Cricket: 2nd Test Match - Australia v New Zealand Odds and Betting Preview

Story by Jack Howard on 2011-12-08 10:00:01

HOBART, AUSTRALIA – Australia host New Zealand in the second game of their two match test series starting on Thursday. The home side won the first encounter by an emphatic nine wicket margin, and it is therefore unsurprising that the start the game as 8/11 (bet £11 to make £8 profit) favourites with Boylesports. For those punters expecting the tourists to secure a surprise victory in the second test, however, New Zealand can be backed at best odds of 15/2 with Stan James, whilst the draw is on offer at 2/1 with Ladbrokes.

Australia amassed a lead of over 130 runs in the first innings at Brisbane, before bowling New Zealand out for 150 in their second innings. The Australian bowling was utterly ruthless, with a particularly impressive spell of 5-27 from opening bowler James Pattinson. Captain Michael Clarke will hope that his side can produce a similar display in the second match, securing a 2-0 victory over their southern-hemisphere rivals in the series.

The captain lead by example in the first game, building a masterful innings of 139 runs. It is not the first time that Clarke has demonstrated an ability to make large scores whilst coping with the added pressures of captaincy, and it is therefore unsurprising that Clarke starts the second test match as joint-favourite to top score for Australia: he can currently be backed at 4/1 the Stan James. Ex-captain Ricky Ponting made 298 runs the last time he played a test match in Hobart, and starts the game at identical odds of 4/1 with Stan James to amass the most runs for the home side.

If New Zealand are to compete seriously in Hobart, then captain Ross Taylor knows that they must produce a better display of batting. In Brisbane none of their top five batsmen made a score of over fifty runs, and this is simply not sufficient to put a side like Australia under pressure. New Zealand opener Brendon McCullum starts the game as 4/1 favourite with William Hill to top score for his side, whilst opening partner Martin Guptill can be backed at a slightly longer 5/1 with Ladbrokes. Captain Ross Taylor is available at 4/1 with Stan James, whilst New Zealand veteran Daniel Vettori – who made the highest score of 96 in the first match – can be backed at a considerably longer 8/1 with BetVictor.

Clarke will be hoping for a similarly deadly display from his bowlers in this upcoming game, and James Pattinson starts as 5/2 favourite with Ladbrokes to finish with the best figures for the home side once again. Pattinson’s team mate Peter Siddle is also thought to be dangerous by the bookmakers, and can be backed at 10/3 with Blue Square. New Zealand’s most threatening bowler, on the other hand, is deemed to be Tim Southee at 3/1 with Skybet, whilst Dan Vettori can be backed at a slightly longer 4/1 with Blue Square to finish with the best figures.

Play starts at 23.30 GMT

Australia v New Zealand Match Odds

Australia Top Batsman Odds

New Zealand Top Batsman Odds

Australia Top Bowler Odds

New Zealand Top Bowler Odds