Australia captured a strong win in the opening Test, and now their series against the West Indies heads to Grenada for the 2nd Test starting Thursday night.
Check out our full preview and betting tips for the 2nd Test from St. George’s in Grenada below.
West Indies vs Australia: 2nd Test Betting Tips
Grenada, Friday, 4th July, 12:00am (AEDT)
Bowling Bails Out Batting Again as Aussies Eye Tweaks for Second Test
Australia will take plenty of confidence from their First Test win, but there were still some troubling signs—particularly with the top order. The batting line-up continues to struggle to find stability, with Cameron Green failing in both innings once again. Steve Smith has now joined the squad in the West Indies after proving his fitness and is expected to return to the XI.
Fortunately for Australia, the middle order stepped up when it mattered. Travis Head, Beau Webster, and Alex Carey all looked in good touch, helping to guide the team to a defendable total in the third innings. As has so often been the case in recent years, it was the bowlers who ensured victory, with Josh Hazlewood starring in the final innings with a match-winning 5/43.
With Smith’s likely return, Green could be the one to make way, while Josh Inglis may be pushed up to No.3. The only other potential change could be Scott Boland coming in to strengthen the seam attack.
Predicted Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Josh Inglis, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Inglis top Aus Runscorer (1st Inn)
$6.50
Pace with Promise, Batting with Blunders: Windies’ Tale of Two Halves
As we predicted in our opening Test preview, the West Indies seam bowling contingent looked absolutely world class, led by young sensation Shamar Joseph, who took nine wickets in the match and bowled with rapid pace.
Unfortunately they just don’t have the same calibre of talent in their batting line-up at the moment, particularly against this Australian pace attack using a Duke ball. Roston Chase, Shai Hope and Justin Greaves all looked capable at moments in the middle order, but like Australia, their top order looks shaky against the new Duke ball.
There shouldn’t be any changes made to the West Indies bowling attack, but with Kevlon Anderson, Tevin Imlach and Mikyle Louis all waiting in the wings, there could be a change at the top of the order.
Predicted West Indies XI: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Brandon King, Roston Chase, Shai Hope, Justin Greaves, Alzarri Joseph, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales
Carty Top WI Runscorer (1st Inn)
$6.00
West Indies vs Australia 2nd Test Tip
I worry that unfortunately, for the West Indies, they let a golden opportunity slip in the 1st Test and that will have a severe effect on their confidence here. They outplayed the Aussies for large portions of the game, and if not for some lack of patience with the bat and some crucial dropped chances in the field, they could have easily come away with the win.
Australia should be too strong for the West Indies in the second Test, especially with Steve Smith back in the middle order to steady things after a shaky batting display in the first match. While the top order still has questions to answer, the Aussies have a world-class bowling attack that did the heavy lifting in Barbados — Hazlewood was superb, and Lyon kept things tight. Aussies should take a 2-0 lead here.
