The Ashes Third Test: Match Prediction

Before the commencement of the much-awaited Ashes Test series, the host Australia were the red-hot favorites because Aussies are playing in favorable conditions and right on cue the team has taken a 2-0 lead after the first two Test beating the visiting England team convincingly.

The Australian cricketers outnumbered the England team in all the departments as they won the first Test by 10 wickets and the second Test by 120 runs at Brisbane and Adelaide respectively. England was good in patches as they bowled some tight lines in the second innings of the second Test; however, their batsmen need to buckle up and score some big runs if they are to make a comeback in this Ashes Test series.

Team News

Australia:

The home team will be delighted that openers have scored runs in the first two matches and they will once again bank on them to provide them with good starts. Steve Smith, the captain of the Aussie team have been consistent for the last few years playing big knock. The veteran Shaun Marsh also played a magical knock of 126 runs in the first  innings to help his team put a good total on the scoreboard.

The bowlers has been in the forefront of Australia, led by the left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc as he picked up a fifer in the second innings of the second Test to restrict England. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon have been on mark and has struck whenever needed. However, Jose Hazlewood has been a bit wayward but he has shown some glimpses of form in the second match and can play an important in the third Test at Perth.

Predicted XI: David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Steven Smith (c), Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb,  Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

England:

There is a lot of scope for the visitors to improve as the experienced opener Alastair Cook has once again failed to impress as his poor run in the Ashes continues. Mark Stoneman, who is relatively a newcomer in this side will also be keen to put a foot forward and help his team cause. Joe Root, who is considered to be one of the best batsmen in the world currently hasn’t been able to live to his expectations as he has failed to convert the starts. To make a comeback in this series, England will need to come good as a batting unit to turn things into their favor.

The England bowlers did a good job in the second innings as they bundled out Australia for a mere 138 runs in the second innings as James Anderson and Chris Woakes did the job picking up 5 and 4 wickets respectively. Right-arm fast bowler Stuart Broad also needs to come forward to keep the Australian batsmen in check.

Predicted XI: Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root, Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Jake Ball, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Prediction:

Leading the five-match Ashes series 2-0, Australia will go into the third match as outright favourites. It will take a lot of courage for the England side to create an upset and try to make a comeback in the series.