AUS vs NZ Match Prediction & Betting Tips - Dec 25, 2019

AUS vs NZ Match Prediction - Dec 25, 2019

It is not often that you get ten days between test matches and no tour game either. That was, however, the ideal break for the New Zealand bowling attack after losing Lockie Ferguson on the first day in the first test match.

New Zealand is coming into the Boxing Day Test against Australia 1-0 down and with a huge task ahead of it. They will have the services of Trent Boult once more, though, and that should lift their spirits.

Australia does not have very good memories of the boxing day test match in recent years. They were thrashed by Indian last year and had to play out a dull draw against England the year before. Serious efforts have been undertaken to try and improve the nature of the wicket for this match.

Over 70,000 fans are expected on the opening day of the boxing day test match and we are hoping for a very good contest between the two sides.

Australia vs New Zealand 2nd Test 2019 is going to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne starting on the 26th of December 2019.

AUS vs NZ Team Previews

Australia

A win by 296 runs in the first test added to Australia’s dominance in the home season and continued the trend of one-sided matches. Almost each and every member of Australia’s team has been performing to a high level and things seem to be going smoothly.

Justin Langer has said that he is open to playing five bowlers for the Melbourne Test which would mean one out of Matthew Wade or Travis Head missing out. The final call will depend on the surface, though, and we think Australia is not going to take the risk of playing an extra batsman.

Josh Hazelwood is out injured and James Pattinson has been confirmed as his replacement.

That means that Australia will have Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and James Pattinson in its bowling attack. This is a very good attack and is going to be tough for the New Zealand players to negotiate.

We think Pat Cummins is in line to get a good haul of wickets in this match, particularly if there is some grass on the surface.

David Warner, Joe Burns, and Marnus Labuschagne have been prolific this summer against Pakistan and New Zealand. The three of them have been so good that Steve Smith, arguably the best test batsman in the world, is not getting enough time in the middle.

The Australia batting is formidable, especially at home, but it is always a bit susceptible to swing. The return of Trent Boult could test the top-order for sure.

Australia Playing 11

David Warner, Joe Burns , Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, TM Head, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Michael Lyon.


New Zealand

Having Trent Boult in the bowling lineup is a huge relief for New Zealand. Its bowling struggled to have a quick or lasting impact on the Australian batting in the previous match. It did not help that Lockie Ferguson was out injured right at the start, however, the other bowlers struggled as well.

The New Zealand bowlers do not have the pace that the Australians do to be effective in flat conditions. They would be hoping for some grass on the surface to bring in some swing and seam movement. Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Colin de Grandhomme, and Trent Boult will be hoping for better results in this match.

Jeet Raval has been replaced by Tom Blundell at the top of the order and is going to partner Tom Latham. It is imperative that the New Zealand top order get off to a good start. Players like Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, and BJ Watling are all very good but would love to be shielded from the brand new ball just a little bit.

New Zealand has been good with bouncing back from defeats in the recent past. It won after losing a test to Pakistan in the UAE and against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. To repeat the same in the Boxing Day Test would be something special.

New Zealand Playing 11

TWM Latham, TA Blundell, KS Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, BJ Watling, Mitchell Santner, TG Southee, N Wagner, TA Boult.

AUS vs NZ Toss Prediction

The team that wins the toss is going to want to bat first even though there may be some help for the bowlers early on.

Read our guide on toss predictions to learn how we analyze and come up with our tips.

Pitch and Conditions

There is a lot of uncertainty about the pitch that the MSG will serve up. A Shield match was abandoned here less than two weeks ago because the surface was deemed very dangerous. While the strip for the test match is different, the square is not going to change its character in such a short time. The groundsman has also made an effort to leave more grass on the surface in order to provide more help to the bowlers.

We could see some uncertain bounce, help for the fast bowlers upfront, and some sharp turn later in the match. We don’t think the inherent slowness of the wicket is going to change.

Some rain has been forecast for the fifth day but the first four days should be perfect for cricket.

AUS vs NZ Betting Tips

The last time New Zealand managed to win a series against Australia was in the 1989-90 season. It did manage two drawn series in the last decade, although, the only test match that New Zealand has won against Australia came in 2011-12 season. We have to go back to 1992-93 to look for the previous test win for New Zealand.

A rampant Australian team that is hungry for success and looking to climb to the top fo the World Test Championship is not going to be easy to stop.

Bet on Australia to win.

Our Favorite Bets

Any Player to Score A Century in the First Inning: Yes ($1.53)

There have been 13 fifty-plus scores in the last two Boxing Day tests. Four of them were converted to 100 plus scores. The MCG pitch has come into criticism for being lacking in pace and too flat over the last few seasons. The batting wealth on display in both teams makes this a good bet in our opinion.

Steve Smith Total Runs in 1st Inning: Over 50.5 ($1.83)

Today Match Prediction

Australia To Win the Match, 1.34

Bet Tip Here

Who will win AUS vs NZ

Australia 81.4% (201)
New Zealand 18.6% (46)
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