Australia will be chasing a 3-0 series sweep when they take on West Indies in the final ODI of the summer on Tuesday.
After a low scoring contest on Sunday, fans will be hoping for more fireworks tomorrow in Canberra.
Josh Nevett takes a close look at the contest with his free preview and cricket betting tips below.
Australia vs West Indies 3rd ODI Preview & Betting Tips
Manuka Oval, Canberra, Tuesday February 6th, 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, Ben McDermott, 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
Despite managing a meagre total batting first, Australia achieved an unassailable 2-0 series lead over the West Indies with a comfortable victory in Sydney.
Debutant Jake Fraser-McGurk managed a couple of lusty blows before falling early, starting a flow of wickets that came regularly throughout the innings. None of the specialist batsmen were able to seize the ascendency, with Matt Short (41 off 55) providing the most resistance.
However, Sean Abbott bobbed up to save the day, peppering the leg side as he quickly compiled 69 to guide Australia to 258.
Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie was the pick of the Windies bowlers with 3/28, while Matthew Forde also kept things tight.
In reply, the visitors also struggled to build partnerships, losing wickets at regular intervals. Keacy Carty followed up his 88 at the MCG with 40, but he received little support, the West Indies eventually bowled out for 175.
Aussie quicks Josh Hazlewood and Abbott both took three wickets apiece, while Will Sutherland, Aaron Hardie and Adam Zampa also excelled in their respective roles.
The result sealed a series triumph for Australia, so it will be interesting to see if the selectors further experiment with the line-up in Canberra. A hamstrung Matt Short has been replaced by Ben McDermott for this clash, and Xavier Bartlett will undoubtedly return to the XI.
The West Indies have yet to select Teddy Bishop or Tevin Imlach, so one of them might receive a call up for what is effectively a dead rubber.
Given the short odds that Australia are paying to win, I’m going back to the well on the match century market.
No player has made it to triple figures in the opening two games, and as I stated before Game 2, if the West Indies bat first then Australia probably won’t have enough runs to chase for an individual batsman to go big.
In my mind it will be up to an Aussie if a century is to be made, and none of the batters are in good enough form to warrant that backing, despite the now-even odds.
Century in Match - No
$1.83 (1 Unit)
Prop Bets
Australian opening pairs are almost always attacking, but the combination of Jake Fraser-McGurk and Josh Inglis takes that to a new level. JFM played a shot per ball in his short stay at the SCG, resulting in a 10-run first over. Expect the same in Canberra.
Australia Runs in Over 1 – Over 3.5 $1.62 (Ladbrokes)
Motie starred for the Windies at the SCG, taking 3/28 in an exceptional display of controlled spin bowling. The left-armer will again enjoy bowling to Australia’s right-hander heavy line-up, so I’m expecting another strong return.
Player to Take 2+ Wickets – Gudakesh Motie $2.40 (Ladbrokes)
