THE ASHES THIRD TEST: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews The Ashes Third Test between AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND including a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Australia v England 3rd Test
MATCH OVERVIEW:
It’s Boxing Day Test time at The Ashes! Usually this would be the highlight of the series, around 90,000 enjoying the cricket at the MCG and while that will still be the case here, you have to say this series is turning into a very one-sided affair. England have had some very tough times in Australia, but this series already looks like a 5-0 loss to forget. We saw some nice in-running moves for trading in the first two Tests on BETDAQ Betting Exchange, but Australia have basically hammered England so far.
At one stage in the 2nd Test, England looked like they could get a big target. They were 150/2 in their first innings and the draw was trading odds on. Within a few overs, Root and Malan were out, and it was a case of when Australia were going to win rather than will they win. The England openers have been very poor – I seen a stat showing Rory Burns has a lowest average of any England opener who played that many Tests. Their middle order is so weak after Root too – when the captain gets out, it seems the rest follow. Buttler hung around well in the second innings to bat for over 200 balls trying to save the Test, and perhaps that might help his form for the rest of the series.
As I said prior to the second Test, it’s just so difficult to see how England win a Test. They need a collapse from Australia, and the England bowlers look unlikely to make that happen too. Root has taken more Test wickets than Broad in the year, which is remarkable even with Broad getting older. I can see another one way traffic win for Australia here.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
The last Test here was the Boxing Day Test last year when India toured Australia. India actually won that Test in a series they won, Australia batted poorly to be all out for 195 and 200, while India managed to post 326 in their first innings. We could see similar scores here, except England with the lower scores. We should get a “proper Test wicket” here you’d imagine, by that I mean there’s something on offer for everyone and we should get a very good game. I can’t it the wicket spinning or seaming all over the place, and it should be a very pretty contest between bat and ball. If you are Australia, you want the wicket just to be a pretty normal wicket and then the best team wins – which is Australia!
RECOMMENDED BET:
As the series goes on, the odds are coming down for Australia. However, I still feel that they offer value at 1.44 here. England don’t have much going for them. They desperately need Stokes to improve and join the level of Root and Malan but it’s been a tough year for Stokes. The England openers are such a huge problem too – it just starts the innings so poorly for England and they’re under pressure straight away. I can’t see that changing, and Australia are just full of confidence at the moment. Even without Cummins, the bowling was superb. Australia win quite easily again for me here.
The Edge Says:
Four points win Australia to beat England at 1.44 with BETDAQ Exchange.
View the market here -> https://bit.ly/BDQAusEng3
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
Although the series has been quite one sided when you look at the margin of victory, there have been some good trading opportunities. The market has moved nicely against Australia when Root and Malan have put partnerships together, and that is definitely something to keep in mind as we go into the 3rd Test. Don’t get glued to the idea of just looking for trades on Australia – there will be times to support England and the draw too. I wouldn’t be too confident on England, and I would lower stakes when looking for trades when Root is batting. I’d definitely want to be against the England openers, as they have looked so poor and their confidence must be shot. The England bowlers have also looked weak, and when the Australian batsmen get settled they can get a big score here, whether they bat first or second.
