Australia vs South Africa 2nd Test Match Prediction & Betting Tips

AUS vs SA 2nd Test Match Prediction & Betting Tips

Australia will take on South Africa at The MCG. The second Test of the three-match series gets underway at 10:30 local time on Monday 26th December.

Australia

Although they completed a six wicket win inside two days at the Gabba last week, there is still plenty of room for improvement for Australia ahead of this Test. The quick finish to the First Test made it only the second time that a Test had finished in under two days in Australia.

AUS Batting

Travis Head was not only Australia’s top batter in Brisbane but the main point of difference between the sides and ultimately the reason that South Africa were beaten. Head brought up 2000 Test runs as well as taking the Player of the Match Award and he will be full of confidence ahead of this match at the MCG.

AUS Bowling

Left-arm pace bowler Mitchell Starc took his 200th Test wicket during the First Test with skipper Pat Cummins picking up seven dismissals over the two days. Josh Hazlewood is likely to return from injury in Melbourne but he will have to be at the top of his game after Scott Boland took 2-14 and 2-28 in Brisbane.

AUS Form

Australia have won five of their last six Tests and been beaten only once in this format throughout 2022.

South Africa

As expected ahead of the series, South Africa's bowlers were able to cause plenty of problems for Australia’s batters in the opening Test but it was their batters who were not up to the job. Theunis de Bruyn and Heinrich Klaasen are both likely to get call-ups to a team which is desperate for more runs in this Test.

SA Batting

It is now six Test innings in a row without South Africa going past 200 and, against a very strong and experienced Australia bowling attack, it will be hard work for the visitors to end that run in this Test. Middle-order batter Khaya Zondo impressed with 36 not out as part of the second innings total of 99 all out.

SA Bowling

There has never been any doubts about the strength of South Africa’s bowling attack who have picked up wickets against all sorts of batting opposition line-ups in this format across this year. Kagiso Rabada took eight wickets and ended up on the losing side in Brisbane but he will be keen to have another go at the Australian batters in Melbourne.

SA Form

South Africa are looking to avoid their fourth successive Test defeat in this match.

AUS vs SA, Melbourne Cricket Ground Pitch Report

The match will be played at The Melbourne Cricket Ground. We expect a slower wicket than we saw in Brisbane with the pitch offering less assistance to the seam bowlers.

Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds, and match prediction for Australia vs South Africa 2nd Test Match 2022