Australia v Pakistan Betting – Aussies bank on Ricky Ponting’s fitness

Australia vs. Pakistan: First Test
Melbourne
Dates: 26-30 December

While England are hoping for better things at the start of the second Test on Boxing Day, there will be another major contest going on down under in Melbourne. Visitors Pakistan will be looking to give Australia a good test in their series, and it will be a step up in difficulty of opponents for both of them. Ricky Ponting’s Australia recently concluded a successful series against the West Indies, which was full of excitement and a fracas involving three players, which got West Indian bowler Sulieman Benn banned for two One Day Internationals. Australians Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson were the players involved, who received a slap on the wrist with fines, leading Ponting to call for an improvement in discipline from his men.

Australia won the series 2-0, while Pakistan recently tied a 3 match Test series against New Zealand. Pakistan were a little on the ropes in the third and final test, with New Zealand set at the crease in their second innings, ready to chase down the target they had been set. The game ended in a draw however, when the heavens opened and washed out play. Pakistan probably have at their disposal, the most complete, all round team of all test international sides at the moment. They have strength both in batting and an envious amount of variety in their bowling line up. However they do not always quite pull it together as much as they should, certainly not as often as their bitter rivals, India.

Ricky Ponting, who has four test centuries against Pakistan, is a doubt for the Aussies, after getting whacked on the elbow in the third Test against West Indies. Naturally the Australians are hoping that he will be fit and ready to go, but even without him, they can call on the expertise of Phillip Hughes, which is the kind of quality that England wish they had in reserve. Ponting hasn’t been able to get any batting practice in, but has been participating in fielding drills. The Aussies do have a few injury worries over Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus.

Australia do have the upper hand in contests between the two nations, having won twice as many Test series as Pakistan have when they have squared off. Australia have more than double the amount of test match victories over Pakistan too, having won 24 games to Pakistan’s 11. This series is a match of teamwork and ethics from Australia, against an enterprising, often maverick Pakistan.

Australia vs. Pakistan Series Betting (4 matches)
Australia to win – 8/15 at Boylesports
Draw: 9/2 at Totesport
Pakistan to win: 11/2 at 888Sport

Australia vs. Pakistan First Test
Australia to win: 8/11 at Stan James
Draw: 11/4 at Bet365
Pakistan: 9/2 at Bet365