Fifth Ashes Test: England vs Australia - day three betting tips
- Jonhenry Wilson
- 29 July 2023
Planet Sport takes a look at some of the best bets as the fourth Ashes Test reaches its third day.
The English bowlers combined well to control the Australian run rate, while managing an even spread of the wicket-takers, on day two in London. The Australians scored at a run rate of 2.85.
Steve Smith was the standout in the Australian innings with his 71 runs. The visitors were bowled out for 295 to lead their hosts by the small margin of 12 runs. The last wicket of the visitors' innings was also the last play of the day.
See our suggested bets for Saturday.
Ben Duckett to score over 49.5 at 11/4
The left-handed opener scored a run-a-ball 41 in the first innings. Duckett has performed well since his Test rejuvenation under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. He averages almost 54 at a strike rate fractionally under 90.
Given his attacking approach, you may fancy his aggression to get the better of him in falling cheaply. The odds of him scoring under 49.5 are priced at 2/9.
Zak Crawley not to score a 100 at 1/40
The message from coach and captain to the right-handed opener is to play a special knock to swing the momentum of the contest. However, for all the good that this approach brings, it also brings with it inconsistency at times.
Two of his better knocks in England have come against Pakistan (267) and Australia (189 in the previous Test). If you think another dominant innings is around the corner, then the odds are 17/2 for Crawley to surpass the century mark.
England to score under 299.5 at 21/20
Stokes' men have fallen short of the 300-run mark on four occasions in this series. However, even a score under 300 could make the final Test a thrilling watch. The highest number of runs chased in the fourth innings of a Test match at The Oval is 263.
A total exceeding 299.5 runs (at odds of 4/6) could put the match firmly in the grasp of England's hands.
