Australia Cricket

Australia go into Tuesday's third Test against Pakistan as overwhelming favorites to complete a 3-0 sweep as a roller-coaster series comes to its conclusion at the SCG.

The hosts secured an unassailable 2-0 series lead thanks to a dramatic final-day collapse from Pakistan, who needed to bat out in order to secure a well-earned draw. But after the batsmen and rain had dominated the first four days, some excellent bowling from the Australians, led by 4-36 from Mitchell Starc, got the job done.

As a result, a bit of the sting has gone out of this match, with Australia at $1.42 to win and Pakistan at $7.10, according to Australian Gambling. The draw is at $4.80.

The forecast is for rain on each of the five days, but it is not expected to be significant or long-lasting.

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The highlight for Pakistan in Melbourne was the batting of Azhar Ali, who compiled the second-highest score ever by a touring batsman at an MCG Test with his unbeaten 205.

Given that, it's hardly surprising he goes into the match as a $4.33 favorite to top score in the first innings for Pakistan ahead of Younis Khan ($4.50) and first-Test centurion Asad Shafiq ($5).

Similarly, Steve Smith, who notched his 17th Test century at the MCG, where he boasts an average of 127, is $3.25 to top score for the Aussies in the first innings of this match.

Smith averages 76.40 at the SCG and has scored a century in the first innings of his past two Test matches at his home ground.

David Warner, also coming off an MCG ton, is the $3.75 second pick to top score for the Aussies, while Usman Khawaja, dismissed for 97 in Melbourne, is at $4.

The make-up of the Aussie bowling lineup is something of a mystery heading into this match, with a chance that either Starc or Josh Hazlewood could be rested. Sydney has historically suited spin bowlers, and the Aussies called two of them into their squad: Stephen O'Keefe and Ashton Agar.

Nathan Lyon may have saved his spot in the Test team with his three crucial wickets on the final day in Melbourne and could have both Agar and O'Keefe to support him. Nic Maddinson will likely be dropped, with the No. 6 spot up for grabs.

Hilton Cartwright, the seam-bowling all-rounder, could be set for a Test debut. But the Aussies could also opt to use Agar, who has a famous test 99 to his credit, as an all-rounder.

It makes the leading wicket-taker market somewhat fraught, with Starc second pick at $3.25 behind Hazlewood at $3. Jackson Bird, who had a solid MCG Test, is $4.33 while Lyon is at $5 and O'Keefe is at $5.50.

Mohammad Amir somehow went wicketless in Melbourne but was arguably Pakistan's best bowler, beating the bat countless times and conceding just 91 off 33 overs.

He is $3.50 to be top wicket-taker for Pakistan in the first innings, while Yasir Shah, who toiled for his 3-207, will be hoping for a better return at the spin-friendly SCG, where he is $3.75 to take most wickets in the first innings.

Given Pakistan's strong credentials against the spinning ball and the likelihood of Australia picking two spinners, it's shaping up to be a tactical battle for much of the five days.

However, Pakistan have cost themselves both tests to date by having one or two poor sessions, so you'd think the home side holds the edge and should claim a 3-0 series sweep.

Over 70,000 fans are expected to turn out on Boxing Day in Melbourne to see Australia attempt to wrap up the three-match series against Pakistan in the traditional MCG Boxing Day Test.

While the first Test between them was a lot closer than Australia would have liked, with Pakistan coming within 40 runs of an extraordinary win after a mammoth fourth-innings run chase, the oddsmakers firmly believe that the Aussies will get the job done here and have the home side as $1.40 favorites to win this match according to website AustralianGambling.com.au.

Pakistan, who have now lost 10 consecutive Test matches on Australian soil, are $5.50 outsiders despite their Brisbane heroics. That is about half a point shorter than they started for the opening Test of the series and it is likely the conditions at the MCG will suit their bowlers a lot more.

Hot weather is expected for the start of the match, meaning that rain interruptions should be at a minimum, and the draw is considered the least likely of the three results at $6. It is worth noting that there has been only one draw in an MCG Test this century from the 16 matches played.

In fact, of the 97 Tests played on Australian soil since the start of 2000, just 16 have been draws, while 12 have been Australian losses.

