Australia are on the brink of returning the Urn after a tight finish in Adelaide saw them take a 2-0 lead in the 2017-18 Ashes. England now face a massive task if they wish to retain the trophy heading into the 3rd Test, set to kick off this Thursday, the 14th of December from the WACA.
The WACA has traditionally been the fastest and bounciest wicket in Australia, and will likely reproduce that, with the historic ground set to host its last Ashes Test this week. After an ordinary start to the series, Peter Handscomb will likely be the unlucky middle order batsman who makes way for all-rounder Mitch Marsh, as the Australian selectors opt for a 4th seam option for the pace friendly WACA wicket.
The English XI looks set to be unchanged for the WACA, as the tourists have the luxury of playing spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali at six or seven, allowing them to play four full time seamers. The combination of Anderson, Broad, Woakes and Overton worked well in the second innings in Adelaide and they’ll be looking to replicate that on a bouncy WACA wicket. Ben Stokes was touted as a possible inclusion for the tourists, but selectors have opted against picking the troubled all-rounder.
While it might be quick and bouncy, the WACA wicket has favoured batsmen so far in the Sheffield Shield series, one of them going to Shaun Marsh. In the two first class matches played there, six centuries have already been scored and some monster 1st innings totals have been set. It bodes well for the English, who’s fresh faces in Mark Stoneman, James Vince and David Mallan will be looking to find some form.
TIP: Shaun Marsh most runs (1st innings) - $7 at Sportsbet
Australia is obviously in the box seat with a 2-0 lead, and England will have to start taking risks here just to stay in the series. Don’t be surprised if Joe Root puts himself to three for this match, as the Poms will be desperate to get off to a good start with the bat. Alistair Cook will become the first English player to play 150 Tests, so at the least we can expect a spirited performance from England.
However, with the three pronged pace attack of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood all firing on a pitch that the WACA curator Matt Page has promised will be fast and bouncy, we can’t see the English batting line-up being able to cope. Sure there have been some big Shield scores there this season, but Austrlaian players are used to the pace and bounce and we feel the curator might have added a little extra for the upcoming Test.
Pat Cummins has been the best Aussie quick at extracting bounce out of pitches in the early Test matches so at $4.33 we think he’s great value to lead the charge in the first innings.
TIP: Pat Cummins most wickets (1st innings) - $4.33 at Ladbrokes
The $1.50 fot the Aussies is the shortest price we’ve seen all summer and while the English came agonisingly close to pinching the Adelaide Test, we can’t see any value in them here. Back the Aussies to return the Urn here.
TIP: Australia to win - $1.50 at Ladbrokes
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