Hilfenhaus set to join Johnson on sidelines as Ponting reshuffles
Published:It seems the first Test has decimated Australia’s bowling attack with Ben Hilfenhaus set to be the latest casualty in the Australian team.
It was confirmed today that Mitchell Johnson will miss out on the second Test, but it seems that Hilfenhaus is set to be dropped also so that Australia can accommodate both Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris.
Hilfenhaus is currently the 11/4 joint favourite to be Australia’s top second Test first innings wicket-taker but his potential absence means much better value can be found in backing Bollinger, 3/1, or Harris, 7/2.
Harris is a local and has grown up playing at the Adelaide Oval which could be why Ponting is so eager to draft him into the squad, and Harris’s excellent form in the domestic season means the 4/1 is a potentially huge price.
Meanwhile Bollinger, who has taken 49 wickets in 11 matches, is the only Australian bowler in the top ten of the ICC’s world rankings and only just missed out to Peter Siddle for a place in the first Test.
Having taken six wickets in the first innings of the first Test, Siddle is untouchable and is available at 11/4 to be Australia’s top second Test first innings wicket-taker.
Historically, spin bowling has proved fruitful on the Adelaide wicket and Xavier Doherty will play a crucial role in this Test, but Michael Clarke, who has been declared fully fit after his back problems, has the potential to take a few wickets with his slow left-arm orthodox style.
At 25/1, Clarke is a huge price to be Australia’s leading second Test first innings wicket-taker considering Mark Waugh’s tally of five wickets in the second innings of the 1994/95 fourth Test at Adelaide.
Marcus North also offers a bit of value at 12/1 to be Australia’s leading first innings wicket-taker.
A £10 stake on Clarke taking the most of the first innings wickets would return £260. New customers can sign up here for a free £10 bet.
