Australia vs England 3rd Test Tips - Labuschagne backed to shine at the MCG
- Australia vs England predictions for Sunday’s 3rd Ashes Test match
- Can the hosts continue their dominance on home soil?
- Marnus Labuschagne averages 101.9 in the 1st innings in his last 14 Test matches
- Preview, tips, stats & team news
Marnus Labuschagne averages over 100 in the 1st innings of his last 14 Test matches (Getty Images)
Australia vs England Tips
Australia have a number of in-form batsmen but looking past Marnus Labuschagne is difficult. He has scored 50+ runs in the first innings in 11 of his last 14 Test matches. My best bet is for him to score 50+ at the MCG in the first innings.
- Australia vs England Tips
- Head to Head
- England’s History at the MCG
- Australia Form
- Australia Team News
- England Form
- England Team News
- Australia vs England FAQs
- Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne has scored 50+ runs in his last 3 Test innings.
- Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne has scored 50+ runs in the 1st innings in 11 of his last 14 Test matches.
- Australia’s Steven Smith has scored 50+ runs in 4 of his last 6 Test innings’.
- England’s Joe Root has scored 50+ runs in 6 of his last 10 Test innings’.
- England’s Joe Root has scored 89 & 62 runs in the 1st innings of the last 2 tests.
- England’s Joe Root averages 66.13 in his last 13 Test matches.
Head to Head
Australia lead the current series 2-0 against England. In the 2nd Test in Adelaide, Australia won comfortably by 275 runs.
England’s History at the MCG
The MCG has been one of England’s more successful grounds in Australia having won 20 times in their 56 Test matches since 1877.
Since 1990 they have however lost five, drawn one and won two. They last faced off at the MCG in 2017 in a match that ended in a bore draw.
The Aussies scored 327 runs to which England replied with 491. Alastair Cook’s 244 runs was the catalyst for that big score. The hosts then batted out the rest of the Test.
Australia Form
After dominating the 1st Test, Australia continued in the same vain in Adelaide. Batting first David Warner scored 95, Steven Smith 93 and Marnus Labuschagne 103 runs in a total of 473.
Mitchell Starc then took 4-37 to bowl the tourists out for 236 runs. In building a lead Australia declared on 230 runs. Labuschagne and Travis Head scored 51 runs each.
Jhye Richardson showed that he belongs on the international circuit with figures of 5-42, bowling England out for 192 runs. That secured a 275-run win for the hosts.
Australia Team News
Josh Hazelwood missed the 2nd Test and looks unlikely to make the third. It has however not been confirmed.
There was also concern around Mitchell Starc but the latest reports suggest he will be fine to feature.
England Form
England’s batting woes continued in the 2nd Test in Adelaide. After the hosts cruised to 473, Dawid Malan top scored with 80 runs while Joe Root scored 62 in a total of 236 runs.
The Aussies then piled on another 230 runs to give themselves a lead of 468 runs. The English were always going to bat time with a win out of the question. Chris Woakes top scored with 44 runs although there were a number of batsmen who spent plenty of time at the crease.
Malan and Root have been the only English batsmen to come good in the opening two test matches. There will need to be more assistance from the openers, Jos Buttler and Ollie Pope.
England Team News
This England side can’t seem to find any sort of form ‘down under’. The batsmen and bowlers are struggling, and solutions seem far away.
There could be a call for Zak Crawley to come into the side but he averages under 12 in Test cricket this year. The tourists are definitely short on a good spin option.
Australia vs England FAQs
Where can I watch Australia vs England live stream?
Check our live streaming calendar to see where to watch Australia vs England live stream.
What time does the 3rd Ashes Test start?
The 3rd Test begins at 10.30am AEST at the MCG on Sunday, December 26.
Verdict
Marnus Labuschagne has an unparalleled scoring record in the first innings of Test matches. He is backed to score 50+ in the first innings and top score for Australia. Steven Smith can also be looked at to score 50+ in the first innings.
For England, Joe Root remains the best option in the top scorer market.
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