History will be made on Friday when an Ashes Test is contested in Hobart for the first time.
Initially slated for Perth, travel limitations earlier in the summer forced Cricket Australia to move the fifth Ashes Test and understandably, beautiful Bellerive Oval was awarded hosting rights.
The cooler Tasmanian climate will make for a unique playing environment, unlike anything we’ve witnessed this summer, while the fifth Ashes Test will also be played with a pink ball under Day/Night conditions.
Australia has dominated the 2021/22 Ashes Series and have opened clear $1.73 favourites in Fifth Test betting, while England, who salvaged a draw in Sydney, are up at $7.50. Generally fine weather forecast in Tasmania throughout the coming week as seen the draw remain firm at $2.75.
I’ve run the rule over both nations and provided my complete Fifth Ashes Test Tips below.
Australia
The Aussies have been nothing short of outstanding throughout the 2021/22 Ashes Series and fittingly, they have already claimed the urn.
They will still however be disappointed with having been held to a draw by England in the 4th Test, and they will be eager to close out the series with a big win in Hobart.
With Travis Head fit, Usman Khawaja having taken his opportunity in Sydney with both hands and Marcus Harris struggling, we’re likely to see a new-look batting line-up in Hobart, while Josh Hazlewood is also poised to make his return to the fast bowling ranks.
Likely Australia XI
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (vc), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
England
The series was long gone and things appeared to be pretty dire again in Sydney, but England managed to salvage a draw in the fourth Ashes Test, and they will take renewed confidence to Hobart under conditions which theoretically should prove ideal for them.
England’s bowlers have been at their best when the ball is moving, which should certainly materialise in the cooler climate, and with a pink ball in Hobart.
Jonny Bairstow crafted a beautiful century in Sydney and was easily England’s best player, but he remains under an injury cloud for this Test after being struck on the hand with the ball.
Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler is also out and has returned to England with injury, and with Ben Stokes also a chance to miss with injury, batting once again looms as the issue for England.
Likely England XI
Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Sam Billings, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson
The Ashes 5th Test Betting
For one final time this summer, I am eager to dig deep into the markets and find the value in Fifth Ashes Test betting.
Australia comfortably won each of the first three Tests in the 2021/22 Ashes Series, they were unlucky not to get there in Sydney and barring any inclement weather, I am confident that they will win again in Hobart.
We’ve managed to unearth a few winners in Top Runscorer betting and there’s more value to be found ahead of the fifth Test. Steve Smith has opened a $3.50 favourite in our Australia Top Runscorer market from Marnus Labuschagne ($3.75) and David Warner ($4.33), while Joe Root once again maintains pretty clear $3.25 favouritism for England, from Zak Crawley ($5.50).
Pat Cummins is the $3 favourite in Australia 1st Innings Top Wicket Taker betting, and leads a fresh Josh Hazlewood ($3.75). As it has been almost all summer, England 1st Innings Wicket Taker betting is a logjam, and sees Mark Wood, Stuart Borad, James Anderson and Ollie Robinson share $3.75 favouritism.
The Ashes 5th Test Tips
First and foremost, Australia will take a typically strong side into the fifth Ashes Test, and I am confident that they will win again.
While he hasn’t been playing terribly, it’s fair to say that Steve Smith is in something of a form slump this summer, and he is yet to record an elusive century. Marnus Labuschagne has looked dangerous almost every time he has taken guard, however, and I am going to stick with him in Hobart. For England, Joe Root remains a justifiable market favourite, and he will simply need to go big if his nation is any hope.
Pat Cummins will spearhead the Australian bowling attack again, but I think that Josh Hazlewood’s hunger to come back into the side and perform suggests that his $3.75 quote to take the most wickets in the first innings looks a bit of value. With the pink ball back in play, I’m going to stick with James Anderson for England.
Back Australia to Win @ $1.73
Back Marnus Labuschagne to be Australia’s Top Runscorer (1st Innings) @ $3.75
Back Joe Root to be England’s Top Runscorer (1st Innings) @ $3.25
Back Josh Hazlewood to be Australia’s Top Wicket Taker (1st Innings) @ $3.75
Back James Anderson to be England’s Top Wicket Taker (1st Innings) @ $3.75
