England vs Australia Prediction & Betting Tips - The Ashes - Fourth Test

Prediction published on 18/07/2023, 05:30  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 18/07/2023 at 06:22 in Cricket Predictions

England will look to level the Ashes series when they take on Australia in the fourth Test at Old Trafford. The series currently stands at 2-1 in favour of Australia, and the fourth Test will get underway on Wednesday. After going 2-0 down at a hostile Lord’s a few weeks ago, England bounced back in fine style to keep the series alive, winning by three wickets at Headingley. Mark Wook was the Player of the Match and put on an excellent display of high-octane bowling, which was much-needed from an England perspective. Harry Brook looked much more comfortable in the second innnings back in his favoured number five role, and that looks set to stay the same here with Moeen Ali promoted up the order to number three. England have already announced the team that will take the field on Wednesday with only one change made, and that is the inclusion of James Anderson, who will replace Ollie Robinson. The momentum is with England, and a win here will set up a huge match at the Oval in a week. 

Australia’s decision to include Mitchell Marsh in the starting 11 turned out to be a stroke of genius. The all-rounder came to the crease in the first innings with his side at 85/4 just 25 overs into the match. However, along with Travis Head, Marsh navigated his side through a tricky period scoring 118 in as many balls to get Australia to 263 in the first innings. Pat Cummins was instrumental with the ball again, bagging six wickets in the first innings, while Mitchell Starc grabbed a fifer in the second. However, the major issue for the Aussies, surprisingly, was in the batting department, with their top order failing to fire in either innings. While they will know that England will throw everything into this match, history is on the side from down under, as only once in over 140 years of Ashes cricket has a team ever come from 2-0 down to win the series. Not to mention that Australia only requires a draw to retain the urn.