Australia levelled the 2015 Ashes Series with a commanding win at Lord’s last week, adding extra spice to what is sure to be another thrilling encounter with England at Edgbaston in Birmingham from Wednesday night.
Veteran keeper Brad Haddin was ruled out of the second test for family reasons, and up-and-coming gloveman Peter Nevill’s confident performance has seen him retain his position in the side; Australia’s only change likely to come in the form of opener Shaun Marsh who remains on standby for Chris Rogers, who has been struggling with dizziness.
England have been forced to re-jig their team following game 2’s demolition, removing number 3 Gary Balance for the in-form Jonny Bairstow, who has been scoring for fun for county side Yorkshire.
Will Australia assert their dominance and take a 2-1 series lead in Birmingham, or will England respond to their disappointing effort at Lord’s and return to the winner’s circle?
Australia vs England Head to Head Betting
Having lost the first test reasonably comfortably, Australia continued to drift in head-to-head and overall Ashes betting markets in the lead-up to Lord’s but have understandably firmed noticeably once more after their convincing win.
We’re offering Australia as clear favourite in head-to-head betting markets, but there is still plenty of value to be had at current $1.80 odds for success, while a draw can be taken at $3.65 odds.
England’s bowling attack should be suited to the conditions at Edgbaston, while the addition of Bairstow could prove a masterstroke by ex-pat coach Trevor Bayliss. Solely as a result of their inability to produce partnerships and take key wickets we’re offering England at $4.25 odds to win the third Ashes test.
The Ashes Third Test Man Of The Match
Joe Root posted an impressive century in the first test at Sophia Gardens to claim Man of the Match honours at $10 odds, while devastating Australian number 3 Steve Smith responded to England’s claims he was not up to scratch with a Man of the Match performance in the second test; paying $11.
Smith is widely expected to have a similarly devastating impact on the third test at Edgbaston and remains $10 favourite in Man of the Match betting markets as a result, while Root and David Warner occupy the second line at quotes of $11.
We’re expecting England to show a bit more resistance in Birmingham than they did at Lord’s and Australian captain Michael Clarke to lead from the front as a result. The skipper is devastating at the crease under pressure and offers exceptional value for money at $17 odds to win Man of the Match.
For England to have any chance of success, their pace bowling attack will undoubtedly have to fire and take early wickets, meaning James Anderson ($13) and Stuart Broad ($13) are both worth consideration to claim Man of the Match honours.
Top Australian Bastman
Steve Smith is currently rated $3.75 favourite to be top Australian run scorer in the third Ashes test after posting an impressive double century in the first innings at Lord’s, but Michael Clarke may offer punters the best value for money at current $5.50 odds in the same market.
Clarke has been unable to post a big score in the 2015 Ashes series so-far, and it seems as though he is not far off re-discovering the sort of form that has previously seen him ranked amongst the world’s best.
Top England Batsman
Joe Root has undoubtedly been England’s standout in the first two Ashes test so far this series and remains slight $4 favourite to be top run scorer for his nation at Edgbaston ahead of captain Alistair Cook ($4.50).
Ian Bell returns to play in front of his home crowd from Wednesday and offers great value at $6.50 odds, while Moeen Ali is worth consideration at current $17 odds. The spinner opens the batting for England in the game’s shorter formats and may be tasked with digging his nation out of a hole if the top order fails again.
Innings Of Winnings
We’re offering our special Innings of Winnings market once again for the third Ashes test at Edgbaston; combining a top run scorer bet with that player’s team winning the match for inflated odds!
Steve Smith top scores for Australia in 1st innings and Australia win: $7
Joe Root top scores for England in 1st innings and England wins: $15