Headingley is the venue for the third Ashes test match between England and Australia, the game gets under way on Thursday and with a 2-0 series lead the Aussies only need to avoid defeat to retain the urn.

 

 

 

After winning a thrilling first test at Edgbaston by 2 wickets Australia made it 2-0 with a 43 run win in the second test which was staged at Lords last week.

 

England won the toss and opted to bowl first and Australia made 416 all out with Steve Smith the top scorer with 110, Head made 77 and Warner 66. England replied with 325 (Duckett 98, Brook 50). They were on 188 when the second wicket fell but failed to kick on.

 

The second innings saw Australia bowled out for 279 with Khawaja top scoring with 77 and Broad claimed 4 wickets. England were in big trouble at 45/4, Ben Duckett held things together before he went for 83 with Ben Stokes also at the crease. Bairstow was controversially “run out” (I dare say you've seen it so I won't dwell) and Stokes teed off, smashing boundary after boundary before he got out for 155. England' were finally bowled out for 327 and Steve Smith was named MoM.

 

This was how the teams lined up in the second test. Note, Nathan Lyon has been ruled out of the remainder of the series.

 

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, James Anderson

 

Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

 

Leading Series Run Scorers

 

Usman Khawaja 4 innings 300 runs

Ben Stokes 4 innings 216 runs

Ben Duckett4 innings 212 runs

Joe Root 4 innings 192 runs

Steve Smith 4 innings 166 runs

 

Leading Series Wicket Takers

 

Stuart Broad 2 matches 11 wickets

Ollie Robinson 2 matches 10 wickets

Nathan Lyon 2 matches 9 wickets

Pat Cummins 2 matches 8 wickets

Josh Hazlewood 2 matches 8 wickets

 

Recent Ashes Series

 

In Australia in 2021/22 England lost 4-0 (1 draw)

 

In England in 2019 a 5 match series was drawn 2-2 and Australia retained the urn.

 

In Australia in 2017/18 England lost 4-0 (1 draw)

 

The Venue, Headingley, Leeds

 

Over the course of the last decade England have won 5 and lost 3 of 8 test matches at Headingley although their recent record is impressive with 4 wins from the last 4.

 

One of those matches was an Ashes test, a 1 wicket win for England in 2019. Ben Stokes unbeaten 135 from a total of 362/9 saw them home in the most amazing fashion which included a 76 run partnership with number 11 bat Jack Leach.

 

The most recent test match at Headingley came against New Zealand in June 2022. NZ posted totals of 329 and 326 and England made 360 and 296/3 for a 7 wicket victory. Bairstow made scores of 162 and 71 not out.

 

The Weather forecast is available here

 

 

Series Betting - Get a 100% Match Bonus +20 Free Spins on Deposit

 

England are a 7/1 chance to turn the series around and win the Ashes

 

A 3-2 series win for Australia is priced at 3/1 and a 5-0 whitewash can be backed at around 5/1

 

Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

3rd Test Betting - Get a 100% Match Bonus +20 Free Spins on Deposit

 

England are 1.35/1 to win the second test with a draw at 4/1 and Australia are 12/10

 

Root is 5/2 to top score for England in the first innings and Steve Smith is the same price to do likewise for Australia.

 

The Verdict

 

The Headingley crowd are likely to give the Australian's plenty of stick and the England team are sure to be fired up after the events at Lords. The home side also need a win to stay alive in their bid to regain the Ashes and we should see another terrific match.

 

I'm looking to the “player to score a 50 in the first innings” market. My first pick might fall into the “too obvious” category but Joe Root is on home turf and has the temperament to handle the highly charged atmosphere.

 

For my second pick in that market I'm looking for a return to form for Marnus Labuschagne.

 

Bets: Player to score a 50 in the first innings, Joe Root? (Yes) at 12/10 with Sportingbet

Player to score a 50 in the first innings, Marnus Labuschagne? (Yes) at 16/10 with Sportingbet

 

Get a 100% Match Bonus +20 Free Spins on Deposit 

 

Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

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