England vs Australia – Australia have market support ahead of Test
Published:The WACA hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for England since the first Ashes Test match was hosted there in 1970, and a resurgent Australian side are confident of winning.
For the first time in a very long time England enter an Ashes Test in Australia as favourites (6/4), but it seems Ricky Ponting’s side have enjoyed their nine-day break and the Australian’s are in boisterous mood ahead of the third Test.
There is market support for the Australians, Ricky Ponting’s side opened in the Ashes betting odds at 7/4 but have seen some slight movement and are now priced at 13/8.
England are steady at 6/4 having opened at the same price, but we could see the Australian’s cut further and it wouldn’t be surprising to see England and Australia go off joint favourites for the Test match when it starts at 2.30am on Thursday morning.
The WACA ground is renowned for its pace and bounce which should mean that Chris Tremlett gets the nod for England, but the bowler to watch over the next five days is Mitchell Johnson, despite his poor performance in the first Test.
In three Test matches at the WACA, Johnson has taken 24 wickets and Johnson is 11/8 to take over 2.5 wickets in the first innings, and 6/1 to be the top match wicket-taker over both innings.
It’s been the batsman that have prospered so far in this series but the WACA wicket has always suited the bowlers and the past five Tests have brought an average of 965 runs in total.
Compare this with Adelaide (1213) and Brisbane (1116) and the bowlers will have the biggest impact – all four Australian pace bowlers are 16/1 to win the man of the match award.
A £10 stake on Mitchell Johnson being man of the match would return £170. New customers can sign up here for a free £10 bet.
