Could we have an Ashes whitewash on our hands? The Aussies lead the series 3-0 as we head to Sydney for the 4th Test starting on Wednesday. As always, Mr. Cricket has you covered with his full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
Remember, you can head to our Cricket Tips page for betting tips for the remaining Ashes games as well as every Big Bash League game of the season.
Ashes 4th Test Betting Tips
Sydney Cricket Ground, Wednesday 5th December, 10.30am (AEDT)
3rd Test Summary
The Aussies have been dominant for the whole series so far, but the 3rd Test in Melbourne was without doubt their most brilliant display of cricket so far. Bowling first, Australia ripped through the Poms in the 1st innings on a green wicket, keeping them to just 185. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon both shared in the spoils with three wickets each.
In reply, the Aussies were bowled out for just 267. their lowest first innings total of the series so far was more down to the pitch than their form. Marcus Harris played a gritty knock to finish with 76 and keep his spot in the side and for what seems like the first time in years, Warner, Labuschagne and Smith all failed with the bat.
The batting performance didn’t matter at all though, as the Aussies tore through their opponents in the 2nd innings, bowling them out for just 68 as hometown hero Scott Boland finished with figures of 6/7 in his debut Test match. Mitch Starc also picked up another three wickets in the 2nd innings to continue his stellar series, where he leads the wicket-takers with 14 trough three games.
Australia
Predicted XI: Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
The break in between Tests hasn’t come without it’s selection issues for the Aussies. No.5 batsman Travis Head tested positive for COVID so will miss the Test. Usman Khawaja is the likely replacement for him as the two were battling for the final spot in the batting line-up in the lead up to the Ashes.
The bowling stocks is where some other decisions will need to be made. If the Aussies hadn’t already wrapped the series up, I probably would have expected them to take just one spinner into this game. However, with a 3-0 lead, I think they go semi-experimental and include Mitch Swepson. Josh Hazlewood will likely come back into the side as well, which means that Mitch Starc could get a well deserved rest and Scott Boland will unfortunately be dropped.
Getting some Test overs into Mitch Swepson will be crucial for their Asian trip this winter which sees them play away Tests against Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. With Cam Green bowling so well, it also allows them the freedom to play the extra spinners and still have three front-line quicks.
England
Predicted XI: Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Mark Wood, Jack Leach, Dom Bess/Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson
The English players haven’t been hit hard by COVID but their coaching ranks have. They are without a bunch of coaches and net bowlers heading into the Test, so that will severely impact their preparation for the Test. In terms of their top seven, I’m not sure what changes can be made unless they look to the BBL to find some form players in the likes of James Vince or Sam Billings? Unlikely.
I think they go with the same top seven again. Jimmy Anderson and Mark Wood should be the first two fast bowlers picked alongside Jack Leach. The last bowling spot will depend on whether England want to play a 2nd spinner or not, with Dom Bess or Stuart Broad likely getting the nod.
Match Prediction
As much as I’d like to think this is going to be a competitive game, I just can’t see any way in which England can match the Aussies in any department. The one thing that might level the playing field here is the weather. Rain is currently forecast on all five days of the Test. Obviously, we are hoping that changes so we can see some cricket, but it doesn’t look great at the moment.
The England batting line-up could be a bit more competitive on the SCG wicket which usually plays a bit lower and slower to accomodate two spinners. If they are better with the bat, that should lengthen the game which brings the draw into play even more.
From a pure betting perspective, the draw looks the value at $2.05.
