The Ashes 4th Test Preview and Cricket Odds Updated for December 2024

Updated: 9th December 2024

The Ashes 4th Test preview 2019– September 4 to 8 – Old Trafford – 11.00 hrs BST

If one were to take away Ben Stoke's heroics that won England the 3rd Test and brought the Ashes series to level, then it’s quite evident that the home team were actually outplayed for most of the Series so far. One will have to take in to account the absence of the injured Steven Smith which made things a bit easier for the hosts, not to forget that Australia's top bowler, Mitchell Starc, has been out of action so far in the Series. But with Smith and Starc back for the 4th Test, things could get entirely different.

The fourth Ashes 2019 test is going to be played at the Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, where the hosts have not won a Test in their last five encounters spanning three decades against Australia. But Ben Stoke's magnificent match-winning 135 not out is expected to inspire England to a potential win as bookmaker's odds suggest.

To Win Odds The 4th Test Ashes

(William Hill odds – subject to change and correct as of 02/09/2019)

England to win: 11/10

Australia to win: 13/8

Draw: 7/2

The relief in the English camp would be tremendous after pulling off a near impossible win but they will be ignoring their weaknesses at their own peril. England were bowled out for 67 in the first test and everyone apart from Ben Stokes struggled. Joe Root’s inability to convert his fifties into hundreds is becoming a regular feature. Rory Burns who got a century in the first Test but apart from that act, even he along with the likes of Jason Roy, Root, Joe Denly and Jos Buttler look anything but convincing. Other than Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, through sheer grit and a bit of adventurism looks like someone who could take up the fight to the Aussie bowlers.

Jofra Archer's first innings heroics of 6-45 of the Third Test meant that England may not miss James Anderson as much as they first feared. Whether medium-pacer Craig Overton gets his chance remains to be seen with Sam Curran also competing for a spot. Chris Woakes looks the other bowler that could be replaced with Curran if the English team wants to try something different against Steve Smith going into the Old Trafford Test.

The other change for England could come in the form of their batting order with Joe Denly confirming on Monday that he will replace Jason Roy at the top of the order to partner Rory Burns, while the latter moves down to the two-down slot.

England's squad:

Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes

It would be interesting to see what the impact of “suffering defeat from the jaws of victory” at Headingley would be on the Australian's performance at Old Trafford. Skipper Tim Paine, nevertheless, would have been delighted to have seen Steve Smith return to the side for the tour match against Derbyshire last week after the champion batsman recovered from concussion that should see him return to the Test in Manchester.

Mitchell Starc made a serious case of return to the Test side with his seven-wicket haul against Derbyshire while Mitchell Marsh top scored for Australia and performed well with the ball in the Derbyshire game. Even Marcus Harris and Usman Khawaja, who have both struggled in the Ashes so far, also chipped in with half-centuries, but whether that will be enough to book places for the two in the coming Test remains to be seen. David Warner will still be around despite crushing failures in the series so far. But it hardly takes a batsman of his class to come back to form.

Australia's squad:

Tim Paine (c, wk), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazelwood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

As for the weather, one could be looking at rain delays for at least the first half of the Test match. Light showers are predicted throughout the afternoon on Wednesday, while there is also likely to be a significant delay in start of play to Day three. However, the final two days of the match should see some bright sunshine hence enough time for a result to come through.

Top Australian top batsman odds:

Steve Smith: 7/4

David Warner: 7/2

Marnus Labuschagne: 9/2

Usman Khawaja: 9/2

Travis Head: 13/2

Marcus Harris: 5/1

Cameron Bancroft: 5/1

Top English top batsman odds:

Joe Root: 7/2

Ben Stokes: 9/2

Rory Burns: 9/2

Joe Denly: 5/1

Jonny Bairstow: 7/1

Jason Roy: 11/2

Jos Buttler: 9/1

Sam Curran: 16/1

Top Australian bowler odds:

Mitchell Starc: 9/4

Pat Cummins: 9/4

Josh Hazelwood: 9/4

James Pattinson: 7/2

Nathan Lyon: 10/3

Top English bowler odds:

Jofra Archer: 9/4

Stuart Broad: 11/4

Chris Woakes: 4/1

Ben Stokes: 6/1

Craig Overton: 7/1

Sam Curran: 11/2

Where to Bet on the Ashes Cricket 4th Test

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