The series has been won and the urn confirmed, but Australia will look to continue their dominance over England when the 2021/22 Ashes Series arrives in Sydney on Wednesday.
The Aussies have been nothing short of outstanding throughout the first half of summer, and they have hardly been troubled on their way to easy wins in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.
For England, it’s all about salvaging some pride and find the right team which eventually, could lead to success in the test arena.
Australia have opened at odds of $2.63 in Ashes betting here at Neds, while there’s $12 about England. With inclement weather and the pandemic continuing to threaten play, the draw has been a popular target all week and is our $1.62 market favourite.
I’ve previewed both sides and provided my complete The Ashes 4th Test Tips below.
Australia
Barring perhaps two sessions in the entire series, it has been Australia and daylight this summer, and they will take a power of beating again in Sydney.
With Travis Head ruled out with COVID, Usman Khawaja comes straight into the side, and the remainder of the batting line-up holds firm.
The bowling attack has chopped and changed all summer, but it looks likely to be Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in Sydney, with the Goat remaining the obvious selection.
Likely Australia XI
David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (vc), Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
England
It would be easy at this point to shut up shop, cop a 5-0 thrashing and forget that this series ever happened, but England have indicated that they will continue to try and compete, and I am interested to see what they can muster in Sydney.
Bizarre selections and omissions have been the tail of the tape all summer, but a few selections are obvious, and there is no doubt that the likes of Joe Root, Dawid Malan and Ben Stokes will be stepping out in Sydney.
Beyond that, who really knows. The likely eleven that I have outlined below is solely based off what I would do, had I had control of England’s selections.
Likely England XI
Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes (vc), Johnny Bairstow, Jos Butler, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, James Anderson
The Ashes 4th Test Betting
There is still plenty of value to be found ahead of the fourth test in Sydney.
Australia have comfortably won each of the first three tests in the 2021/22 Ashes Series and despite the inclement weather hanging around the SCG, I am confident that they will record another win. Given that they won the MCG in less than two and a half days, I believe that they will have enough time to get over the line once more.
Top Runscorer betting has proven to be a lucrative betting for us throughout the series, and there is plenty of value on offer again. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith share $3.50 favouritism to top score for Australia in the 1st Innings, they lead David Warner ($4) and Marcus Harris ($7). Root ($3) leads a familiar market for England, with value around the likes of Dawid Malan ($5) and Ben Stokes ($6).
Pat Cummins is a justifiable $3.25 favourite to take the most wickets for Australia in the 1st Innings, with $4.25 about cult hero Scott Boland. James Anderson’s experience remains a priceless commodity for England, and he is a justifiable $3.25 favourite to take the most wickets in the 1st Innings.
The Ashes 4th Test Tips
Australia have been a class above England this summer, and they can record a fourth win in Sydney.
Pat Cummins delivered a spell for the ages at a crucial moment in the Boxing Day Test, and while he wasn’t the chief destroyer, he was arguably Australia’s most pivotal, and I think that he will take the most wickets in the 1st Innings. I’m confident that Stuart Broad will play a vital role for England following his bizarre omission in Melbourne, and he looks a bit of value here at $4.
Steve Smith is yet to go on with a big score this summer and I am going to stick with him to top score for Australia in the first innings, while Joe Root is a justifiable favourite for England.
Back Australia to Win @ $2.63
Back Pat Cummins to be Australia’s Top Wicket Taker (1st Innings) @ $3.25
Back Stuart Broad to be England’s Top Wicket Taker (1st Innings) @ $4
Back Steve Smith to be Australia’s Top Runscorer (1st Innings) @ $3.50
Back Joe Root to be England’s Top Runscorer (1st Innings) @ $3