As one test series ends, another begins. West Indies and
Australia’s test series hasn’t quite had the coverage that it really deserves
given the hubbub about England retaining their No.1 position at the head of the
Championship, but anyone who turned into Sky Sports 4 from 3PM is likely to be
in for a treat.
The two sides were evenly matched in the One Day series and
not even tests were enough to separate them and it’ll be fascinating to see how
they match up in the Test arena today.
The Windies have made a decent recovery considering the political infighting
that has blighted their regional game and it’ll be fascinating to see how they
start infront of a hopefully vociferous home crowd.
The two sides were evenly matched in the One Day series and
not even tests were enough to separate them and it’ll be fascinating to see how
they match up in the Test arena today.
The Windies have made a decent recovery considering the political infighting
that has blighted their regional game and it’ll be fascinating to see how they
start infront of a hopefully vociferous home crowd.
Their home record certainty needs a good deal of improving on.
Since they last played a home series against Australia, in 2008, West Indies
have won only two out of 15 home Tests, and lost series against Bangladesh,
India and South Africa.
They were always going to be up against things playing in
India but even them they were brushed aside fairly readily and before that they’d
beaten Bangladesh in their last previous series. While their ODI form seems to
suggest an improved team the IPL means that Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Sunil
Narine, Andre Russell and Chris Gayle are all missing which leaves a big hole
in the side.
This leaves Shivnarine Chanderpaul to hold things together
for the Windies, and the stats are very much a pointer towards a big showing.
ESPN says that in 12 Tests against Australia since 2000, Chanderpaul averages
47.95; in six home Tests against them during this period, his record matches
that of Ponting's: four centuries in six Tests, and an average of 77.67.
Moreover, he also has a superb record in Barbados, the venue for the first Test:
in 15 matches there, he averages 63.55, including three centuries. He can be
backed at 7/2 with Ladbrokes to be the top West Indies Batsman during the 1st
test and at the same score for the Series, both of which seem decent value.
Australia’s batting line up has improved since that Ashes
trashing by England; Indeed Michael Clarke (pictured with Ricky Ponting) seems to be getting the best out of
his charges as they look to make some progress throughought the test rankings,
and with 626 runs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy he looks well worth backing for
the same honours as Chanderpaul, along with a good bet on him to outscore David
Warner in the 1st innings of the first test. During the Border -
Gavaskar Trophy Warner and Clarke drew 3 times but that looks to be a bit of an
anomaly given the disparity in runs between the two and at 5/6 the captain can show
who’s boss.
Australia’s pace bowling attack is sure to be lethal if they
can get the right bounce off the pitches and I’ve been of the view that James
Pattinson – one of quite a few finds since the Ashes defeat by England – is not
only the most talented of the Australia group, but one of the more promising
fast bowlers in world cricket. Ever since he burst onto the scene against New
Zealand he’s confirmed himself a top class bowler with a spree of wickets
against India and he was unlucky to suffer injury midway through the series –
if so he’d have finished up with double his total off 11 wickets based on his average, and he can take the title of
top wicket tacker throughought the series at a tasty 7/2; The 1st
innings bet deserves a look in too.
And while Australia are no value to win the series – wins to
nil are a dangerous score in test cricket over a series – the 4/6 one can get
on them winning the first test looks to be a very solid wager given the change
up in squads since their ODI meetings.
Advice – 1st Test
5 pts Australia (4/6 Blue Sq, Stan James, 888 Sport)
1 pt Michael Clarke top Australian Batsman (4/1Sky Bet, Stan
James)
2 pts Michael Clarke to outscore David Warner in 1st
Innings (5/6 Hills)
1 pt Shivnarine Chanderpaul top West Indies 1st
innings batsman (7/2 Ladbrokes)
Advice – Series
1 pt Shivnarine Chanderpaul top West Indies batsman (7/2
Ladbrokes)
2 pts Michael Clarke top Australian Batsman (4/1 Stan James,
Ladbrokes)
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