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The key to avoiding an upset here will be strong Australian batting. Steve Smith, who is $3.25 to be Australia's first innings top scorer, notched a 16th Test century in Brisbane and looks in good touch. David Warner's form is more of a concern. He may be second in the market to be the Australian top scorer at $4, but in his last nine Tests, he is without a century and averaged just 28 in that time period.

Pakistan can bring considerable pressure to bear with the ball. Mohammad Amir, who is the $3 favorite to have the most first-innings wickets, was good in Brisbane with five wickets in total, while Wahab Riaz ($4) also took four first-innings wickets, including the top three Australian scorers.

Yasir Shah ($4) bowled 53 overs across the two innings, including 43 in the first, without a lot of luck. He had missed a bit of cricket heading into that game, so you'd expect him to be more dangerous on what should be a more suitable MCG pitch.

That Pakistan were able to get so close in Brisbane with only minor contributions from their top three batsmen, Misbah Ul Haq, Azhar Ali and Younis Khan, was remarkable. Those three are all at the top of the market to be top run-scorers in Pakistan's first innings, while the man who almost orchestrated the most extraordinary of Test wins, Asad Shafiq, seems like value at $5.

Mitchell Starc was the best of the bowlers but was made to toil for 56 overs for his eight wickets in total across the four and a bit days. Starc is $2.75 to be Australia's leading first innings wicket-taker, with Josh Hazelwood, who was economical but not damaging in Brisbane, at $3.

Aside from Starc, there was a suggestion Australia's bowling lacked bite, especially as the Pakistani run chase wore on, and that could see a call-up for Chadd Sayers.

If Pakistan can hold their discipline and nerve across the five days, they could really push Australia, but you sense that the margin between Australia's best and worst sessions will be smaller. They are deserved favorites.

The Gabba in Brisbane has been an Australian fortress for nearly 30 years. The last touring team to go there and win a Test were the legendary West Indies team of 1988, and while this week's Test between Australia and Pakistan will be the first played under day-night conditions at the venue, the betting markets are tipping another home victory.

Australia's past few months have been some of the roughest in recent cricketing history for the proud nation, with Test series losses away to Sri Lanka and at home to South Africa. That led to a massive changing of the guard ahead of the final Test of that South Africa series in Adelaide, with the chairman of selectors replaced and five changes made to the starting XI.

Included in that five were three debutant batsmen, and the team approached their task in Adelaide with a renewed energy, winning the dead rubber easily.

As a result of that, plus a dominant 3-0 series sweep of New Zealand in one-day cricket, the home side go in as $1.36 favorites for this match, which starts Thursday, while the Aussies are $1.25 to win the series, according to AustralianGambling.com.au.

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Those odds seem remarkable for a team that had lost five Tests in succession and looked like they were going nowhere prior to Adelaide. But Australian bookmakers have a habit of underquoting on the Aussies, who started as favorites for the two home Tests they lost to South Africa in Perth and Hobart.

Pakistan are $6.20 to win this match, having not played a Test in Brisbane since 1999 and having lost nine consecutive Tests in Australia, a streak that goes back to 1995.

Typical of Pakistani teams, there is plenty of talent here. The question is how they can apply themselves. Their batting is led by the trio of Azhar Ali, Younis Khan and Misbah ul Haq, all of whom are both experienced and talented.

The fitness of leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who has taken 40 Test wickets in the second half of this year, is crucial to their chances. He has had back issues and is no certainty to line up despite being $4 to take the most first-innings wickets.

Heading that market is Mohammad Amir at $3.25. Amir's career mirrors the roller coaster that is Pakistan cricket. He was jailed over his involvement in spot-fixing as a teenager and spent six years out of the game. His return to the Test arena has been promising, and he recently bowled a mesmerizing spell with the pink ball in a tour match.

Amir's tribulations and those of his nation put Australia's spot of trouble last month into perspective.

David Warner looks to be back in touch after a pair of ODI centuries against New Zealand, while Usman Khawaja is coming off a ton in the most recent Test.

The Aussie bowling attack will enjoy the humid Queensland conditions as well, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood both bowling well in Adelaide. Expect Nathan Lyon to fare much better than he did earlier in the summer. The Gabba is statistically one of his best grounds.

