The Ashes Fourth Test: 3 Bets to Take

While the Ashes are all but over for England there are still two Tests of the tour to be played. They march on to Sydney where hopes will be on avoiding a series whitewash.

Australia retained the Ashes at the MCG, bowling England out for just 68 in an outstanding second innings bowling performance led by debutant Scott Boland, who took six wickets for just seven runs in a four-over spell that helped complete an innings victory for the hosts.

Let’s have a look at the 3 Bets to Take for the fourth Test at the SCG.

Australia

Australia have not lost a Test at the SCG since 2011 when England won by an innings and 83 runs. The hosts are enjoying a purple patch and the results in the series so far are not by chance. This Australian side have a pool of world-class talent at their disposal, including the world number one ranked Test batsman and bowler in Marnus Labuschagne and Pat Cummins respectively. They also have a strength in depth that only truly great sides can afford which has played a part in them winning the Ashes so early in the series.

England have received plenty of criticism, with the clear message being that their batting lineup isn’t good enough. When you lose by an innings with the opposition scoring only 267 runs, it’s clear the batting needs to improve. The visitors’ average of 18.75 runs per dismissal is their worst average in any Ashes series of three or more matches played in Australia.

Australia’s bowling line-up will prove to be too strong for England once again therefore I can only see Australia winning this match.

David Warner

David Warner has had a fantastic Ashes series compared to the previous one back in 2019 on English soil. He has scored 240 runs at an average of 60.00 and is also the third leading run-scorer in the series behind Joe Root and Travis Head. Warner loves batting at the SCG as he has hit four centuries and averages 57 at the venue.

The opener has been dismissed in the 90s twice in the series so far, with scores of 95 and 94. I’m certain he’ll be motivated to go all the way and score a big one in this match on what is now known as the flattest pitch in Australia.

A Hundred to be Scored in the 1st Innings

A hundred being scored in the first innings could be dependent on which team bats first considering how poorly England have batted in the series so far. Despite me backing Warner to be the Aussies’ top 1st innings batsman, there are four batsmen who’ll feature in the match who average more than him at the SCG – Joe Root (146.00), Marnus Labuschagne (95.20), Steve Smith (74.81) and Usman Khawaja (70.40).

With the SCG known for being a flat pitch and with the quality of batsmen on show (mainly Australia’s), there is a huge chance of a century being scored in the first innings.