Cricket Odds: Australia vs. South Africa First-Test Betting Preview

First the first time in over 20 years, the opening test of the Australian summer won't be in Brisbane, with Australia hosting South Africa at the WACA in Perth on Thursday and both sides looking to climb their way back up the ICC test rankings.

Australia and South Africa have been one and two in the test rankings for much of the past 15 years, but both find themselves in stages of transition, with the Aussies currently third behind first-place India and second-place Pakistan, and South Africa battling in fifth.

In fact, the touring Proteas have won just two of their past 12 tests and come to Australia without their inspirational skipper—AB de Villiers. But they do at least have a recent series victory under their belt, having beaten New Zealand 1-0 at home in August.

They also go into this first test with the confidence that they have never lost at the WACA. They won here in 2008 and 2012 and drew here in 2005. They hold the rare honor of having defeated Australia in consecutive home series.

Despite that record, South Africa go into this match as outsiders at $3, according to website AustralianGambling.com.au, but having been backed from $3.25 when markets opened.

Australia have drifted to $1.98, which seems short for a team embarrassed in their recent series in Sri Lanka, which they lost 3-0.

Australia's best paceman, Mitch Starc, comes into this match under an injury cloud, with a cut knee suffered six weeks ago, while the decision to select South Australian paceman Joe Mennie over Jackson Bird in the 12 raised eyebrows. Mennie could make his test debut, but he is in a battle with Peter Siddle for the final pace spot behind Starc and Josh Hazelwood. Starc is an $8 equal favorite to be man of the match along with the two best Aussie batsmen—David Warner and Steve Smith.

Stand-in South African skipper Faf du Plessis, coming off a century at his most recent test, is also an $8 equal favorite.

The man whom the Aussie batsmen will most fear is Dale Steyn, currently ranked the world's No. 2 bowler. He's taken 11 wickets in his two WACA Tests and is $9.50 to get man of the match honors.

South African top-order batsman Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock are $10.

Those keen on taking the $4.15 on the draw should be aware there have been just three draws in the past 22 years at the ground, taking in 21 tests. However, the most recent test against New Zealand saw both teams compile massive first-inning scores of over 550, which all but ruled out a result.