England vs Australia – Aussies in ascendency as sides head to MCG
Published:It was all looking so rosy for England two Test matches into the Ashes series.
Having saved the draw in Brisbane, England dominated in the second Test in Adelaide and bookmakers were praying for an Australian fightback.
That’s exactly what the bookmakers got and following the third Test in Perth, Australia have regained the favouritism for both the fourth Test and the series.
At 6/4 to win the fourth Test and 6/4 to win the Ashes series, it seems England have it all to do if they are to emerge from this tour with the urn.
And based on history, England’s bowling attack will need to be in top form if they are to stand any chance of winning the fourth Test considering there have been just seven draws at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 53 Ashes Test matches.
Around 90,000 fans will be packed into the MCG on Boxing Day for the first day, and England will have to nullify that support quickly if they are to gain an advantage.
But the good news for England is the last seven Tests at the MCG have ended in four wins for Australia and three for England.
In those last seven Tests, there have only been two scores of more than 350 posted and, like Perth, this could be over in four days.
Australia aren’t dominant in Melbourne and the 13/8 for England to win looks the pick despite Australia changing the wicket at the last minute.
The greenness of the wicket will effectively rule Graeme Swann ineffective despite Shane Warne taking a five-wicket haul on the last occasion the two met at the MCG.
The Mike Hussey wicket is the key to the series for England and Mr Cricket is 4/1 to be Australia’s top runscorer in the first innings.
A £10 stake on England winning the Ashes 3-1 would return £60. New customers can sign up here for a free £10 bet.
