Test Match Betting: Sachin can lead India to Sydney success

Test previews / Andrew Hughes / 01 January 2012 /

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Sachin is a solid bet to top score at Sydney

"Those who watched India’s horror show of a tour to England this summer were not surprised by what unfolded at the MCG."

India's last visit to the SCG ended in defeat and an ugly row that nearly ended the tour. Andrew Hughes thinks revenge is on the cards for MS Dhoni's team.

January 3, Australia v India, Sydney Cricket Ground, (starts January 2, 23:30 GMT, live on Sky Sports 1)

Team News
Ryan Harris is fit again and has been added to the Australian squad, whilst Mitchell Starc and Daniel Christian have been released. Michael Hussey has secured his place with a battling effort in the second innings at the MCG and the selectors show no sign of losing faith in Brad Haddin.

India do have options but are unlikely to tinker, given their insistence on playing six specialist batsmen, five of whom are virtually undroppable, and given the fact that their bowlers all performed admirably in the First Test. Whilst Gautam Gambhir, VVS Laxman and Virat Kohli all failed with the bat, it is the junior batsman Kohli who is most vulnerable, with Rohit Sharma his most likely replacement.

Venue and Conditions
Sydney has a reputation of favouring the spinners and this year's track is unlikely to be any different. But the last two New Years Test pitches were also pretty lively on the first day and curator Tom Parker has predicted more of the same. Australia's recent record at the SCG is nothing to write home about. They lost by an innings to England last year and were all but beaten until Pakistan let them off the hook in 2010. The SCG is also a result venue; only two of the last twenty Tests have ended in draws.

Match Odds
Those who watched India's horror show of a tour to England this summer were not surprised by what unfolded at the MCG. Once again, they had failed to prepare adequately, playing just two warm-up matches and it showed as too many of their batsmen showed an inability to deal with disciplined fast bowling and a little lateral movement.

Yet despite their batting failings, they had chances to win the game, having reduced Australia to 27-4 in their second innings. Defensive field settings and some sloppy fielding helped the home side scramble a bigger lead than they should have and another batting collapse sealed their defeat. But Australia's top order looked fragile against Umesh Yadav and Zaheer Khan was deadly with the old ball. There is little to choose between these teams and India are the more appealing betting prospect at [3.6]

Top Australian Batsman
Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey have impressive averages at the SCG, but at bigger odds, Ed Cowan is the selection. He looks a solid batsman in the Simon Katich mould and could consider himself unlucky with his first innings dismissal at the MCG. He is worth backing at [6.4] or higher.

Top Indian Batsman
Rahul Dravid was bowled twice at the MCG, which is unsettling for those of us used to relying on him in the top batsman market and too many of the other Indian batsmen are out of form. So as ever, if in doubt, go with Sachin. It helps that he has an astonishing record at the SCG, having been dismissed just three times in seven innings and averaging 221. He can be backed at [4.7]

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