Australian vs New Zealand 2nd Test Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News and Predictions – 26/12/2019
Australian and New Zealand are preparing to do battle in a Boxing Day Test match for the first time in 32 years.
The hosts go into the contest holding a 1-0 series lead following a 296-run victory in Perth last week.
The way the NZ batting line-up struggled against Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon in the first Test means they are once more considered underdogs to level matters this time around.
Australia are the short-priced favourites to take a second win that would wrap up the series with one Test still to play.
Australia vs New Zealand – 2nd Test – Match Preview
Where: The MCG, Melbourne
When: Wednesday, December 25
Start Time: 5:00 (IST), 23:30 (GMT)
Australia vs New Zealand 2nd Test – Latest Odds
Australia currently the 1.30 (3/10) favourites with Betway to win the second Test match following their dominance in the first clash.
Meanwhile, New Zealand are priced at 7.00 (6/1) to bounce back and keep the series alive.
Australia vs New Zealand 2nd Test – Team News
Australia faced a scare after David Warner was struck on the hand in the MCG nets but he should recover to take his place at the top of the order.
Warner has been in fine form during the Australian summer and smashed 551 runs since his struggles during the last Ashes series.
Despite being limited to 43 and 19 runs in Perth, the Australian faithful with been pleased to have him available.
On the bowling front, the home side will be without the injured Josh Hazelwood.
Hazelwood bowled just eight balls in the first Test before suffering from a hamstring tear that has ended his series.
He will now be replaced by James Pattinson in the line-up.
New Zealand, meanwhile, will be buoyed by the return of Trent Boult for the second Test.
He missed the series opener with a rib injury but came through a warm-up match and is likely to take his place in the side at the MCG.
Australian vs New Zealand 2nd Test – Betting Tips
Australia are the overwhelming favourites to secure another success at the MCG.
It’s worth noting they have not won the Boxing Day Test for the last two years after drawing with England in 2017 and being handed a 137-run loss by India in 2018.
However, their record on the ground is formidable and you have to fancy their pace attack to prove too strong once again for the New Zealand outfit.
Pat Cummins to rattle the Black Caps
Pat Cummins has an imposing recent record at the MCG and he looks a good bet to continue that against the Black Caps.
He is priced at 3.00 (2/1) with Betway to be Australian’s top bowler in the second Test.
He may have only taken the three wickets at Perth but the 26-year-old pace ace has everything in place to rip through the New Zealand order here.
Despite his side losing to India in Melbourne last year, Cummins was in fine form as he took nine wickets in the match. Six of those came in the second innings as he once again powered through the top order.
Against England in 2017 he cleared up the tail in England’s only innings to finish with four wickets to his name as the match was drawn.
That versatility and his sparkling recent form looks ominous for New Zealand.
Warner is good value to lead Australia’s attack with the bat
David Warner has been in sparkling form during the Australian summer as he firmly put a stuttering away Ashes series behind him.
He has racked up 551 runs since then and looks good value at 4.00 (3/1) with Betway to be his side’s top batsman.
He didn’t feature for Australia against India last year but smashed 103 and 86 in Melbourne against England in 2017. That followed 144 in the win over Pakistan in 2016.
He didn’t quite hit top gear against the Black Caps in Perth but his price looks far too big at a ground that has served him so well in the past.
For New Zealand, it might be worth looking at BJ Watling as their top run-scorer, especially if the openers to falter once more against Cummins and Starc this time around.
He’s priced at 6.5 (11/2) with Betway to build on his second innings 40 in Perth.
Best Bet: Pat Cummins Australia Top Bowler at 3.00 (2/1) with Betway
December 25, 2019 
23:30 
