Australia vs West Indies Second Test predictions: Labuschagne can steer Aussies to series win

- Australia have lost just one of their eight Test matches in 2022
- Marnus Labuschagne scored 308 runs in the First Test victory
- Recommended bet: Labuschagne to be Australia's top first-innings batter

The Adelaide Oval is the venue for the Second Test between Australia and West Indies, with the hosts taking a 1-0 lead into the final match of the series.

Australia claimed a 164-run success in Perth and despite a battling display from the Windies, the home side looked a class above their opponents.

There were first-innings double centuries for both Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, who also went on to score a ton in the second innings.

Despite a decent batting performance from the tourists in the second innings, making 333 all out, it could be a similar story in Adelaide in the second and final Test.

It is a tough task anyway for the Windies but it is made even harder by the fact that this is a day-night encounter and the conditions would heavily favour the hosts.

Team news

Australia are waiting for news on the fitness of their captain, with Pat Cummins unable to bowl in the second innings in Perth.

The fast bowler picked up a quad injury but he was able to return to the field and Cummins is said to be upbeat about his chances of playing the final Test.

Just in case the skipper does not make it, the hosts have called up two extra bowlers. Queensland's Michael Neser and Western Australia seamer Lance Morris as cover — the latter has been tagged the fastest bowler Down Under.

Scott Boland, who has 18 wickets in his three Tests to date, is already part of the squad and is another option for the selectors.

Meanwhile, West Indies have had a number of injury issues to contend with in the lead up to the Second Test.

Kemar Roach, Nkrumah Bonner, Jayden Seales and Kyle Mayers are all fitness concerns, but the tourists are hopeful that at least a couple of the quartet will be able to play a part.

Pace bowler Roach is said to be making good progress from a hamstring problem, while all-rounder Mayers could play as just a batter.

Bonner looks set to miss out due to concussion and a knee injury for Seales could see him sidelined — uncapped Marquino Mindley and Anderson Philip could be in line for call ups.

Stats

This is Australia's ninth Test of 2022 and they boast an impressive record, losing just one of the previous eight, recording four wins and three draws.

Their recent record in Adelaide also suggests they will be difficult to stop, with just one red-ball defeat and nine wins in Australia's last 11 Tests in South Australia.

It has also been a venue of struggle for the tourists in recent times, with the Windies playing four Tests since 1994 — losing three times and claiming one draw.

Predictions

It is hard to see past an Australia win, highlighted by the 1/10 odds with LiveScore Bet for another home success, so it is worth considering other markets on offer.

Labuschagne is clearly in great form going into the second Test and it is worth noting that the Queenslander was in the runs the last time Australia were in five-day action in Adelaide.

He scored 103 in the first innings of the 275-run victory over England, before making 51 in the second innings to help him claim the Player of the Match award.

Labuschagne is 3/1 with LiveScore Bet to be Australia's top first-innings batter, whilst another player to consider to be amongst the runs is Travis Head.

Head plays his domestic cricket at the Adelaide Oval and comes into this Test off the back of 99 in the first innings in Perth. The left-hander is available at 7/1 to be the hosts' top first-innings batter and can be backed at 14/1 to be named Player of the Match with LiveScore Bet.