The first three Tests of the 2017-18 Ashes series are now in the books. Australia managed to reclaim the Urn, downing England in the third Test in Perth to take an unassailable lead into the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. It might be a dead rubber from here out but there is still plenty of pride on the line and England will be hoping to avoid a whitewash here. We preview the highly anticipated Melbourne Test and give our betting tips below.
Steve Smith was once again the catalyst in a dominant Australian test win in Perth, scoring a double century in Australia’s first innings to set up the victory. Mitch Marsh was also fantastic in his return to the Test, scoring his maiden century in the long format to guide Australia to a monster 1st innings total.
England displayed their best betting performance of the series in the opening innings of the match, compiling just over 400 runs as David Malan and Johnny Birstow both tonned up. However, after Australia put on 662 in their first innings, the lead of over 250 runs was just too much for the Poms to handle and Australia took a decisive innings and 42 run win.
The MCG wicket is renowned for being one of the fairest in the world and offers plenty to both batsmen and bowlers if they are patient. What we can expect from it is big first innings scores and late spin as the wicket starts to deteriorate.
Australia will only make a change to their squad if Mitch Starc’s bruised heel that he suffered in Perth doesn’t come up. The likely replacement for Starc will be Jackson Bird, who has been in the squad since the start of the season. On the English side, fast bowler and handy lower order batsman Craig Overton will be fighting the clock to prove his fitness after a cracked rib in Perth. If he is unavailable, England could opt to play a front line spinner or bring Jake Ball back into the squad.
Australia start as $1.50 favourites for the Test match, and given their unbelievable form with the bat, particularly Steve Smith, it becomes very hard to bet against them here. The Aussie skipper has already plundered a whopping 426 runs this series at an average of 142 and the Poms don’t even look like getting him out. Seems foolish to back a bloke to make a 100 but in the form Smith is in, $3.50 for him to ton up seems great value.
TIP: Steve Smith first innings 100 - $3.50 at Ladbrokes
If the Aussies can take any sort of first innings lead here, expect them to win comfortably. The MCG pitch should offer plenty to Nathan Lyon on days four and five and with the English lower order failures of late, the Aussie quicks should only need to pick up a few early wickets to make a 100 run 1st innings lead look insurmountable. Back the Aussies to win and take a 4-0 lead at $1.50.
TIP: Australia to win - $1.50 at Sportsbet
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