a top wicket taker however and I’m with the Bullet from Bendemeer, Josh Hazlewood.
He was pivotal in RCB’s IPL win this year and comes into this game in probably the best form out of our four strike bowlers.
He’s also value in that market at $3.60 behind Cummo and Starc.
I probably need to mention a South African in this article too and Rabada is the obvious shout here at $2.85.
It’s a shame his price isn’t $4.20, I know he’s a big fan of that specific number.
Josh Hazlewood Top Australian 1st Innings Wicket Taker @ $3.60
Kagiso Rabada Top South African 1st Innings Wicket Taker @ $2.85