England went into the current Ashes series on the back of victories over both South Africa and the West Indies and preparing to go to battle with an Australia side who were supposed to have weaknesses - even in their strongest XI - but with the urn having already been lost, Joe Root's side face the prospect of suffering a whitewash defeat Down Under for the second series in succession. England have endured as many problems off the pitch as they have on it and heading into the fourth Test match in Melbourne - which begins at the MCG on Boxing Day - Root and his side must find a way of regaining some much-needed respectability from a series which has descended into farce.
As you would expect, the cricket betting odds given by 888sport for this match are heavily in favour of the Baggy Greens and even at 1/2, there is value in backing the hosts to run out winners at one of the most iconic venues in sport. Even though England ended the third Test with the opportunity to save The Ashes, Australia's bowling attack have the ability to decimate England's lower order. In the first innings, England lost their last six wickets for just 35 runs and when they returned to the crease, the final five wickets went for just 46 runs. England possess players who can make big scores but regardless of Dawid Malan scoring 192 by himself, it did not stop the tourists succumbing to an innings and 41 runs defeat in Perth.
Such is the form of Australia captain Steven Smith that it comes as a surprise when he does not record at least a half-century. Based on that perception, the betting odds of 11/10 for that to occur in the first innings in Melbourne is an absolute no-brainer and the same applies for Mitchell Marsh after his 181 in Perth with the middle-order batsman being available at 2/1. From an England perspective, it will take a brave punter to back any player to hit a fifty in the first innings, but the value bet is Malan, who can be backed at 9/4 if you think the 30-year-old can reach fifty for a third time in a row. If you would like to set the 25-run mark as your target, opener Mark Stoneman is probably your man at 9/10.
When taking a look at the betting odds being offered for the best bowling performance, you will not be surprised to see Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins taking their place in the top three. The trio are priced between 7/2 and 5/1, but the 5/1 on Cummins is worth a punt with the England lower-order being unable to contend with pace. With Craig Overton a major doubt for the encounter due to a rib injury, expect a change in the England attack and if Mark Wood finally makes a return, it makes sense to back him at 7/2 to be the best-performing England bowler in the first innings.
England have lost their last eight Test matches in Australia so as already mentioned, there is value in the 1/2 being offered for a home victory. However, prevailing by an innings is also a possibility and at 7/2, it is a bet which should be considered, as should the series whitewash. That can still be backed at 23/20 and with Australia looking to inflict further misery on their fierce rivals, do not think they will be tempted to take their foot off the gas after already reclaiming the urn.
