australiatestCouch Critic provides his betting tips for the third test match between Australia and New Zealand which gets underway in Sydney on Friday 3rd January

 

 

 

 

The clocked has ticked over and into what many believe to be the new decade. For cricket lovers the second or third day of the New Year not only signals the end of a celebratory hangover but it also means the commencement of the first test match of the year. In Australia we see the New Year's test taking place in Sydney as the Kiwi's try and save some face by avoiding the whitewash. Whilst the players are usually all keen to get their stats going in the right direction from the start of a calendar year, us punters also feel the need to start with a bang. So here are my thoughts on how to get in the black early in 2020 off the back of what I expect to see in Sydney.

 

SETTING THE SCENE

 

It came as somewhat of a surprise to this pundit to see the Kiwi's as thoroughly dominated as they have been in this series. Losses of 296 and 247 runs respectively in the first two tests are big hidings to take especially when you came into the series intent on showing you deserve to mix it with the best. Bowling wise the Black Caps just haven't been ale to power through the Aussie lineup. They have at times been able to create a crack or two but the likes of Labuschagne, Smith and Head have just proven too tough to break. Starc, Cummins, Lyon and Pattinson (in the last test) are the class act in World Cricket at present and have proven too hot for the visitors to handle. The fact that Captain Kane hasn't come to the party certainly didn't help matters.

 

Take our FA Cup Round 3 treble, Middlesbrough v Spurs both teams to score, Barnsley to win and Burton v Northampton over 2.5 goals with odds boosted to 8.90

 

HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT

 

The Sydney wicket has historically proven to assist the spinners the most of the Australian pitches. In the current Big Bash there has been a 200 plus posted thanks in no small part to a Chris Lynn special. Spinners have however picked up a good haul of wickets here. In the 2018 version of the New Year's Test Pat Cummins picked up eight sticks yet Lyon pitched in with three wickets in the second innings. The Baggy Greens were able to post an impressive 649/7 in their only innings against England. In 2019 India managed 622/7 (Lyon taking four). The Aussies had a difficult time keeping Kuldeep Yadav out - Yadav and Jadeja taking seven wickets between them in the Australian innings. Thus I am expecting perhaps a touch of help for the fast men early but good batting conditions and assistance for spin later. Both camps have talked about considering a twin-spin attack for this clash.

 

BETTING ANGLE

 

Steve Smith has had to find ways of coping with especially Neil Wagner's tactics to him. He still hasn't quite been as prolific as the Smith we know but I have a feeling the New South Welshman will want to start 2020 with a whole bucket full of runs.

Besides struggling for runs, Kane Williamson has now also had some health issues in the run up to this match. Henry Nicholls has struggled his way through the first two tests yet is still a top 20 ranked batsman. With Williamson possibly out of action and none of the others really sticking their hands up in Aus thus far (barring Blundell last time out) he looks as good a pick as anyone else. The new ball should be a thing of the past by the time he steps out to have a crack.

Nathan Lyon plays the ultimate team role. Often he is almost forgotten behind his superstar trio of quicks. Yet he regularly pitches in with the odd important first innings wicket whilst now sporting consecutive second innings four-for's when the pitches starts to offer him something. I'm backing Gary to have a ball of a time in conditions that he knows very well and suit him perfectly.

 

BETOLIMP BEST BETS

Batsman to score a hundred in the first innings - Steve Smith @ 4.00

Top New Zealand Batsman - H Nicholls @ 8.50

Man of the Match - N Lyon @ 19.00

 

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

Couch Critic