2017-18 Ashes: 3rd Test Betting Tips
The Urn is still at stake, but are England alive and up for it? The 2017-18 Magellan Ashes is at a key point as we move to the third Test at the iconic WACA stadium in Perth starting from Thursday, December 14th. This will be the final international cricket bow for the WACA which adds more context to the game!
A 2-0 lead for Australia means that England have no option but to buckle up and avoid defeat to keep their hopes of retaining the Ashes alive. Can the visitors spring to life or will the hosts continue their dominance?
Can Australia close out the series?
It has been complete domination from the hosts, so far in the series. In the first Test, it was Steve Smith who killed the contest with his superlative batting, followed by some exceptional pace bowling by the Aussie quicks.
Any English hopes of a revival in the Adelaide ‘Pink Test’ were nipped in the bud as Shaun Marsh made a classy first-innings century and Nathan Lyon scythed the English batting to give the hosts a huge lead.
Although England rode on a James Anderson classic to push for a dramatic turnaround, the final-day blitz by Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc was too much for the visitors who succumbed to a 120-run loss.
Australia would certainly want to regain the Ashes in this match itself, which is why they have recalled Mitchell Marsh to the squad, to help share the bowling load of the pace attack.
Can England regroup?
It has been a disappointing and frustrating tour for England so far. Not just because they are 2-0 down, but also because of the off-field incidents marring their credibility. With morale at an all-time low, England need a quick turnaround to keep their slim hopes count!
One huge positive for Joe Root is the fact that his side was not too far from the Aussies and at various points, even dominated them. It is another matter, though, that they were not clinical enough to take advantage.
As Kevin Pietersen put it out, England are struggling because of Alastair Cook’s problems at the top which are perculating down and putting too much pressure on the already-fragile middle-order. They have the ability to make a comeback, but will they?
Stats
This is the last Test at the WACA before it moves to the shiny new stadium. The hosts have a good record here in 43 Tests (W24, D8, L11) but have won only one of the last four (D1, L2) with two heavy losses to South Africa highlighting their problems.
That is no solace to England, though, as they have won only once here in 13 attempts (W1, D3, L9) with their win coming way back in 1978. They have lost in each of their last seven visits to the WACA, and all very comprehensively!
Picks
It will take a huge heart to bet on England, on current form. Back the hosts to win at odds of $1.53 (William Hill).
TIP: Australia to win – $1.53 at William Hill
David Warner is due for runs, big time! On a ground that suits his attacking style, the opener is a good pick to score a fifty in the first innings at odds of $2.37 (Ladbrokes).
TIP: David Warner to score 50+ first innings – $2.37 at Ladbrokes
