Pakistan future in doubt

With the second Test match starting in Kingsmead, Durban this Friday Australia has its hands full according the latest odds across the board. Betfair have South Africa at 2/1 to win with Australia at 13/5 and the draw an outside chance at 6/4.

Despite the predicted second Test win for South Africa, Australia are clear favourites to take the series with odds of 4/5. South Africa is a distant 9/2 with a healthy offer of 11/4 for the draw.

I was quite surprised when I noticed this earlier today especially given the fact that Australia won the first Test in Johannesburg by 162 runs. In a shortened series anything could happen I guess and one thing is for sure – the Boks will be up for revenge after the bowlers failed to take advantage of the visitors in the first innings.

Following on from the terrible atrocities in Lahore today, it will be interesting to see how the players will handle the attack on the Sri Lankan team. Although none of the players sustained any critical injuries others within the party have perished and it is truly a dark day for cricket and Pakistan.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting had this to say in response to the gun attack in Pakistan:

“On behalf of the Australian cricket team I would like to express our deepest condolences to those who have been affected by the tragic events in Pakistan this morning. An act of violence like this is a terrible thing and when it involves those who are part of our cricketing family, players the world over are affected.

The wider cricketing community has been shocked by what has occurred and our thoughts and full support is with those involved.

We have spoken with members of the Sri Lankan team this morning and made them aware we are extremely saddened by what has happened and that our best wishes are with them all. We hope that those who have been injured in these attacks can make a full and quick recovery and return to representing their country soon.”

Only time will tell if Pakistan will play representative cricket in the near future but one thing is certain, no one will tour Pakistan for a number of years – if at all. The only avenue forward for Pakistan is to play at neutral venues, something they have done in the past. We all want to see a strong and committed Pakistan team play cricket and a terrorist attack such as this morning’s should not be the catalyst that sees them suffer.

Going back to Friday’s Test match I can’t see any changes in the Australian batting line-up or indeed the bowling attack, South Africa on the other hand may be tempted to make one or two changes. That said any changes will surely be reactionary as I believe both countries have their best eleven on show at the moment.

Betfair have an interesting side bet in regards to the toss! You can get odds of 6/5 for South Africa to win the toss and bat, 5/1 if they field. On the other hand should Australia with the toss and bat Betfair offer 11/10 on a batting decision and huge 9/1 on a fielding decision. The fielding option will certainly be a tempter for many a punter!