We take a look at the 4th Ashes Test between England and Australia which will start on Wednesday 4th September at 8PM. View the odds for both teams as well as our tips and bets for the test match.
When: Wednesday 4th September, 8:00PM
Where: Old Trafford
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Preview:
Not since 2013 has an Ashes Test been played at Old Trafford, a match drawn due to rain despite Shane Watson’s strong 176-run performance.
Steady showers are currently forecast for the opening day of play on Wednesday, as well as the weekend, so don’t be surprised if we suffer a handful of rain delays.
When play does resume though, there are a host of storylines to keep a careful eye on. For Australia, its how will Steve Smith respond to Jofra Archer? Will David Warner make a respectable total? And just how bad is Nathan Lyon’s ankle injury?
For England, the biggest question on everyone’s mind is James Anderson. The teams leading Test wicket-taker bowled 20 overs for Lancashire earlier in the week and is now looking to prove his fitness ahead of Wednesday’s opener.
Perhaps the biggest unknown though is Australia’s opening order, which could hold the keys to victory for both sides. As it stands, Usman Khawaja looks likely to open alongside Warner, but with Smith returning to the side, it’s likely Marcus Harris is the odd man out.
England’s fast bowling ripped through the Australian order in the third innings at Headingley, right before Marnus Labuschagne stepped in with another half century-plus.
Steve Smith can rest a little easier knowing Labuschagne can bear some of the load, and if the pair combine for a big total, England could be in real trouble.
If the World Cup taught us anything, its that Old Trafford is a notoriously slow pitch. The wicket was slammed for being “boring” earlier in the year, which should leave ample opportunity for Australia’s best batsman.
England has plenty of reasons to feel confident, but if it wasn’t for Australia’s own mistakes (and the umpires) the urn would already belong to the green and gold. Australia looks well over the odds at this price, and with added motivation to make up for the Third Test, they are worth backing.
Odds:
Tip: Australia at $2.70
*Odds correct at time of posting. Subject to change
