The next generation of Australian white ball stars made their mark at the MCG on Friday, taking a 1-0 series lead with a dominant victory over the West Indies.
The action will shift to the SCG on Sunday, where the visitors will be hoping to bounce back and even the ledger.
Josh Nevett takes a close look at the contest with his free preview and cricket betting tips below.
Australia vs West Indies 2nd ODI Preview & Betting Tips
SCG, Sydney, Sunday February 4th, 2:30pm (AEDT)
Squads
Australia: Steve Smith (c), Travis Head (vc), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Matt Short, Will Sutherland, Adam Zampa
West Indies: Shai Hope (c), Alzarri Joseph, Alick Athanaze, Teddy Bishop, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Gudakesh Motie, Kjorn Ottley, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.
Match Preview
It was a new look Australia XI that took to the MCG on Friday, but the result was a familiar one, with the home side triumphing by eight wickets.
Steve Smith elected to bowl first and his bowlers made an excellent start – three early wickets to debutant Xavier Bartlett reduced the Windies to 3/37 before Keacy Carty (88) and Roston Chase (59) stabilised the innings with a 106-run partnership.
However, there was no flourish in the final 10 overs, as the West Indies were bowled out for just 231. Bartlett finished with 4/17, the second-best figures of any Australian on ODI debut, while Cameron Green and Sean Abbott also took two wickets apiece.
Travis Head’s lean run with the bat continued – the Aussie opener fell for 4 – but his partner Josh Inglis quickly took control of the game, belting 65 off 43 despite testing positive for COVID pre match.
Inglis found an ally in Green, who played the anchor role in a 79-run partnership. Inglis’ dismissal brought Steve Smith to the crease, and the skipper took no time to find his touch, stroking 79* off as many balls to guide his team home, with Green finishing on 77*.
It was a comprehensive victory for the hosts, and an expected one considering the inexperience of the West Indies XI.
I’m expecting similar line-ups for Game 2, although Alzarri Joseph should return to lead the Windies pace attack.
Australia are unbackable favourites once again, so I’m looking elsewhere to find value.
No century was scored in the opening game, and if the West Indies bat first then Australia probably won’t have enough runs to chase for an individual batsman to go big.
As such, I’m predicting another century-less encounter here.
Century in Match - No
$1.83 (1 Unit)
Prop Bets
Smith was at his imperious best on Friday, and I expect that to translate to another score on Sunday. The Aussie skipper averaged 63 in ODIs at the SCG, his home venue, and the Windies attack lacks venom.
Over 34.5 Runs – Steve Smith $1.83 (Ladbrokes)
Green bowled eight overs at the MCG, returning solid figures of 2/40. The all-rounder presents the best value of any Australian frontline bowler to taking multiple scalps on Sunday, and I’m quite confident in his current role.
Over 2.5 Wickets – Cameron Green $6 (Ladbrokes)
