Test Cricket - Australia vs. Pakistan

In what is their last chance to salvage some pride in the test series, Pakistan have once again let Australia off the hook in the third and final test at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

At the close of play on day one, the home side are 3-302, a far cry from the 3-80 they found themselves in at one point. Having survived a crashing Umar Gul bouncer to the side of the head and a dropped catch, Ricky Ponting was the chief destroyer combining with Michael Clarke in an unbeaten stand of 231. At stumps, Ponting was 137 not out, his 39th test century, and Clarke unbeaten on 111.

After such a commanding performance on day one, unsurprisingly Australia are firm ($1.55) favourites with TAB Sportsbet (NSW) to take out the test match and claim a 3-0 clean-sweep of the tourists. A draw is paying $2.95 and a Pakistan win $11.

In the special markets, Michael Clarke to score over 137.5 runs is paying $1.45, and under 137.5, $2.60. Meanwhile, for Ponting to score of 169.5 runs, the odds are $1.55, and under 169.5, $2.30.

Betting jargon explained #22

Dead heat Rule - When 2 or more runners finish together and cannot be separated by the judge after consulting the photo finish.

Wellington Phoenix vs Brisbane Roar Preview plus match odds for Hyundai A-League Round 22

Saturday, January 9
Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar, Westpac Stadium, 5pm (EDT)

While the Phoenix are yet to to record a victory against the Roar, they are unbeaten at Westpac Stadium in 14 games and unsurprisingly have been installed as slim favourites (2.20) heading into Saturday night's encounter.

This is a tough trip for the Roar (3.00), who, down on luck after conceding 5 goals against the Gold Coast will also be without the services of their inspirational skipper Craig Moore and will come up against a Wellington side high on confidence after a convincing 2-0 win over Central Coast.

Paul Ifill continues to impress and in Adrian Caceres they have a player who can provide a spark off the bench when needed. The Phoenix should take the 3 points, but as is often the case with the Welllington side at home, a draw (3.30) is also a likely occurrence.

Other round 22 matches and odds:

• Central Coast*(1.75) vs. North Queensland (4.50), draw (3.40)
• Gold Coast* (1.70) vs. Adelaide United (4.75), draw (3.45)
• Newcastle* (2.70) vs. Melbourne (2.40), draw (3.30)
• Perth* (2.75) vs. Sydney (2.35), draw (3.35)
  

*Denotes the home side.

Betting jargon explained #21

Data Mining- Searching through a large volume of statistics to find profitable situations to bet on in the future.

Hussey out to save Australia's blushes

Australia have fought back against Pakistan on day four of the second test at the SCG, thanks in no small part to an unbeaten and timely century from Michael Hussey.

At last check, the hosts who lead the series 1-0, are 8/378 with Hussey on 131 and Peter Siddle 38, that's a lead of 172 runs over Pakistan's first innings score of 333. If the Baggy Green's can push that lead-out to over 200 runs, this game could be all on with a day to play.

As it stands, TAB Sportsbet (NSW) have Pakistan as $1.53 favourites to win the test Head-to-Head, with an Australian victory paying $3.35 and a draw $8.00. As for the special markets, for Hussey to score over 150.5 runs the TAB are paying $1.75, while a score under 150.5 is $1.95.

The Smart Punter returns

The team here at The Smart Punter would like to extend the compliments of the season to all of our many readers. We ourselves have just returned from our Christmas/New Year break and we look forward to once again being your one-stop-site for the latest information on sports betting tips, news and information from Australia and around the World.

Stay tuned for more to come.

Australia vs. West Indies, First Test

The Australian side to play the West Indies in the first Test in Brisbane starting today has been named:

Ricky Ponting (c), Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Michael Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus. 12th man: Doug Bollinger.

• Head-to-head the two nations have played each other in 105 Tests with Australia winning 50 of those matches and the West Indies 32. Of the remaining fixtures, 22 draws have resulted as well as 1 tie.

• Of the 23 Test series played Australia has won 13, the West Indies 8 and there have been 2 draws. Of the past six Tests, Australia has won 5, as well as 14 of the past 16.

• In the past 10 years the West Indies have only defeated Australia on one occasion - the fourth and final Test of the 2003 series in the Caribbean. Australia have won the past four series, and six of the past seven.

At The Gabba, Brisbane
• Australia have won their past five Tests.
  
• Australia are undefeated at the Gabba in their past 20 Tests, winning five and drawing five. They last lost at the Gabba in 1988, against West Indies.
  
  
West Indies At The Gabba
• Tests played 11; Australia won 5; West Indies won 2; 2 draws; 1 tie
• Australia and West Indies played the first tied Test in history at the Gabba, in the first Test of the 1960-1961

Going into this first Test of the Summer, it is very hard to see anything but another Australian victory, and unsurprisingly TAB Sportsbet has installed Australia has firm $1.22 favourites compared to the $13 West Indies. A draw is paying $5.50.

The match is scheduled to begin at 10:00am.