2015 Ashes: England vs Australia 3rd Test Preview
England will try to get their confidence back as they tackle the confident Australians in the 3rd Test starting at Edgbaston on Wednesday – which we are looking at in our cricket betting tips.
The ground is best known for being pivotal for England’s resurgence in the 2005 series, highly regarded as one of the best. The Edgbaston Test saw the twisted ankle of Glenn McGrath miss the match and England regrouped to a very close two-run victory that gave them a foot hold in the series. And the rest, as they say, is history.
England will dearly love another twist in the tale to get back in the series. Not that they are out of it because the score reads 1-1 as we stand. But, the nature of the Lord’s loss and the resurgence of the visitors sound ominous for the hosts.
The struggling Ian Bell will feel lucky to be still in the team. He should feel all the pressure as he slots into the important number three position for the hosts. Jonny Bairstow is drafted into the team but should be nervous to make an immediate impact.
Bairstow comes into the game on the back of some impressive runs in County cricket and England will hope he can recreate some magic. He looks to offer some value at odds of $6.50 to be the England’s leading 1st innings run scorer at CrownBet with their bonus bet promotion.
Australia come into the match on the back of a dominating performance. They looked clinical throughout the four days and would be itching to dish out another virtuoso performance. Peter Nevill has made the keeping position his own with a good outing and should continue to do well.
The Australians are not without problems of their own. Captain Michael Clarke (pictured) is struggling to impose himself, but this may be the crucial Test match for him to stand up and lead from the front.
Clarke is offered at odds of $6.00 at Sportsbet to lead Australia’s first innings run scorers with money back up to $100 if he scores a 50 and the bet doesn’t win.
Adam Voges must be feeling the burden of lack of runs while the availability of Chris Rogers will be music to Clarke’s ears because the runs scored by the veteran at the top of the order are crucial. But if the selectors do not want to gamble on his fitness, Shaun Marsh would be an ideal replacement.
An aggressive Australia will surely be a headache for Trevor Bayliss and England. Mitchell Johnson looked to be getting back to his menacing best on a flat deck in the last Test. That explains the second thoughts in the England camp on having a livelier track for this match. However, a more ‘English wicket’ should bring Anderson into the equation who has been disappointing so far this series.
A lot will rely on Anderson’s ability to create some havoc in the Australian batting line up and give the Poms a chance to upset the Australian momentum. Australia are short-priced $1.85 favourites at William Hill which doesn’t offer a lot of value, but they look good to claim the win and take a 2-1 lead in the series.
