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Although Australia were red-hot favourites heading into this crucial Ashes series, few could have predicted the extent of their dominance. It’s taken the hosts just six days of cricket to earn a commanding 2-0 lead, with England seemingly incapable of providing a response.
The first test felt as if it was over before it had really begun, with fewer balls bowled in this contest than in any other Ashes clash since 1888. Batsmen fell like dominoes on a crazy opening day, as 19 wickets tumbled at Perth’s impressive Optus Stadium.
However, Travis Head took control of the second innings with a masterful knock, chalking up 123 runs at a strike rate of almost 150 to make a colossal dent in England’s fragile lead. Head’s teammates would waste no time in surpassing the required target to hand Australia an emphatic victory.
The Baggy Greens then doubled their lead in sensational style at the Gabba last week, once again winning with eight wickets in hand. For just the third time in the country’s decorated cricketing history, all eleven of Australia’s batters registered double-digit scores in a single innings.
This ensured they exceeded the visitors’ opening total by some distance, having amassed 511 runs over several one-sided sessions. After England were only able to build up a 65-run lead following their second turn at the crease, the result became a formality.
As well as showcasing their own myriad talents, the Aussies were able to benefit from their opponents’ obvious vulnerabilities. A series of sloppy deliveries, dropped catches, and reckless batting passages perfectly summed up England’s shoddy approach, leaving many commentators to ask whether ‘Bazball’ is still fit for purpose.
As a result of the above, Australia are now on the cusp of retaining the Ashes for a fourth consecutive series, after recapturing possession of the urn in early 2018.
Will Andrew McDonald’s men be celebrating a series triumph before the end of the week, or can England somehow bounce back after a horror start? Here’s how we expect the third test to unfold…..
Australia v England, Tuesday 16th December – Sunday 21st December
Australia vs. England tips
Australia to win the match: 4/9 (bet365)
Mitchell Starc to take 5+ wickets: 8/13 (bet365)
Zac Crawley to score a half-century: 6/4 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Aussie delight
The bookmakers believe Australia will win comfortably at the Adelaide Oval – and it’s not difficult to see why. England’s first test capitulation could perhaps be put down to nerves, a new environment, or the incredulous nature of the match, but there was simply no excuse for their dismal performance in Brisbane.
Few Three Lions representatives came out with any credit, although praise was reserved for Joe Root – who eventually struck a century on Australian soil after 12 years and 29 previous attempts – and Surrey all-rounder Will Jacks, who joined forces with Ben Stokes in the second innings to ensure England at least forced their opponents to return to the crease.
The criticism was already rife following a second disastrous result Down Under, but intensified after it was revealed England would be enjoying a short break in Noosa – a Queensland resort town located over 2,000km away from Adelaide – despite the quick turnaround to the third test. Amidst this intense pressure and heightened scrutiny, it’s going to be incredibly difficult for England to find their form.
History also suggests we should expect further Australian success. England’s last victory at the Adelaide Oval came way back in December 2010, when Kevin Pietersen recorded a majestic double-century to help propel England to an unassailable first innings tally of 620 runs.
The visitors subsequently declared, leaving Graeme Swann to dismiss a succession of Aussie batsmen and clinch a memorable Ashes win. Later on in that same series, Andy Flower’s side thrashed the hosts in Sydney by an innings and 83 runs to keep custody of the urn – remarkably, this remains England’s most recent win in Australia.
Betting tip: Australia to win the match: 4/9 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Australia beat England.
Starc’s lethal streak to continue
After delivering a sequence of dazzling displays in the build-up to the Ashes, it was unsurprising to see Mitchell Starc flourish in the opening two tests.
The New South Wales star produced a scintillating spell amidst the first innings chaos in Perth, registering seven wickets in less than 13 overs to rip through the majority of England’s bewildered order.
Starc went on to claim a further three heads before the conclusion of the match, taking Zak Crawley for a duck before bowling out Root and Stokes in quick succession.
Although he racked up two fewer wickets during last week’s meeting at the Gabba, the legendary seamer may have been even happier with his output after keeping his economy well below the four-run mark.
Michael Neser’s sensational five-wicket haul in the second innings may have somewhat overshadowed Starc’s overall contribution in Brisbane, but this is perhaps the most poignant tribute to his enduring consistency – he’s simply just expected to hit those types of colossal numbers on a regular basis.
Early indications suggest the Adelaide pitch may be more conducive to spin than pace, but expect Starc to be a thorn in England’s side throughout this potentially decisive test match. A return of five wickets is more than achievable for Australia’s prized asset.
Betting tip: Mitchell Starc to take 5+ wickets: 8/13 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Mitchell Starc takes five or more wickets in the match.
Further redemption for Crawley?
In a series where too many English players have demonstrated a lack of spirit and resilience, Zak Crawley’s brave recovery from an abysmal performance in Perth needs to be commended. The Northern Superchargers ace failed to score any runs whatsoever in the opening test, falling victim to the aforementioned Starc during the very early exchanges of both innings.
However, it was an entirely different story at the Gabba. Crawley accumulated 76 runs from 93 balls to complement Root’s long-awaited century, leaving England with a respectable total to work with.
A further contribution of 44 runs was only bettered by his captain Ben Stokes (who scored exactly 50 before nicking one into Alex Carey’s gloves), while Crawley was the only England player to hit as many as six boundaries in the second innings.
Whether or not the Bromley-born batsman should feature in England’s opening partnership may be subject to constant debate, but he undoubtedly showed plenty of character to bounce back in Brisbane. For that reason as much as any other, he may be able to come up with a decent knock in a must-win game for the visitors.
Betting tip: Zak Crawley to score a half-century: 6/4 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Zak Crawley scores 50 or more runs in a single innings.
Australia vs. England odds
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.
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