Australia v England 4th Test Ashes betting preview
It’s all square going into the Fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with Australia levelling the series in Perth. Many people had written off Ricky Ponting and his men after their crushing defeat in Adelaide, although victory in the Third Test means that the Baggy Greens are slight favourites at 8/5 (bet365) to win the series and regain the Ashes.
England were odds-on chances to claim their first series victory since 1987, although they appeared to miss Stuart Broad last week and are now out to 7/4 with Stan James to claim an overall victory. Coach Andy Flower was clearly concerned by the way that the team collapsed for 159 runs during the Third Test in Perth, although the positives have outweighed the negatives so far.
England are still odds-on (4/7 Betfred) to retain the miniature urn, although it appears that changes might have to be made before the action gets under way in Melbourne on Boxing Day. Many people will be backing the visitors at 7/4 (Victor Chandler) to go into a 2-1 lead, especially as the pitch will not be anywhere near as hard and bouncy as the wicket in Perth.
Even so, it’s the Aussies who will have their tails up after that 206-run victory and they are slight favourites at 8/5 (bet365) to take a series lead for the first time. We can be sure that the services of Mitchell Johnson will be retained after he demolished the England top order last time out and the fast bowler is the 2/1 favourite with William Hill to take the most wickets for his team.
Shane Watson has been in excellent nick with the bat and he’s a 4/1 chance (totesport) to score the most first innings runs for Australia, although Mike Hussey has been the home side’s leading run scorer thus far and could be a good each-way bet to nothing at odds of 4/1 (Ladbrokes). Captain Ricky Ponting should recover from a finger injury to take his place in the line-up and he’s a 4/1 chance with Paddy Power.
As for England, Ian Bell was one of the few batsmen who covered themselves in glory in the last Test and Michael Vaughan has been among those calling for Bell to be promoted from number six in the batting order, at least ahead of Paul Collingwood. Bet365 are the only firm to offer 6/1 that he scores the most first innings run for England, with others expected to make their wicket a lot harder to take.
Kevin Pietersen is available at 4/1 with William Hill, while Alastair Cook will be hoping to rediscover that magic touch which temporarily deserted him in Perth. The Essex opener is 4/1 with Paddy Power to top score for England, with strike partner Andrew Strauss available at 4/1 (William Hill).