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Perth pitch looks full of runs
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West Indies' dreadful away record
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Smith 7/2 for century
Australia v West Indies
Wednesday 30 September, 02:20
TV: Live on BT Sports
Team news
Australia are tried and tested. They are a well-balanced, well-drilled unit who have rested key men to be ready for this series.
Steve Smith's regeneration - not that he really needed it - has made him look a million bucks. And there is continued excitement about Cameron Green's emeregence as one of the most notable all-rounders in the world. It's years since they've had his type.
Probable XI: Warner, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Green, Carey, Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon
West Indies have benefitted from two warm-up matches on tour. It is rare indeed for a toruing team to get such game time.
They have used it wisely. Tagenarine Chanderpaul has slotted in to the opening berth alongside Kraigg Brathwaite with good scores while Devon Thomas could be a pick at No 3 after also impressing. And Roston Chase looks likely to pip Kyle Mayers for the all-rounder slot.
Chase's spin probably gives him the edge with West Indies arriving without a full-time specialist tweaker. Jayden Seales, the pacer, could have a breakthrough series.
Possible XI: Brathwaite, Chanderpaul, Thomas, Bonner, Blackwood, Chase, Da Silva, Holder, Joseph, Roach Seales
Pitch report
There have been only two Tests played at the new Perth Stadium. But it has looked like a road - for the hosts at least. They have posted Perth pitch 326 versus India and 416 versus New Zealand.
Going over on Australia runs is likely to be popular and it would be a surprise if they didn't break 400 here. the West Indies attack is durable but it is one which needs assistance from conditions. Perth should be pacy but this isn't a 1980s vintage style attack. Sportsbook go 5/4 that both teams score 250 in first dig.
How to play
This is a mismatch with Australia no better than 1.132/15. West Indies are 14.5027/2 and the draw 17.016/1. The latter price may be of most interest.
From such a big starting point West Indies need to show a modicum of durability with the bat to start getting that down. That allied with Australia taking chunks out of the game by batting big in the first innings suggests a route to a cheeky tarde.
It is very hard to make a case for a Windies win. In their last 15 on the road they have just won three and two of those came against Bangladesh.
Tops value
We're very keen on Smith for runs here after he remodelled his batting technique to be more still and upright. He has looked in fantastc form. But we have to be smarter than taking Sportsbook's 11/4 that he top scores in the first-innings for Australia. Usman Khawaja at 7/2 and Marnus Labuschagne have fine credentials at 7/2 the pair.
This could be a game where we see a couple of Aussie go big. Smith, then, at 6/5 for a fifty and 7/2 for a ton (first dig only) are shrewder plays. Smith is 11/2 for man of the match.
With the ball Pat Cummins is returning six times in the last 13 on top Aussie bowler in first innings. Sportsbook go 11/4.
Kraigg Brathwaite is 3/1 for top Windies bat and that is a bet on win rate. We also like Jermaine Blackwood for a 50 in first-innings at 7/2.