The expectation is that Australia will have too much experience and depth and that Pakistan will again fold. But you suspect the difference between these two teams is not as great as the betting markets indicate. At the very least, it will be fascinating to watch what this resurgent Pakistan team put forward.

It has taken wins in one Test and two one-day internationals to turn the momentum of Australia's summer around, and they go into the third and final match of the Chappell Hadlee series against New Zealand at the MCG on the verge of a series sweep.

Two weeks ago, Australian cricket was at a crossroads after a humiliating Test series loss to South Africa, but a win in the dead rubber of that series and a comfortable pair of 50-over wins in Sydney and Canberra against the touring Black Caps has brightened the skies.

Australia have been utterly dominant in the ODI series, led from the front by Steve Smith and David Warner, Australia's two best batsmen. Smith compiled a brilliant 164 in the first ODI in Sydney, while Warner poured on the class with his 119 in Canberra.

Those innings allowed Australia to put together massive totals of 324 and 378 in their two matches to date, both of which proved well beyond the under-strength Kiwis.

With defeats of 68 and 116 runs, it is little surprise that the Black Caps find themselves as outsiders—at a price of $3.34, with Australia at $1.33—to make it 3-0 in Melbourne, according to website AustralianGambling.com.au.

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The last time New Zealand played Australia on this ground was the 2015 World Cup final, where they were humbled on the big stage. The Black Caps did win at the MCG in 2009, but the Aussies lead the head-to-head matchup in ODIs here 15-4.

You wouldn't think skipper Kane Williamson would fancy sending Australia in again should he win the toss as he did in Canberra. His inexperienced bowling line-ups were taken for plenty of runs, with only spinner Mitchell Santner able to contain the flow.

In contrast, the Aussie bowlers impressed, especially Pat Cummins, who took a career-best 4-41. He is $5 to be Australia's leading wicket-taker in this match, while Mitch Starc, who has just three wickets in the first two matches, is $3 to take the most wickets here. The value could be the other Mitch, Marsh, who took 5-33 at the MCG in a World Cup match in 2015 and is $6 to get most wickets in this one.

Tim Southee, who didn't play in the first game but looked the most dangerous of the Kiwi pacemen in Canberra, is $3.75 and good value to get the most wickets for the Black Caps.

In terms of the leading run scorer, it's little surprise that Warner ($3.40) and Smith ($3.60) are top of the markets, but it's worth noting that Warner's fellow opener Aaron Finch ($5) has two centuries and a 96 in his past three MCG ODI innings.

Martin Guptill, who struck a century in the opening match in Sydney, is $3.60 to top score for the Black Caps in the final match, while Williamson, who top scored with 81 in Canberra, is $3.75 to repeat that honor.

If New Zealand are to salvage something from the series, you'd think they'd need big innings from both men. But in spite of what promises to be a wintery day in Melbourne, you'd think the home side will complete the sweep.

Having snapped their Test losing streak, Australia will be looking to end another five-match barren run when they host New Zealand in the ODI Chappell-Hadlee series, which starts this Sunday in Sydney.

While Australia may have won the World Cup at the start of 2015, their lack of depth in the 50-over format was shown in the 5-0 series loss in South Africa in October.

The big difference for Australia in this series is that they get back front-line bowling trio Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and James Faulkner, who all missed the tour of South Africa.

The trans-Tasman rivals have played each other three times since Australia's victory in the World Cup final at the MCG in March 2015, with New Zealand prevailing in the 2015-16 edition of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 2-1 after victories in Auckland and Hamilton.

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Remarkably, this is the first time these two have met in a one-day series on Australian soil since 2009, but traditionally, the Aussies have dominated when the teams play here, having lost only two of the past 15 home ODIs between the two.

Hence they go into series as $1.36 favorites, according to website AustralianGambling.com.au, while the Black Caps are $3.10 outsiders.

A series sweep for the Aussies is priced at $3, with the favorite series result 2-1 in Australia's favor at $2.25. A Black Caps 2-1 series win is considered a $3.75 chance, while a New Zealand sweep is at $13.

The return of Faulkner and Hazlewood is big, but Starc's inclusion is massive. He boasts the best strike rate and average of any Australian ODI bowler with more than 50 wickets. Accordingly, he is the $2.87 favorite to be Australia's leading wicket taker of the series.

