Australia vs West Indies 1st Test tips and predictions: Steve Smith to make good start in first match as opener
- Thomas Ridley
- 16 January 2024
All eyes will be on Steve Smith as Australia begin life without David Warner when they take on the West Indies in the first Test of a two match series in Adelaide (2330 GMT)
It's all change for the top of the order for Australia's Test team, as a familiar face takes on the role of opening the batting following David Warner's departure from the Test arena.
Steve Smith put himself forward to take on the role and will open for the very first time in First Class cricket when Australia take on the West Indies at the Adelaide Oval.
This is a full circle moment for Smith, who initially came into the Australian side as a leg spinner, as after this match he will have batted in every position down to number nine in his Test career.
While Smith didn't look in the best of form during the Pakistan series as he scored 198 runs at at 38.8, he has proved throughout his career that he is a man for the occasion and he will certainly be a contender for top runscorer in the first innings.
The hosts looked imperious in their 3-0 series win against Pakistan and should continue that form against a West Indies side which is a shadow of its former self.
The West Indies have not won a Test in Australia since 1997 and they have been in woeful form in the longest version of the game recently. They have a lack of star power and experiecne in their squad, with seven uncapped players travelling down under.
However, the West Indies can rely on the experienced Kemar Roach, who has 261 Test wickets to his name at an average for 27.44.
He could cause trouble for Smith in his first outing at the top of the order and is a good bet to be the West Indies' top wicket taker in the first innings.
Pat Cummins has been in electric form this year, taking 37 wickets in his last 8 Test matches, including a 10 wicket-haul in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne and is a contender to be Australia's leading wicket taker in the match.
However, Nathan Lyon has a fantastic record at the Adelaide Oval and could be a tricky customer on an Adelaide pitch that may offer assistance in the later stages of the match.
He has 60 wickets in 12 matches at the South Australia ground at an average of 25.86 including outstanding figures of 7/152 against India in 2014.
While it may be harsh to rule the West Indies out straight away without seeing the bulk of their squad in Test match action, we can see nothing other than an Australian win here.
Suggested bets:
Steve Smith highest runscorer Aus 1st innings
