THE EDGE: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews the Boxing Day second Test match between Australia v South Africa with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
MATCH OVERVIEW:
One of cricket’s best traditions continues with the Boxing Day Test this year taking place between Australia and South Africa. It’s not quite an Ashes Boxing Day Test, but it’s still going to be a cracker on BETDAQ Betting Exchange. Although cricket attendances have been a big topic in Australia lately, I’m sure we’ll have a full house at the MCG. We had a very exciting 1st Test with plenty of action that meant the game was over inside two days in Brisbane. Unfortunately, from a cricket fan point of view, the wicket was rated as poor by the ICC – it was just a wicket that favoured the bowlers, and that happens from time to time. Don’t we all want to see challenging cricket? Not every Test should go the distance!
The general view around world cricket at the moment is Test cricket is changing fast. We saw England take that to a new level with Bazball, and sides are becoming more and more attacking. Batsmen are prepared to take more chances now, and when you have a wicket that helps the bowlers you’re likely to see more collapses. It will be very interesting to see how the tactics play out here – Australia come into this Test as the heavy favourites and you’d have to say the South African batting looks a little light at the moment. Their bowling is still top class though, so we should have plenty of drama ahead.
Shane Warne is set to be honoured during this Test, which is fantastic to see. For South Africa, they really just have to focus on getting some runs with their batting line-up. Their bowlers have the pace and skill to make this a very competitive Test; but can their batters cope with the Aussie attack? The Brisbane wicket was very tricky, but they were completely rolled over.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
After the Brisbane wicket was rated “below average” by the ICC, that brings the total poor ratings in Australia to two in five years. Where was the other one? Well, it was here at the MCG! That was for different reasons though – a very flat wicket that saw only 24 wickets fall in the five days. That was the last draw here though in 2017, and since then there have been four results. In the Ashes Boxing Day Test last year, Australia won by an innings and 14 runs – that was an exceptionally quick Test too with England only scoring 185 and 68 in their two innings. Australia usually have a good record here, but India have won two of the last four Boxing Day Tests. Another little stat for any pub quiz over Christmas – you have to go back to 1990 to find a Test at the MCG that didn’t start on Boxing Day!
RECOMMENDED BET:
I’d be very surprised if we saw a draw here – although we have had some flat wickets at the MCG over the years, we usually see a result. We’ve only had two draws from the last 24 Test matches – and cricket has changed over that length of time that we now have more attacking Test matches. That leave a straight shootout between Australia and South Africa, and I’m happy to have a small bet on South Africa at 5.6. Australia are currently trading 1.38 and while they are rightfully favourites, I feel that’s a little short. I am worried about the South African batting of course, but I feel their bowling can keep them in the game. If they can bat well, and the wicket won’t be too difficult here, then we could see a close game. I feel we’ll see a closer game than the odds suggest.
The Edge Says:
One point win South Africa to beat Australia at 5.6 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/AusSA
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
With Test cricket changing quickly these days, I would want to make sure we have good batting conditions before opening a trade on the batting side. The Brisbane Test was almost in fast forward mode, and if this wicket favours the batters we could see the same again. It will probably pay to look for trades on the bowling side here anyway – both bowling attacks look very good, and neither batting side is rock solid either. With the market favouring Australia and bowling being South Africa’s strength, the best in-play option might be supporting the South African bowlers to see market movement.