The importance of Starc with the ball is matched by the importance of David Warner with the bat. The powerful left-hander so often sets the tone for the Aussie innings and is equal favorite with skipper Steve Smith to score the most runs for Australia in the series at $2.75.

But the player who could prove crucial for Australia is Mitchell Marsh. The 25-year-old may have hit a flat spot in his career, but he was excellent against the Kiwis earlier this year, claiming seven wickets in the three games and scoring 110 runs.

New Zealand are missing two powerful batsmen in Corey Anderson and Ross Taylor for this series, leaving Kane Williamson to carry much of the load with the bat as well as captain the side.

Williamson is $2.25 to top the run-scorers' list for New Zealand over the three matches, but it's worth noting that in six previous matches against Australia, he has only made it past 50 once. Martin Guptill might be a better bet at $3 seeing he did make two 50s in the last Chappell-Hadlee series. Fellow opener Tom Latham, who was recalled for the recent ODI series against India, is at $4.

The Kiwis' bowling lineup also lacks depth with Trent Boult and Tim Southee taking the new ball. They are $3 equal favorites for most wickets, but you'd lean toward Southee, who edged Boult seven wickets to six in the recent Indian series.

Across the three games, you'd expect the Black Caps' inexperience to be shown up and the home side, with a point to prove, to flex their muscles and build some more momentum back into their summer.

There has never been a more fascinating dead rubber in the 139-year history of Test cricket.

With the series already decided thanks to South Africa's easy wins in the Tests at Perth and Hobart, the day-night Test in Adelaide could mark the birth of the next generation of Australian cricket.

Faced with the humiliation of the first home-series whitewash in their history, Australia have reacted savagely at the selection table. After the chief selector Rod Marsh stood down, the Aussies named five new players, with four of them yet to debut at this level.

Twenty-year-old batsman Matt Renshaw is likely to open the batting alongside David Warner, while Victorian middle-order batsman Peter Handscomb powered his way into a baggy green after a double century at the Sheffield Shield level last week.

Nic Maddinson has long been predicted to ascend to the Test level, and he'll get his chance as well, while paceman Chadd Sayers will also get to play on his home ground.

The other change sees Matthew Wade replace Peter Nevill as keeper in a move that is as much about attitude as it is about aptitude. The Aussies want to get their fierceness back, and Wade provides that with the bat, the gloves and his personality.

As a result, a home victory in this Test is priced at $2.85, according to website AustralianGambling.com.au, despite Australia losing their last five matches in the five-day format. If they were to win this match, it would be one of the more remarkable achievements in recent Australian cricket history, given the tumult of the past fortnight.

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South Africa have hardly been spectators during the fallout of the past few weeks. Rather than sit and watch while Australian cricket imploded, the tourists found themselves under scrutiny after skipper Faf du Plessis was filmed using a sweet or lolly to work the ball in the Hobart Test. It cost him 100 percent of his match fee.

The Proteas are $2 favorites to win this, and given the way they have dominated with the ball this series, that seems overly generous. Their pacemen, minus an injured Dale Steyn, have been remarkable and Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Kyle Abbott have combined for 31 wickets.

The day-night conditions at the Adelaide Oval, with a pink ball, should suit them even more.

There's a slight doubt over Philander coming into this match, which means the $3.50 available on Rabada and the $3.75 on Abbott getting the most wickets in the first innings seems good value.

The most-first-innings-wickets market for the Aussies sees Mitch Starc ($2.70) and Josh Hazlewood ($3) dominant.

In terms of the top-runscorer markets for the first innings, Warner and Steve Smith share the top of the market for the Aussies at $3.75 apiece, Usman Khawaja is $4 with the debutants, Renshaw ($6), Handscomb ($7) and Maddinson ($8), all in single figures.

Hashim Amla may only have 48 runs for the series, but the oddsmakers clearly think he's due. He is the $4.33 favorite to lead South Africa in first-innings scoring. Du Plessis and Dean Elgar are $5.50 with in-form keeper Quinton de Kock at $6.

The one result that appears highly unlikely in the Test is the draw, priced at $4.75. With fine weather predicted all week in the City of Churches, it is highly expected this match won't go the distance with the pink ball set to dominate the bat.

