Australia v India cricket betting tips & Fifth Test preview | SCG

Australia vs India best bets

Australia vs India match preview

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is up for grabs as Australia and India face off in the Fifth Test starting this Friday at the SCG.

Australia will be heading in full of confidence as they secured a miraculous last-hour victory in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. In one of the most memorable games in recent history, India were unable to hold out for a draw as the Aussies took seven wickets in the final session.

Captain Pat Cummins was adjudged Man of the Match for taking six wickets and scoring 90 runs, while other notable performances include Steve Smith’s 140 in the first innings and Jasprit Bumrah taking nine wickets throughout the game.

As a result, Australia now holds a 2-1 lead heading into the final Test. However, as India are the current holders of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, by winning the Test and drawing the series, they will retain the trophy.

n Sydney, Australia enters as strong favourites, with leading cricket bookmakers at -125, while India are at +225. The draw offers interesting odds at +400, given that just one of the last four games has ended in a result, while there are showers forecast throughout the Test. Each of the last three Tests between these nations has ended in a draw.

Sydney traditionally offers a little more spin than other Australian pitches later in the match, but early on expect the pitch to play true for the batsman.

Australia vs India team news

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc is dealing with a rib injury, with Jhye Richardson in the wings if he isn’t cleared.

Meanwhile the pressure is on all-rounder Mitch Marsh, who has scored just 73 runs at an average of 10.4 this series, while his bowling has not been effective. If dropped, uncapped Tasmanian Beau Webster would be the replacement.

Don’t expect many changes to the Indian squad, who despite the loss, had a well-rounded performance. Captain Rohit Sharma is under the most pressure after producing a high score of just 10 in this series, so he may drop back down the order to let KL Rahul return to the top.

Australia vs India predictions

Despite the previous Test coming down to the final hour, Australia were in control of the game for nearly the full five days. Since losing the opener in Perth, the Aussies have been the far stronger side across all facets of the game, particularly in bowling depth, as the Indian seamers have struggled behind Jasprit Bumrah’s success. Rain is a slight threat, but take Australia to win the Test and the series at -125 with top sports bookmakers.

Australian number three Marnus Labuschagne was another player who had a strong game in Melbourne, scoring 72 and 70 in each innings. With more expansive players around him, Marnus is known for taking his time and capitalising when he gets in, scoring three fifties in his last five innings. Labuschagne averages 81 at the SCG with six fifties and a hundred in 10 innings at the venue, so take him to score another 50 at +180 with Marantelli Bet .

Despite India trailing in the series, a key positive has been the form of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. The 23-year-old has scored the most runs for India this series including a pair of 80s in Melbourne. With veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggling for form, back Jaiswal to lead the way for India at +350 with Marantelli Bet.

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