Second Ashes Test: England vs Australia day five betting tips
Ben Stokes of England 20 Jun 2023
England need to find 257 runs on the final day of the second Ashes Test. See our suggested bets for day five as the hosts look to produce with the bat.
A barrage of short-pitched deliveries from England meant it was their turn to employ bodyline tactics. For a large part of day four, the full-length ball was a foreign concept.
One can admire the bravery of Nathan Lyon, who came to the crease in the form of a broken man walking. Together Lyon and Starc added 15 runs. Time will tell how important those runs will be.
Going into the final day of a thrilling Test, here are some of our suggested bets.
Australia to win at 2/15
The game looks firmly in Australia's grasp as England lost early wickets in the fourth innings. If you want to bet on an England win at 5/1, you'd be quietly confident that the man for the clutch moments, Ben Stokes, is still batting.
Given the game situation, day five will most likely produce a result either way. Wet weather should steer clear of Lord's on Sunday. In the event that rain joins the party to bring a draw into play, those odds will be at 40/1.
Next man out - Ben Duckett - at 4/5
The left-handed opener has already survived an early LBW scare, which was given out onfield before being overturned.
He's looked more stable at the wicket after that early reprieve. However, Duckett had a further bit of luck go his way when a controversial Starc catch was given not out.
You might be starting to think - how much longer until Duckett's luck finally runs out?
Or will Stokes. who struggled with the short ball in the first innings and has shown signs of that same struggle in the second innings, be first to go at 10/11?
Series correct score - Australia 3-2 - at 9/2
Now might be a good juncture to look at the overall series result after five matches, but at the two-match mark. If Australia win at Lord's, that'll eliminate all series markets that had them winning just one Test.
Given the proactive nature of the contests on the go, we won't likely see a draw this series. England don't want to give an inch. The same goes for Australia. Bet on England to get things right at some stage, but not right enough for a series win.
There's also Australia 3-1 at 11/2, England 2-1 at 80/1 and other long odds available.
