Australia and India meet in the 5th and final Test of what has been a thrilling series, when they take each other on at the SCG on Friday the 3rd of January. We take a look at the game from a betting angle.
SERIES SUMMARY
Australia lead the 5 match series 2-1
They were hammered in the 1st Test by 295 runs in Perth, but came back to level the series winning by 10 wickets in Adelaide before a drawn match in Brisbane with weather intervening. The 4th Test in Melbourne ended in a victory by Australia by 184 runs and below a recap of how it panned out.
4TH TEST RECAP
Smith still has it
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first and they got off to a strong start with an 89 run first wicket stand between Konstas and Khawaja. Both men made 50’s, but it was Steve Smith with 140 that led Australia to 474 all out. For India, Bumrah was once again the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 99 in his 28.4 overs and he was ably supported by Ravindra Jadeja who got 3 for 78 in 23 overs.
Reddy keeps India in it
India fought hard in their innings getting bowled out for 369 with Jaiswal getting 82 at the top of the order and Reddy playing a superb knock to keep India in the game with 114 for 189 balls. Cummins, Boland and Lyon each got 3 wickets in the 1st Innings.
Bumrah again
Australia led by 105 runs and came out aggressively in their 2nd Innings eventually getting bowled out for 234. Labuschagne was top scorer with 70 and there were useful 40’s from Captain, Cummins and Nathan Lyon down the bottom of the order. Bumrah was once again destroyer-in-chief with 5 wickets for 57 runs.
Cummins leads from the front
India were in trouble early chasing a massive 340 to win. Jaiswal was once again in great form getting 84, but he had precious little support with only Pant getting into double figures, scoring 30 runs and once Pant went out with the score on 121 for 4, the writing was on the wall. Cummins and Boland once again got 3 wickets apiece and Australia takes momentum into the Sydney Test match.
THE SCG
Australia’s last Test match at Sydney saw them beat Pakistan by 8 wickets in last year’s New Year’s Test. The year before that they played out a drawn match against South Africa. Two of the last three Tests have finished in draws. If that stat is surprising then this one is even more so and that is that India have drawn their last 3 test matches at the SCG.
SYDNEY WEATHER
The forecast looks good for most of the 5 days, although there does appear a chance of rain late on Monday and potentially on Tuesday, the final day of the Test match.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Australia 8/10
Draw 7/2
India 5/2
Australia appear to have got the upper hand over India in recent Test matches and despite a run of draws between the sides, I am going to be backing them to wrap up a 3-1 series win.
BET: Australia win at 8/10
I said in the last preview that I would back Bumrah to be Top Indian 1st Innings Bowler until beaten and he once again delivered in some style, even if Australia’s, opener Sam Konstas got under his skin. Once again I cannot look past him.
BET: Bumrah Top Indian Bowler at 27/20
Marnus Labuschagne is returning to form nicely and he made 72 in the 1st Innings and 70 in the 2nd Innings in Melbourne. Australia don’t have to go all out on attack and I can well see Labuschagne playing the anchor role.
BET: Labuschagne Top Australian Bat at 7/2
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