The most anticipated Test series in quite some time has reached boiling point after Alex Carey’s stumping in the second Test. The Aussies have a 2-0 lead, and are just one win away from their first series win on English soil since 2001!
Ashes 3rd Test Betting Tips
Headingley, Thursday 6th July - Monday 10th July
2nd Test Review
Alex Carey’s stumping of Jonny Bairstow was the main talking point out of the second Test, however the 43 run victory was a just reward for the Australians who were in control for four of the five days across the Test.
Despite having the worst of the conditions having lost the toss, and losing Nathan Lyon early in the game, the Aussies survived a Ben Stokes onslaught to secure another famous victory.
While Steve Smith (110), Travis Head (77) and David Warner (66) set up the game for Australia in the first innings, Australia’s bowling attack broke the game open after England were 1/188 in the first innings. Mitchell Starc (3/88), Josh Hazlewood (2/71) and Travis Head (2/17) helped the Aussies take 9/137 to give Australia a crucial 91 run lead.
After Stokes put on partnerships of 132 with Ben Duckett and 108 with Stuart Broad Australia looked in danger, however Australia learned their lessons from Headingley 2019 to pick up the final four wickets for 26 runs to secure the victory.
Ben Stokes’ heroic 155 in the second innings rightfully took the headlines, however Ben Duckett was England’s best batsmen across the match with knocks of 98 and 83. Duckett’s contribution was crucial given Joe Root failed to pass 20 in both innings.
England’s BazBall tactics once again came to hurt them, with some ludicrous batting in the first innings that saw them give up a strong position which was a major turning point in the Test.
England will rue failing to take advantage after winning the toss and bowling on a green deck on day one, in what was a timid bowling performance that gave Australia the upper hand. Josh Tongue (3/98 & 2/53) threatened across both innings, while Stuart Broad kept England in the game taking 4/65 in the second innings.
The biggest concern for England is the form of James Anderson who has figures of 3/226 across the first two Tests, and if England are to mount a comeback in this series, they need Anderson to get back in form.
Australia
Australia will have to make one change after Nathan Lyon was ruled out of the remainder of the series with a calf injury, with youngster Todd Murphy set to take Lyon’s place. Murphy put together some strong performances in his debut series in India, however he will be under a mountain of pressure in the Ashes spotlight.
The first images released late on Wednesday evening show a green pitch in Leeds which may give some temptations to recall Scott Boland. Although Starc was expensive in the first innings, he has to retain his spot after taking six wickets for the match. Starc’s extra pace in comparison to the other Australian quicks proved crucial in wrapping up the tail at Lords, which was an area the Aussies struggled in the first Test.
Australia Predicted XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland
England
Ollie Pope will miss the rest of the series after a dislocated shoulder he suffered at Lords requires surgery. England haven’t named a replacement player in the squad, so it looks likely Dan Lawrence will come into the side at number three. Lawrence will fit into the BazBall style of batting, however he hasn’t set the Test arena alight, averaging just 29 from eleven matches so far in his career.
Given the pitch looks to be green, it’s difficult to see England making any changes to the bowling attack. Joe Root proved more than serviceable and outperformed Moen Ali in the opening Test, so it’s expected Brendon McCullum will go with four seamers again.
England Predicted XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Jimmy Anderson
Match Prediction
Headingley will be at fever pitch on Thursday after a tense finish to the second Test, and it may provide a momentum shift in the series that England need. Ben Stokes’ side has been in commanding positions in both games but have just failed to provide the killer punch when they’ve been in control.
The loss of Nathan Lyon is going to be a major issue for Australia, who has been Australia’s most important bowler over the last five years. With a green pitch on the cards in Leeds, it may provide the tonic for Anderson to return to form and make early inroads in the Australian top order.
Given how much this series has swung in momentum from session to session and day to day, it’s difficult to see Australia winning three consecutive Tests to start the series. With their backs to the wall, BazBall will thrive and keep the series alive.
