Antipodean Test Series

Credit: Paul

Australia and New Zealand face off in another 2 Test series in Australia starting on the 1st of December.

Australia will be full of confidence heading into this series after a pulsating series against the South Africans finished 1-1, but the Kiwis will also fancy their chances against a depleted bowling attack.

Australia have this series as a precursor to their main opposition for the summer, India begin their Test campaign on Boxing Day at the MCG.

It is also Michael Clarke's first series as captain on home soil and he will be desperately keen to make his mark at home. He has shown some excellent instincts abroad already and appears a more pro-active skipper than Ponting was, certainly in his latter years.

Australia's batting lineup appears as though it will remain as is for this series as some good innings from Ponting, Khawaja and Haddin in Johannesburg last Test have kept the 'wolves from the door' for a bit longer.

Watson and Hughes will open and Clarke and Hussey add solidity to the middle order. All eyes will be on the bowling departrment however, as a flux of injuries has forced the hand of the selectors to plump for youth.

Out injured are Harris, Johnson, Bollinger and Hilfenhaus plus the 2 most likely youngsters as well, Cummins and Copeland. This leaves Peter Siddle to spearhead the attack with debutant James Pattinson and one of Cutting and Starc as first change.

New Zealand are a much more settled team and appear to have warmed up well against Australia A. Interestingly McCullum, Taylor and Ryder all got tons in that match against a side that included Pattinson, Cutting and Starc.

The Kiwi bowling of Martin, Southee, Vettori and Bracewell plus another seamer is steady rather than spectacular. It shapes as a series that may be dominated by bat over ball, especially considering the two venues, Brisbane and Hobart.

I expect a hard fought series with the Aussies just edging it on home soil, probably 1-0 with the win coming in Brisbane. There is little value there though betting-wise, so let's have a look at the individual series odds.

Siddle at 11/4 looks value to be the leading wicket-taker (remember his hat-trick and 6 for v Eng 12 months ago in Brisbane?) and Clarke at 7/2 has shown a willingness to lead from the front with big scores. For the Kiwis I like Guptill at 4/1 to score the most runs, a quiet unassuming run-getter.