The Sporting Day: The Second Test

Ricky Ponting and the Australian cricket team head to Bellerive Oval this Friday for the second and final Test match against Sri Lanka with the goals of winning the clash in dominant fashion and preventing controversial off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan breaking Shane Warne’s all-time wicket taking record on Australian soil. There were concerns going into the first Test that the retirement of legends Warne, McGrath and Langer would take the shine off the Australian team, tempering the ruthless edge that has made the Australian cricket team one of the most dominant in all of sports. Those concerns were soon put to rest with a merciless clobbering of the lackluster and outclassed Sri Lankan’s. The match was on a downhill run from the moment Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and sent Australia in. It was a costly mistake made by many recent touring captains and was yet again, quite unbelievably, repeated. Sri Lanka had the chance to jump an Australian team deprived of its core yet meekly rolled over and missed their golden chance.

Sri Lanka will be looking for atonement and some glory at Bellerive. They may have superstar batsman Kumar Sangakara back in the lineup as well as most likely fearful quick Lasith Malinga. They will be a team united after the recent comments of opening bat Marvan Atapattu and the want to assist Murali break the record, particularly after his attack on Warne. But it most likely will not be enough. The boys in the Baggy Green have won thirteen Tests on end and the books have them heavy favourites to make it fourteen. Rightfully so. The Australian team outmatches the Sri Lankan outfit in all aspects of the game and will be perfectly suited by the traditionally flat wicket of Hobart. It is tough to imagine the series being tied up.

While the outcome looks fairly certain and match betting fairly dour, the match does not have to be written off as avoidable. For bettors, there is still a match to be played and plenty of opportunity to be taken. Batting head-to-heads, bowling head-to-heads, high opening partnerships, player performance, batsman runs, total runs, session runs. There is plenty available for all.

The man The Sporting Day will be on will be opening bat Matthew Hayden. The Grand Old Man of the Australian top order has a fine record against the Sri Lankan’s and absolutely loves the highway that is the Bellerive Oval wicket. He averages 82.33 at the ground and will be keen to put some runs on the board after being the only batsman not to raise his bat for a half-century in Brisbane. Hayden looked good scoring 43 but will be disappointed he did not go on with it and will be most sour about his silly dismissal. Putting it simply, all the stars have aligned for Hayden here.

He can be bet in various markets. $4.50 is the price at most betting houses and can be snapped up. Portlandbet are offering a refund if your hi-bat bet is dismissed for a duck or is run out so they would be the recommended shop. Sports Acumen have a spread of 94-102 for total Test match runs for Hayden and he can be bought at the 102. Head-to-head bats are where the really heavy bets should come. Centrebet have Hayden at $1.80 to score more first innings than Phil Jaques while Lasseters have him at $2.03 to beat the skipper. Ponting has had a tough time of it at his home ground and there is value in betting against him.

Whenever a Test match is played, there is opportunity for the intelligent punter, regardless of how lopsided the match appears to be.

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