As expected, Australia got the better of South Africa in the first of three Test matches down under. Aided by a green seaming pitch, the bowlers dominated in Brisbane, with 34 wickets falling in just two days.
A similar narrative played out last Boxing Day, so it will be interesting to see what happens between these two sides on Australian cricket’s biggest stage - a Boxing Day Test match at the MCG.
Josh Nevett takes a close look at the contest with his free preview and cricket betting tips for the 2nd Test between Australia and South Africa.
Australia vs South Africa 2nd Test Preview & Betting Tips
MCG, Melbourne, Monday December 26th, 10:30am (AEDT)
Squads
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Lance Morris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Michael Neser, Josh Hazlewood
South Africa: Dean Elgar (c), Temba Bavuma, Gerald Coetzee, Theunis de Bruyn, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Glenton Stuurman, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Khaya Zondo
Match Preview
It’s difficult to process what happened in the first match of this series.
Just two days were required for a result to be reached, with Australia claiming a six-wicket victory in a match that contained 34 wickets and just 504 runs.
Many, including myself, expected South Africa to struggle with the bat in this series, but the pitch served up at the Gabba certainly didn’t do them any favours.
Batting first, the Proteas could only manage 152. Kyle Verreyne top scored with 64 after Cummins, Starc and Boland ripped through the top order.
Australia’s quicks certainly took advantage of the favourable conditions, each returning multiple wickets in the first innings.
In reply, Travis Head was the only batsman to master the minefield, scoring a telling 92 off 96 to earn Player of the Match honours. Kagiso Rabada (4-76) and Marco Jansen (3-32) were the chief destroyers as South Africa kept Australia to 218.
The optimism generated from that bowling effort was short-lived though, as South Africa mustered just 99 in their second dig. Skipper Pat Cummins led from the front, taking 5-42 as the visitors imploded.
Australia lost four wickets (all to Rabada) in their pursuit of a meagre total, validating criticism of the Gabba wicket that has persisted right through the leadup to the second Test.
However, the simple fact is that South Africa will not win a Test in Australia unless they can bat long and give the bowlers defendable totals.
After all, the first Test fits the recent norm for the Proteas, it was not an exception - Dean Elgar’s side was dismissed for less than 200 four times in the series against England.
It won’t get any easier for the visitors either. Josh Hazlewood is fighting to put his hand up for Scott Boland’s spot in the Australian XI, adding to an already enviable pace battery.
David Warner will play his 100th Test for the hosts, while fans have been encouraged to pay tribute to the late, great Shane Warne by sporting a wide-brim hat and zinc.
Given the significance of the occasion, I can see Australia’s seamers running riot again to seal a series victory at the MCG, however from a betting perspective, it's hard to get excited by their short price.
Prop Bets
Head is coming into his own as a middle-order batsman for Australia, demonstrated by his recent performances on home soil. The flamboyant left-hander has hit a half-century in the first innings of each of his last three Test matches, with all those scores over 92. With the shine off the ball, I expect Head to thrive once again on Boxing Day.
To Score 50 in 1st Inns – Travis Head - $2.63 at Ladbrokes
South Africa lost their first wicket for 12 and 2 in each innings, respectively, of the first Test. While the pitch in Brisbane was worse than the MCG wicket is likely to be, neither of the openers inspire confidence in me, especially on such a big stage.
South Africa – Fall of 1st wicket Under 25.5 runs – 1st inns – $1.83 at Ladbrokes
