Australia v Pakistan Third Test preview & cricket tips – 3.1.24

Australia v Pakistan match preview – Third Test

The annual New Year’s Test is set to begin on Wednesday, with Australia hosting Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Will Australia be able to complete a 3-nil series whitewash to retain the Benaud-Qadir Trophy?

Australia won the first Test in Perth by a commanding 360 runs before traveling to Melbourne for a much more balanced Boxing Day contest. The visitors were measurably better with the ball at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, particularly in their second bowling innings, where they reduced the hosts to 4/16 before Mitch Marsh and Steve Smith resurrected the innings. A better fielding performance from Pakistan may have greatly altered the outcome of the match.

David Warner is expected to play the final match of his Test career on Wednesday in an unchanged Australian line-up. Similarly, Pakistan is also expected to name an unchanged XI for the third Test.

The forecast for the weather in Sydney does not look promising for a full Test match to be played. Although there has been minimal rainfall in the days leading up to this match, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts at least a 40% chance of rain for Thursday through to Sunday. Due to the rules of play set out by the ICC, once players leave the ground, returning to complete the match can be difficult.

Australia v Pakistan top picks & odds

Australia v Pakistan Third Test betting predictions

The Sydney Cricket Ground has not been a happy hunting ground for Australian sides trying to win Test matches. Overall, more days have been lost to poor weather in Sydney than at any other test venue in the country. Although Australia has not been beaten at the SCG since 2011, six of the last ten tests at this venue have resulted in draws, including the last three matches in a row. Based on history and current weather predictions, $4.50 for this match to be drawn is great value with top cricket betting sites.

Recent history has shown that Australia has won the last three tosses at the SCG and batted first. Warner is playing his final Test at his home ground where he averages almost 50 in 18 innings with four centuries and three fifties. Neds is currently offering -120.48 for the opener to score more than 31.5 runs in what may be his final innings in Test cricket is a safe bet.

Josh Hazelwood sits sixth on the all-time wicket-takers list at the SCG, with one of the best averages by any full-time bowler in that time. Hazelwood’s bowling style is well suited to this ground where lateral movement off the wicket can be easier to find than in the air. Further, the nature of the wicket can aid Hazelwood with its variable bounce that makes shot selection for batters difficult. +120 for Hazelwood to take more than two wickets in the first innings is a great value bet with the online bookmakers.

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