Cricket Betting: Aussies have no choice but to lift in 3rd ODI
Cricket tips 
/ Chris Cairns / 04 July 2012 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market
Lower bounce and shorter boundaries means I fancy Warner as top Aussie batsman.
So that's the end of my 4-1 prediction, but first things first: hats off to this English team.
What I believed would be one of the defining factors in this series has so far failed to materialise - wickets being taken by the Aussie frontline bowlers. Bell, Cook and Trott have done a superb job in setting the innings up to date.
Now, you can never count Australia out, especially when the series is still alive, but I do feel it has been the Aussies who have uncharacteristically blundered in some of their selections and are now chasing their tails a bit, a position that was normally reserved for the English in these time-old battles.
Smith's inclusion in the first ODI and then the change of the batting order in the second, coupled with the reintroduction of Johnson ahead of last summer's incumbents, Hilfenhaus and Pattinson, was strange to say the least.
The Aussies must now settle on a side that will take them through and win the next three matches.
Hilfenhaus must come back in. Birmingham, the next venue, is not a 'thump it in' pitch. There is swing, and Lee and Hilfy must open. I would also promote Hussey ahead of Bailey. Hussey at five, and his knowledge of English conditions means he must play a bigger role in this side. The Aussie batsmen are also guilty of not pushing through to a big score and have to convert their starts.
In this match, watch out for Warner. Lower bounce and shorter boundaries means I fancy him as top Aussie batsman @ Betfair odds of (4.9).
As for the result?
I still fancy Australia. They have not fired yet, and with desperation on their side they need to lift and often this is when they play their best. The thought of another loss means a whitewash is on the cards and that is something nobody in their camp could stomach.
Look for an improved performance: the Aussies have no other option.
Recommended Betfair Bet Warner as Top Aussie Batsman @ Betfair odds of (4.9). Australia to win @ Betfair odds of (1.95).
