West Indies v Australia 1st Test betting tips and prediction

Australia will be aiming to respond to their ICC World Test Final loss, when they clash with the West Indies in the first of a three Test series in the Caribbean, starting at Barbados on Thursday. 

The Aussies have been installed a $1.35 favourite with the PlayUp bookie, which is no surprise given their many years of dominance over the West Indies $5.25. 

But fans will still have the Windies famous victory in the second Test in Brisbane fresh in their minds, when Shamar  Joseph snagged seven wickets in the final innings to give them some long overdue joy on Australian soil. 

While Australia ultimately retained the Frank Worrell Trophy with a 1-1 series draw, it has breathed life into this away series, which could see a transition at the top of the order for the Aussies. 

The Aussies are likely to unleash Sam Konstas and possibly Josh Inglis into the team that batted terribly against South Africa, and has already had Marnus Labuschagne axed from it. 

Australia may also bring in an extra spinner — Matt Kuhnemann — with the Barbados pitch expected to turn and favour the slow bowlers. 

The home team will be captained by Roston Chase and will feature star pacemen Joseph and Alzarri Joseph, who have both troubled the Australian top order in the past. 

The question, as always for the West Indies, is whether they can make enough runs against the experienced Australian attack. 

Below are our free West Indies v Australia betting tips for the 1st Test starting on June 26. 

West Indies v Australia tips for the 1st Test

Our cricket betting expert has assessed the markets and made some educated West Indies v Australia tips: 

Cameron Green to top-score in either innings

Green was listless in the World Test Final and looked completely at sea against the talented South African pace attack. His task won’t be much easier here, but he desperately needs to show he belongs in the top order against a world-class attack at Test level. While the Windies pacemen are supremely talented, they are not disciplined and Green has the weapons to cash in. He is paying $3.25 to score a 50 in the first innings, great value for us. Or he is paying $11 to win man of the match. 

Shamar Joseph most wickets in Australia’s first bat

Joseph will be looking forward to resuming hostilities with the Australian batsman and there is some value there for us, if he can dish up a repeat. Keep an eye on the pitch conditions and if it looks to have anything in it for the pacemen, jump on the $4 for most wickets in the Aussies first innings. 

West Indies v Australia prediction 1st Test

The cricket world is watching to see how Australia responds to their loss to South Africa in the World Test Final at Lords, and how generation next will go at the top level. While we have seen the likes of Konstas before, expect a more demure, traditional approach from the young opener. While not much is expected when the top Test team in the world, play the team ranked eighth, the Windies are a live chance and deserve some consideration. We will have something on Green to fire but might wait until the second Test before opening up the shoulders in a betting sense. Our final West Indies v Australia 1st Test prediction? Australia, just because their batting line-up, looks more settled.