Australia head into their Second Test cricket match against South Africa at Hobart, Australia, beginning Saturday needing a break in the weather and a turn in their fortunes if they are to rescue this series.

Before this week, the last time Australia had lost an opening Test of the summer on home soil captain Steve Smith hadn't been born, but that defeat at the WACA has the home side and their captain under considerable pressure.

Markets have South Africa at $1.50 to win their third consecutive series, according to website AustralianGambling, with an Australian revival priced at $7 and a drawn series at $3.75.

The reason that market is so lopsided against the Aussies is that the second Test is literally under a cloud, with constant rain expected to ruin the first two days of play.

A wet weekend in Hobart will hopefully clear for at least three days of cricket, but oddsmakers understandably are skeptical of there being a result.

They have the draw priced at $1.61, despite the fact it has been 15 years, and seven Tests, since we last had a Test without a result at the Bellerive Oval.

Australia have only ever lost once there, to New Zealand in 2011, but it is a ground where the team who has batted first has won eight of 12 Test matches, so the toss could be important.

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South Africa are $4.75 outsiders to win this one, having never played at Hobart before. They will certainly find it a different challenge to the WACA, which offered familiar conditions for both their batsmen and bowlers as well as sizable South African crowd support.

Dale Steyn is out for up to six months with a shoulder injury, and Morne Morkel, Kyle Abbott and Dwaine Pretorius will fight it out for his spot in the XI.

Australia, who are $4.20 to win this Test, will have to make at least two changes with Peter Siddle (back) and Shaun Marsh (finger) both ruled out. Joe Mennie will make his Test debut. He is the 11th paceman to debut for Australia in the past five years and will be hoping for a better return than his recent ODI debut in South Africa, where he conceded a record-breaking zero for 82.

Joe Burns and Callum Ferguson are battling for Marsh's spot at the top of the order, with Burns seemingly having the edge.

Whoever gets the nod will have to give plenty of support to David Warner, who looks in good form. He should have had a century in the first inning in Perth and was run out in spectacular fashion in the second. He averages 81.75 in Hobart, while the pressure is on Smith, who failed twice in Perth and made just 10 when last playing there last year.

First the first time in over 20 years, the opening test of the Australian summer won't be in Brisbane, with Australia hosting South Africa at the WACA in Perth on Thursday and both sides looking to climb their way back up the ICC test rankings.

Australia and South Africa have been one and two in the test rankings for much of the past 15 years, but both find themselves in stages of transition, with the Aussies currently third behind first-place India and second-place Pakistan, and South Africa battling in fifth.

In fact, the touring Proteas have won just two of their past 12 tests and come to Australia without their inspirational skipper—AB de Villiers. But they do at least have a recent series victory under their belt, having beaten New Zealand 1-0 at home in August.

They also go into this first test with the confidence that they have never lost at the WACA. They won here in 2008 and 2012 and drew here in 2005. They hold the rare honor of having defeated Australia in consecutive home series.

Despite that record, South Africa go into this match as outsiders at $3, according to website AustralianGambling.com.au, but having been backed from $3.25 when markets opened.

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Australia have drifted to $1.98, which seems short for a team embarrassed in their recent series in Sri Lanka, which they lost 3-0.

Australia's best paceman, Mitch Starc, comes into this match under an injury cloud, with a cut knee suffered six weeks ago, while the decision to select South Australian paceman Joe Mennie over Jackson Bird in the 12 raised eyebrows. Mennie could make his test debut, but he is in a battle with Peter Siddle for the final pace spot behind Starc and Josh Hazelwood. Starc is an $8 equal favorite to be man of the match along with the two best Aussie batsmen—David Warner and Steve Smith.

Stand-in South African skipper Faf du Plessis, coming off a century at his most recent test, is also an $8 equal favorite.

The man whom the Aussie batsmen will most fear is Dale Steyn, currently ranked the world's No. 2 bowler. He's taken 11 wickets in his two WACA Tests and is $9.50 to get man of the match honors.

South African top-order batsman Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock are $10.

Those keen on taking the $4.15 on the draw should be aware there have been just three draws in the past 22 years at the ground, taking in 21 tests. However, the most recent test against New Zealand saw both teams compile massive first-inning scores of over 550, which all but ruled out a result.

