WACA Test Preview

Posted on December 14, 2017December 14, 2017 | Posted by David Shortte

Australia head into the Third Test of the Ashes Series with a 2-0 advantage courtesy of their victories at the GABBA and the Adelaide Oval.

The 120 run victory for the Aussies in the Second Day Night Test at the Adelaide Oval was comprehensive but for a brief moment at stumps on day four of the Test England would have held some hope with their Skipper Joe Root at the crease on 67, 6 wickets in hand and 177 runs left to chase down for an against the odds victory.

As it turned out that hope was short lived with Josh Hazlewood taking the important wickets of Woakes and Root early on day 5 to set up the win for the Aussies. Mitchell Starc promptly pulled out the mop and cleaned up the tail in customary fashion.

The Man of the Match was Shaun Marsh who used all of his experience to grit his teeth and dig in for his fifth test match century. The hallmark of his innings was his intense concentration which allowed him to occupy the crease for just under 6 hours in his unbeaten innings of 126. The fact that the next highest score in the match was Joe Root’s 67 in the Second Innings for England underlines just how significant Marsh’s contribution proved to be.

Mitchell Starc maintained his excellent form with the ball for Australia taking 8 wickets for the match (ably assisted by Nathan Lyon with 6) while for England Jimmy Anderson looked to get his rhythm back with a second innings haul of 5-43.

From a selection perspective Australia are toying with the idea of replacing the out of form Peter Handscomb with the All-Rounder option of Mitch Marsh to give some back-up to the pace battery. It appears more likely than not that this change will take place.

England brought in Craig Overton at the expense of Jake Ball for the Second Test and the young Somerset Fast Bowler performed well on debut taking 4 wickets for the match. England have indicated they will remain unchanged for this Test opting to put their faith in the X1 who were beaten in Adelaide.

In decades gone by the WACA was renowned for its pace, bounce and carry but for many years now since the drop-in pitches were introduced those characteristics have rarely been seen.  In all of WA’s Sheffield Shield fixtures to date this season flat, batsmen friendly wickets have been the order of the day and that is how most experts expect the pitch to play over the next five days.

Joe Root looked to be finding some touch in his second innings score of 67 in Adelaide and he remains the single most dangerous weapon England possess. I regard him in a different class to any other batsman in the England lineup and if they are to either win or draw a test for the rest of the Australian Summer they are going to need a significant triple figure contribution from their Skipper. The likes of Bairstow, Stoneman, Vince and Malan need to contribute and at the very least spend some time in the middle with Root. Alistair Cook is set to play in his 150^th Test Match – He has had a fine career but has struggled to have an impact so far this series and is in dire need of a significant contribution.

While the wicket is not expected to offer a heap to either bowling outfit it’s hard to tip against a win for the home side. Australia’s bowling unit of Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Lyon with Mitch Marsh on standby will again prove a handful for England’s top order and that will set up the win for the home side.

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Verdict

• Australia to win at $1.53.

Novelty Plays

• Cameron Bancroft Most Runs Australia First Innings $6
• Joe Root Most Runs England First Innings $3.50.

Mitchell Starc Most Wickets Australia First Innings $3.00

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