Australia v New Zealand predictions, tips & odds update, 1st Test

Australia v India second T20 tips

Our Australia v New Zealand betting preview will run you through all the latest news surrounding the series, plus highlight our best bets and tips for the opening Test.

This three-Test series kicks of at Perth Stadium with a day-night Test starting on Thursday, December 12. It will be only the second Test at the state-of-the-art venue, and the first played with the pink ball.

New Zealand will go into the series full of confidence. The Black Caps have had a fabulous year in which they were unlucky not to win the 50-over World Cup and they also have been dominant in the five-day game.
They are coming off a solid 1-0 victory in the two-Test series against England in New Zealand. Wicketkeeper BJ Watling made a double ton in the first match, while star batsmen Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor played themselves into superb form with tons in the second innings of the second Test to ensure the match was drawn.

The Kiwis have soared to second in the Test world rankings with an imposing recent record of three losses, five draws and 14 wins in their past 22 Tests.

But the numbers are not so good against Australia, particularly in Australia. They have just three wins in Australia and eight wins from 57 Tests between the teams overall. Their most recent Test clashes came in 2016 when Australia won two Tests in NZ to win a series 2-0 and before that the Aussies won 2-0 in a three-Test series in Australia.

Australia would have been disappointed to come away from the Ashes series in England with a 2-2 draw even though they retained the urn.
But since they have returned to home soil they have been in wonderful form, destroying Pakistan by an innings in each of two Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide.
Even more importantly, while their much-vaunted attack continued to dominate, top-order batsman David Warner has returned to his blistering best, cracking a triple ton in the second Test. They also had Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne and even Matthew Wade in great form.
So it should be a fascinating series. A measure of New Zealand’s rise is that they have been drawn to play the Australians in the marquee Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.

Continue reading for our Australia v New Zealand predictions and odds update for the first Test of the three-Test series being played in Australia.

Australia v New Zealand odds

Australia are red-hot favourites at $1.36 to win the first Test, with New Zealand at $4.50 and the unlikely draw at $8. For plenty more markets and special offers we recommend betting with the likes of leading bookmaker Ladbrokes.

Australia v New Zealand best bets

As always when we preview cricket matches, we provide a few best bets, and we think the hot-house conditions in Perth may suit Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon, who seems certain to get plenty of overs.

Nathan Lyon man of the match at $15

Lyon was man of the match in the only previous Test at this venue, against India. Lyon also did the right thing by us in the second Test against Pakistan when we predicted he would top the wicket-takers in the second innings. With 40C degrees-plus forecast for Perth, the pacemen should be used in short bursts while Lyon will get plenty of opportunities to ply his craft. He is the best spin bowler in the world in Australian conditions.

Kane Williamson to top-score for NZ

The Kiwis captain is around $3.50 to top-score in the first innings. Williamson is quality and also the sort of player who goes on with the job once he finds form, which he did against England with a second-innings ton. The conditions will be a lot more challenging against the Australian pace barrage and the spin of Lyon, but that only makes us more confident the cream will rise to the top.

Lockie Ferguson most wickets for NZ

Surely with Trent Boult under an injury cloud it’s time for Ferguson to make his debut. The paceman was most impressive in his team’s run to the ICC World Cup final and he looks the sort of bowler who can trouble Australia’s top-order with genuine speed. Boult will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness but we think it’s a risk not worth taking in searing heat and tough conditions.

Australia v New Zealand prediction

This will be a fascinating Test as both teams are back near the top of their games. Australia’s record on home soil is phenomenal and it is probably up there with India as the toughest place to win for visiting teams. Having said that, we can’t take the short odds for Australia, given they have at times proven to have fragility in the batting order. The Kiwis will provide a far sterner examination of their line-up than Pakistan were able to in Brisbane and Perth. Good punting.

How to bet on Australia v New Zealand

Australia v New Zealand betting is available at all leading online betting sites, with cricket a mainstay at bookmaker sites. If you’re based out of New Zealand our recommended Kiwi betting sites will also have plenty of odds for this match.

Relevant news

Leave a Reply