Cricket Betting: 2016 Australia vs Sri Lanka Third Test
The inability to perform in Asia continued for Australia as they went on to lose the second Test against Sri Lanka. This is their eighth loss in a row in the sub-continent and the Aussies also had to relinquish their hold of the Warne-Muralitharan trophy. It will now be their aim to avoid a whitewash in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka that will be played at SSC, Colombo from August 13th.
Sri Lanka has played very well to win both the Tests and shock a lot of experts. Whilst the tourists have been their own worse enemy, the Sri Lankans have showed a lot of composure and poise to maintain the pressure on the Aussies. However, the chinks in their batting aren’t yet ironed out with just Kusal Mendis showing consistency.
With the ball it’s a completely different story as the trio of Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan are proving to be tough to crack. So much so that their Achilles’ heel of fast bowling wasn’t even required for long periods in the second test. Another slow and dry pitch will be sending tremors in the Aussie camp but it is also an opportunity for them to turn things around and leave Sri Lanka with at least a little bit of confidence.
Though the series is lost, the top rank in Tests is on the line for the Aussies who will also look for some answers to their dismal record in this part of the world. Travis Head has been flown over and entered camp but the chances of his debut are very low. Joe Burns could make way for Shaun Marsh at the top of the order where David Warner has also been poor but is showing some semblance of fight. Usman Khawaja is another player who could find his spot in trouble but he will retain his spot.
Nathan Lyon was expected to lead the attack but has disappointed in both the matches with his lack of penetration. Luckily for Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc is bowling as if he never had an injury break. Jon Holland and Josh Hazlewood have also been nothing spectacular with question marks on their effectiveness.
Warner will be desperate to put some runs under his belt and he should continue finish with the most runs for Australia. Back him at odds of $3.75 with William Hill to be their top batsman.
Starc should continue to shoulder more of the burden and you should back him at odds of $3.25 with William Hill to be the Aussies best bowler.
Herath at odds of $2.62 with William Hill is a safe punt from the hosts to end up as their best bowler.
