Australia will be looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the ODI series against Pakistan when the 2nd game kicks off on Sunday, the 15th of January from the MCG. The Aussies struggled to 268 in the first ODI after being 5-78, before wicketkeeper Matthew Wade produced a marvelous debut ODI century to steer his team to a respectable total.
Australia's talent and depth was on display as numbers 6 and 7 in Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Wade stedied the ship after a poor start by the Aussies. Handy contributions from Mitch Starc and Pat Cummins, who batted well around Wade at the death, meant that the Aussies went into the break of play as clear favourites.
Apart from captain Azhar Ali, the Pakistani batting lineup has looked dismal all summer, and nothing had changed on Friday night. While they didn't lose a big clump of wickets like the Aussies did, there were no fortifying partnerships in their innings, and the Aussies were on the front foot from the first ball. It won't help the tourists that Ali was injured in the run chase, and has been ruled out of the Melbourne ODI.
Aussie quick Josh Hazlewood, who was rested for the first ODI after a gruelling Test series, looks set to come back into the side likely in place of injured debutant Billy Stanlake. There's also the possiblilty that spinner Adam Zampa could come into the side, although part timer Travis Head was masterful for the Aussies in game one, bowling his 10 overs for 28 runs. I would be disappointed if Zampa were to come into the side at the expense of one of the Aussies class lower order batsmen like James Faulkner. Australia have spin options in Head and Glenn Maxwell, so they should aim to maintain their deep batting lineup.
The Aussies just seem a class above the Pakistani's, they have all summer. The fact that Pakistan had Australia on the ropes at 5-78 and still lost by 92 runs is a credit to the Aussies depth. I don't see a way Pakistan win this match, and the bookies agree, we'll have to look elsewhere for value.
Steve Smith copped a good delivery to be removed first ball in game one. However, he has still looked the class batsman of the summer and with the aggresive way the Aussie openers play, he should see some action nice and early in the innings. I like him to top score for the Aussies.
TIP: Steve Smith top Australian runscorer - $4 at Sportsbet
Although he didn't manage it in game one, Mitch Starc is the king of claiming a wicket in the first few overs of an ODI. His work with the new ball was what ultimately won Australia the 2015 World Cup and I'll back him in to take a wicket in his first spell anyday. There's no market for that, but there is for highest opening partnerships, as long as the Aussies get to 20-30, Starc should do the rest.
TIP: Australia highest opening partnership - $1.63 at Sportsbet
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