Australia will be looking for a clean sweep in the 3rd ODI against India on Saturday at the SCG. Can India bounce back and finally pick up a win? Or will Australia’s young brigade continue to lead the way? We bring you our preview, best bet, and prop bet below!
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Australia vs India 3rd ODI Preview & Betting Tips
SCG, Saturday 25th October, 2:30pm AEDT
Australia
Squad: Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Jack Edwards, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann
It was Australia’s inexperienced players that led the way in a tight chase on Thursday evening in Adelaide to seal the series. Matt Short (74 off 78) and Cooper Connolly (61* off 53*) produced their highest scores at the international level, a big positive two years out from an ODI World Cup. Mitch Owen (36 off 23) and Matthew Renshaw (30 off 30) also got starts, with Australia’s top four run scorers having 17, 7, 2 and 2 ODI’s respectively.
Xavier Bartlett continued his excellent form at the international level, taking 3/39, including the key early wickets of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli. At 2/135 in the 29th over, India looked set to put up a big score, but Adam Zampa produced the goods as he often does, taking 4/60 as the Aussies restricted India to a chaseable 9/263,
Australia will have some changes to their squad in Sydney, with Josh Inglis set to join the squad for the final game of the series after missing the first two games with a calf strain. Given the series is wrapped up, it’s likely Australia looks to get Inglis some game time ahead of the T20I series. Matt Kuhnemann has been recalled to the squad after featuring in game one. While Jack Edwards has been called up for an international squad for the first time, replacing Marnus Labuschagne who will prioritise the Sheffield Shield ahead of the upcoming Ashes.
India
Squad: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal
India had plenty of chances to take the game by the scruff of the neck, but couldn’t capitalise in a frustrating game on Thursday. Rohit Sharma (73) and Shreyas Iyer (61) had the game under control in a 118 run partnership for the third wicket, but Sharma and Iyer fell in quick succession. India could only manage to put up 103 runs from their last 18 overs after Sharma and Iyer were dismissed.
In the field, India dropped Matt Short three times, including Mohammed Siraj dropping an absolute soda when Short was on 55, which would’ve put Australia 5/139 with youngsters Connolly and Owen fresh at the crease together. Short would score another 22 and add 55 runs with Connolly in a crucial partnership.
A big positive for India was the work of spinners Washington Sundar (2/37) and Axar Patel (1/52). Although Patel’s figures blew out late, the two spinners dragged India back into the game when Australia were cruising at 2/109, and gave India a chance to win the game.
Match Prediction
Australia just keep winning in white ball cricket, having won three consecutive ODI matches and twelve of their last thirteen T20I matches. The investment in youth, players who’ve performed well at domestic level and the emphasis on specialist role players is beginning to reap rewards. Thursday’s win was a perfect example of that, with the contributions from Short, Connolly, Bartlett, Renshaw and Owen.
Australia have won four of their last 5 ODI’s at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and Although Rohit got going eventually in game two, the selections of Sharma and Kohli are clearly hurting the team when India have the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal on the bench. Australia will continue their winning ways and pick up a clean sweep.
Australia to Win
$1.60 (1.5 Units)
Australia vs India Prop Bet
Xavier Bartlett has had a remarkable start to his international career, and although he doesn’t get continuity in selection, he performs every time he wears the green and gold. In five matches, Bartlett has taken 15 wickets at an average of 11.13 and an economy rate of just 4.06. Bartlett has recorded figures of 4/17, 4/21, 2/45, 2/45 and 3/39 in his five One Day Internationals.
Australia Top Bowler, Xavier Bartlett
$5.20
