It’s not quite a must-win Test for Aussies but a win at Old Trafford would be quite a relief for Australian Cricket fans. It was a very tense finish at Headingley but in hindsight, our Aussie’s probably were a 100 runs short of truly being competitive.
It’s been an extended break in between the third and fourth test, hopefully that recharge and reset is just what our Aussie’s need to get the job done in the back end of this series. Despite being up 2-1 our batting has left a lot to be desired. It’s never easy facing the English bowlers but you’d expect our top order to have done better so far in this series.
For the first time this Ashes tour, our Aussie cricketers are the betting underdogs which is where we love to be! I’ve run my eyes over the scorecards & checked the forecast. Here is my preview of the 4th Ashes Test.
My Predicted Australia XI
- D. Warner
- U. Kwahaja
- M. Labuschagne
- S. Smith
- T. Head
- C. Green
- A. Carey (WK)
- P. Cummins (C)
- M. Starc
- T. Murphy
- J. Hazelwood
I’ve been a staunch David Warner defender over these last few years but it is getting tougher and tougher to go out to bat for him when he isn’t going out to bat for us.
David Warner has scored just the one century in the last three years, granted it was a double century but in Warner’s last three years he averages 28.17 which is quite frankly, unacceptable for an opening batsmen.
Not only has he struggled to score runs in recent years but in 107 Tests, David Warner has never scored a Test Century in England.
Many batsmen have been dropped for a lot less and I don’t believe he will be dropped. I don’t believe Marcus Harris or Matt Renshaw are the answer to our questions up top. If it were up to me, I’d drop Warner, open with Travis Head & keep Mitch Marsh in.
I don’t believe this will happen but Australia will need to start looking toward the future, we’ve carried Warner for quite some time now and while he has looked good in patches this series, he’s just not doing enough.
Bowling wise, I hope we trot out our big 3. Scott Boland has been rather ineffective so far and I dont believe we will be bringing in Michael Neser despite the fact he scored 176* for Glamorgan and has taken multiple 5fa’s (and a hattrick) in this county season alone.
Results Markets
Rain is forecast for the entire week in Manchester, with the draw currently sitting at $4.33. I think it’s worth having a little nibble on.
Australia has a pretty up and down record at Old Trafford since 1884. 31 Tests, 9 wins, 7 losses and 15 draws.
As I mentioned above, our Aussie’s are slight underdogs heading into this one. $2.50 compared to England’s $2.25.
I’ll be having a look at the draw and will be including the Australia/Draw double chance @ $1.57 in my results multis this week.
Back The Draw @ $4.33 or the Australia/Draw Double Chance @ $1.57
Runscorer Markets
Australia won at Old Trafford last series thanks to a 211 & 82 from Mr Steven Peter Devereux Smith. We’re going to need another huge effort from Smudge if we want to win this Test match and to the surprise of no one. He’s who I’m backing the heaviest to score some runs.
It’s bloody hard to make a case for many of our top order at the moment, Usman is scoring at a snails pace, I’ve said enough about Davey, Marnus is playing with a huge amount of arrogance and just looks out of touch.
Smith over 37.5 1st Innings runs @ $1.83, Smith First Innings 50 @ $2.20 and Smith 1st Innings century @ $4.50 is what I’m having a crack on for this test.
Back Steve Smith Over 37.5 1st Innings runs @ $1.83,
Steve Smith First Innings 50 @ $2.20
Steve Smith 1st Innings century @ $4.50
Player Wicket Markets
It’s hard to look past Pat Cummins once again for the top Aussie wicket taker. Old Trafford favours the seam bowlers and not only is he Mr Reliable, but he’s the one dishing out overs.
Mitchell Starc I believe is locked in to play but I don’t know who our 3rd seamer will be which makes it hard to back anyone but Pat.
Our skipper is $3.25 for Top Aussie 1st Innings Wicket Taker and that’s where my money will be.
Back Pat Cummins Top Australian 1st Inning Wicket Taker @ $3.25