After a dominant performance with the bat, the first Test ended up being a lot closer than the Australians would have liked. Pakistan came within 39 runs of winning before a lapse of concentration by number 10 batsman Yasir Shah saw the last wicket fall and the Aussies win the match. The Aussies will be looking to steady the ship, and produce a more complete performance in the Second Test starting on Boxing Day at the MCG.
Pakistani number six Asad Shafiq was named man of the match after a blistering 137 in the 2nd innings brought his side to the brink of victory. Aussie Captain Steve Smith will feel robbed, after his 130 in the first innings, backs up by 63 in the second set up the victory, however, he can take solace in the fact that the Australians will take the 1-0 lead into the 2nd Test.
The Aussies will go into the MCG Test with one likely change, with solid contributions around the board on the bowling side, the three pronged pace attack of Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird all look set to retain their position alongside Nathan Lyon. The only batsman to fail in both innings was youngster Nic Maddinson given his age and the dominant form of Australia’s top order, it wouldn’t surprise me if Maddinson continues to get chances as long as the Aussies are winning. However, Australian seelctors have included young WA all-rounder Hilton Cartwright in their Boxing Day Test squad, if someone was to make way for him, it will be Maddinson.
Pakistan’s biggest problem heading into the 2nd Test is the form of their star spinner, Yasir Shah. Shah captured only 3 wickets in Brisbane and with a pace attack that is substandard compared to Pakistan of earlier era’s, Shah needs to be the strike force he was when the teams met two years ago in the U.A.E. A hard task on some Australian wickets that favour the pacemen.
I went into the series tipping Australia to take the first two matches before losing the New Year’s test in Sydney on a spin friendly wicket, and I’m sticking with that tip. The Australian batting line-up, particularly their top 4 is firing on all cylinders at the moment, and Pakistan just don’t have the quality in their pace bowling to trouble the top order early. Pakistan boast no pace bowlers ranked inside the world’s top 25 Test bowlers, and that won’t win you Test matches in Australia. Back Australia to win this one as a good base for a multi!
TIP: Australia to Win - $1.40 at Sportsbet
The form of Steve Smith is undeniable at the moment, he hasn’t made a score under 30 in his last 7 innings, and his last two knocks of 130 and 63 demonstrated why he’s currently the number one ranked Test batsmen in the world. I’ve been reluctant to back him to score the most runs for the Aussies in an innings because of his short odds but his odds of $3.25 this match are too high given his recent form.
TIP: Steve Smith Most Runs, Aus 1st Inn - $3.25 at Sportsbet
