The Summer of Cricket continues when Australia and Pakistan clash in the famed Boxing Day Test at the MCG beginning Tuesday, December 26th.
Australia took a popular 1-0 lead in this three-match series with a comprehensive victory in Perth, and they take all of the confidence and momentum into this crucial Test match.
While the conditions in Melbourne typically vary greatly from those in the west, Australia are tried and true on their home decks, and they have opened clear $1.20 favourites in Boxing Day Test match betting while at publish, there is $9 about a Pakistan upset.
Check out all of my thoughts and 2023 Boxing Day Test Tips below.
Australia
In my opinion, there wasn’t really a weak link in Australia’s side over in Perth and barring any sort of injury, the same XI will almost certainly be selected for the 2023 Boxing Day Test.
David Warner silenced his critics with an impressive 164 in the first innings, playing a key role in Australia taking control of the Test Match early.
He was ably supported by the likes of Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith, along with Man of the Match, Mitch Marsh, who impressed with both bat and ball.
If there was one player who underperformed, it was definitely Marnus Labuschagne, but given the effort produced by literally everyone around him, the stage really is set for him to recapture a little bit of form without added pressure.
Bowling wise, Mitch Starc responded to a somewhat disappointing first innings performance with 3 wickets in the second innings while the GOAT, Nathan Lyon, took his 500th Test wicket.
The Aussies look good and they can cap an enormous 2023 by winning the Boxing Day Test.
Pakistan
All things considered, I actually didn’t think that Pakistan were awful, at least on the first three days of the Perth Test.
They’ve brought a relatively inexperienced side to Australia this summer, but they have been a competitive nation all up for a few years and the two debutants they fielded in Perth, Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad, really did perform with the ball.
Their top order does look sturdy, but they failed to score runs in an efficient manner in Perth and that really does need to be seen to if they are any chance of competitive effectively in Melbourne.
Captain Shan Masood and selectors elected not to pick a full-time, established spinner in Perth and that is one change likely for the Boxing Day Test.
Boxing Day Test Betting
There is a wide variety of Boxing Day Test betting markets available this week, and plenty of value to be found.
Highest Runscorer betting proved to be a lucrative option for both nations in the Perth Test, likewise other markets like Top Wicker Taker, Man of the Match and Dismissal markets.
Steve Smith looked to be finding his groove in the second innings in Perth before a contentious end to his innings, and he has opened a $4.33 favourite to top scorer for Australia in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test ahead of Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja, currently tied on the second line at odds of $4.50, while first Test Top Runscorer, David Warner, looks value again at $5.50.
Babar Azam did not make the impression expected in Perth, but the Neds bookies have held firm with him as a $4 favourite to top score for Pakistan in the first innings, ahead of captain Shan Masood ($5) and openers, Adbullah Shafique and Imam ul Haq ($5.50 each).
Smith has also opened the $7 favourite in Man of the Match betting ahead of Labuschagne ($7) and Khawaja ($9). Reigning Man of the Man, Mitch Marsh is up at odds of $11, while Babar Azam is the $15 top elect for Pakistan.
2023 Boxing Day Test Tips
Back Australia to Win @ $1.20
Back Steve Smith to be the Highest Runscorer for Australia in the 1st Innings @ $4.33
Back Babar Azam to be the Highest Runscorer to Pakistan in the 1st Innings @ $4
Back Mitchell Starc to be Australia’s Top Wicket Taker in the 1st Innings @ $3.50
Back Shaheen Afridi to be Pakistan’s Top Wicket Taker in the 1st Innings @ $3.25
Back Steve Smith to be named Man of the Match @ $7
