I bless the rains down in Manchester.
The rain radar made for thrilling viewing over the weekend and thanks to dismal English weather, the dismal English cricket team will have to wait till 2025/26 to have another crack at winning The Ashes.
The fifth and final test gets underway on Thursday night and it will be anything but a dead rubber.
Australia is still trying to win its first Ashes tour of England since 2001 and the English team that has “dominated” the entire tour will be looking to finish things up at 2-2.
If you followed along with my tips so far this series, you would’ve known the draw in the 4th Test was coming and we are still alive on our 3-1 bet!
I’ve checked the forecast, run my eyes over the markets, here is my preview of the 5th and final Ashes Test.
England Vs Australia
Thursday 27th July 8:00 pm, The Oval, London
My Predicted Australia XI
- D. Warner
- U. Kwahaja
- M. Labuschagne
- S. Smith
- T. Head
- M. Marsh
- A. Carey (WK)
- P. Cummins (C)
- M. Starc
- T. Murphy
- J. Hazelwood
You can’t drop the Bison from this team can you?! Surely not.
After his heroics in both the 3rd and 4th Tests, Mitch Marsh is a lock to play the 5th in my eyes. He is under a bit of an injury cloud – as is Mitchell Starc but if they’re good to go, they’re in my team.
Cameron Green is the unlucky one here, Todd Murphy in for him. Greeny as much as I love him just hasn’t quite had it in this series. He will come good but sitting out this game might do him a heap of good.
Results Markets
There is rain forecast for every day of this 5th Test in London, the most being on Day 1 but I don’t know if it’s enough to rob poor England of another result.
The draw is paying $3.50 which is the lowest it’s been before a Test this series but for me the money is with… Australia. How did you know?
The Aussie’s have already had a win at The Oval on this tour and look like good value for me at $2.75 to make it 3-1.
To the surprise of no one, the Aussie cricket fan working for an Aussie bookie is backing the Aussies.
Back Australia to win at $2.75
Run Scorer Markets
Steve Smith has already scored a century at The Oval this tour and is $4.50 to go again.
I love backing Smudge for triple figures but I’m looking more towards Marnus in this match.
He played a pivotal role in securing the draw for us at Old Trafford and I will be having a crack at him to score a 50 at $2.50.
Both Travis Head and Mitch Marsh’s overs at 25.5 & 26.5 look great in my eyes but I can’t back our openers with any confidence in this 1st innings.
I’ve also talked myself into another play on Smudge to score a century, the fomo is too strong.
Back Steve Smith over 36.5 1st Innings Runs @ $1.83
Back Steve Smith to score 100 in the 1st Innings at $4.50
Back Marnus Labuschagne over 31.5 Innings Runs @ $1.83
Back Marnus Labuschagne to score 50 in the 1st Innings @ $2.50
Back Travis Head Over 25.5 Innings Runs @ $1.83
Back Mitch Marsh Over 26.5 Innings Runs @ $1.83
Wicket Taker Markets
Josh Hazelwood was where the money was for wickets in the 4th Test, despite some questionable bowling tactics from our Aussies.
Hoff stood up and took a 5 wicket haul. Hazelwood is $4.00 to repeat his efforts as the top Australian 1st innings wicket taker.
I’m going to have a crack at Todd Murphy at $6.50.
England are big mad after Old Trafford and I can see them coming out and batting the most aggressively we’ve seen all series.
Murphy’s spin will play on the English’s egos and I’m backing we see a few poms hole out in the deep.
Back Todd Murphy Top Australian 1st Innings Wicket Taker @ $6.50
