Australia can begin to pay for any Christmas excess by continuing
their revival ahead of the upcoming Ashes double header with a Boxing Day test
win against Sri Lanka. The worry for those looking at taking prices of 4/7 is
the many changes made from last week’s winning side, but they’ve only lost two
of the last 14 tests at this venue and both were to extremely high quality
England and South Africa sides, both of whom were in far better shape than the
Sri Lanka unit which will face the home side today.
And in any case, even if the remarkable Michael Clarke –
test cricket’s leading runscorer in 2012 with an astounding 1,489 runs in 17
innings - doesn’t show up, they still have Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle –
so devastating in the Sri Lankan 1st innings with 54-5, and then
again with 50-4 in the second innings) in their bowling attack, which should be
more than enough to give Sri Lanka plenty of problems despite the surprise dropping
of Mitchell Starc for rookie Jackson Bird.
Cat the time of writing, Clarke has yet to confirm his
fitness but there is able support in his absence. Would be Captain Shane Watson
has MCG test scores of 93, 120, 5 and 554 as well as a massive ODI score of 161
not out here, while Michael Hussey looks to have discovered some of his best
form based on scores of 115 and 31 not out last week, while Phil Hughes also
looked very good at the number three spot in Australia’s first start without
Ricky Ponting.
Sri Lanka should enjoy the upcoming pitches more and would
have a chance if the Australian top order collapse without Clarke at the
crease) but have only two away wins in the last 5 years and the hosts are far
too good to pass up at this price. For more value, back Peter Siddle (64-5,
54-5, 50-4) to take the top wicket honours in tests for the third year running
at 5/2.
Advice
4 pts Australia (4/7 general)
1 pt Peter Siddle top 1st Innings Australian
Bowler (5/2 general)
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