Australia, fresh from a one-day series sweep in Sri Lanka, heads to South Africa for a five ODI which, should they win, would firmly establish them at the top of world ODI rankings.

The Australians are boosted by an unexpected absentee for the home side, with inspirational South African captain AB de Villiers, arguably the world's best batsman, set to not only miss this series but the upcoming test series between these two nations in Australia.

De Villiers requires elbow surgery, leaving Faf Du Plessis to skipper the side starting with Friday's opening ODI against the Australians at Centurion.

Despite De Villiers' absence, according to website AustralianGambling, the Proteas go into this series as $1.70 favorites, while the tourists, who have won nine of the past 14 matches between the two sides, are $2.15 outsiders.

Australia has weaknesses of their own ahead of this series, having decided to leave damaging paceman Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood at home to prepare for the Australian summer. Scott Boland and John Hastings lead a pace attack which features untried talent Chris Tremain, Joe Mennie and Daniel Worrall.

Adam Zampa continues to press his claims as Australia's first-choice spinner in this format. He continues to get wickets, including three in the recent warm-up ODI against Ireland, a match Australia won easily, and is $4 to get the most wickets in the first match.

Usman Khawaja made 82 in that match, while Steve Smith compiled 59. However, David Warner's 48 off 30 balls was probably the most promising sign for the Australians heading into this series. Unsurprisingly, Warner is $3.75 to be the top run scorer in the first match, where he is likely to be rejoined by Aaron Finch, who is at $4.50.

Khawaja is likely to be dropped despite his heroics against Ireland, but he is still currently in the leading run-scorer market at $4.33.

Series between South Africa and Australia are always tightly fought, and both teams will be keen to begin well. The first match at Centurion is crucial. Australia and South Africa have played at this venue on six previous occasions and split their matches three apiece.

The match gets underway at 9:30 a.m. AEST on Friday, September 30.

Australia's tour of Sri Lanka looked headed for disaster after a series Test sweep but in a matter of a few days things have turned around for the tourists, who can seal a one-day international series win in the fourth one-day international at Dambulla on Wednesday.

After Australia won the first game and Sri Lanka dominated the second, a patient George Bailey's knock of 70 enabled the visitors to patiently chase down a winning target of 227 in the most recent game on Sunday. They had four overs left, but just two wickets, making it a closer run thing than it probably should have been.

Adam Zampa has been the great revelation of this series, taking back-to-back three-wicket hauls to give Australia some bite with the slow ball. The leggie now has 19 wickets in 10 ODIs since his debut earlier this year, while he has done this at an impressive economy rate of 4.91. Only three spinners in Australian ODI history have a better career strike rate than Zampa.

Zampa goes into the match as the $3.75 second favorite, according to AustralianGambling.com, to take the most wickets behind Mitch Starc, who is $3.50, having claimed eight wickets in the series to date, while James Faulkner, who is the leading wicket-taker of the series with nine, including a hat-trick in the second match, is $4.50.

The man the Aussie bowlers have really struggled to dismiss this series has been Dinesh Chandimal, who has compiled innings of 80 not out, 48 and 102. He is a surprisingly good value to top Sri Lanka's scorers for the third time in four matches at $4.50 ahead of Kusal Mendis. Chandimal's wicket is the most crucial to Australia securing an unbeatable 3-1 series lead.

The hi-bat market for Australia is more a reflection of opportunity than form with stand-in skipper David Warner the $4.33 favorite to top score despite innings of eight, one and 10 in the series to date. His fellow opener Aaron Finch is second pick at $4.50, and while he is in slightly better form, having made 56, four and 30, the Aussie openers have struggled to make a start.

With usual captain Steve Smith "resting" at home, that has put the pressure on the middle order, especially Bailey and Matt Wade, who have both performed well. Bailey, who was top scorer last time and is $5 to do it again, has put together innings of 39, 27 and 70, while Wade ($8.50 to top-score) has provided some steel with knocks of 26, 76 and 42.

With the momentum in Australia's favor, they go in as $1.74 favorites to win this match, with Sri Lanka at $2.10. Given the way the series has evolved and Australia's relative comfort against spin in this format of the game, they are in a great position to secure an unassailable 3-1 lead.