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Remind me next time

Time is running out for England in the Ashes after their defeat in Brisbane was swiftly followed by a 275-run mauling by Australia in Adelaide, meaning the hosts now lead 2-0 heading into the iconic Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

The Ashes Third Test Betting Odds

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It is no surprise to see Australia are favourites to win the third Ashes Test given how comfortably they won at both the Gabba and the Adelaide Oval.

They are 4/9 to win the match and in the process win the Ashes, while England are 11/2 to record a comeback victory. The draw - which was the result when these teams last met in Melbourne - is 4/1.

The Ashes Third Test Team News

Scott Boland has been added to the Australia squad for the third Ashes Test as fast-bowling cover but it looks as though skipper Pat Cummins and fellow paceman Josh Hazlewood will be available after completing a Covid-19 isolation period and recovering from a side strain respectively.

There has been plenty of speculation about what changes England will make ahead of this must-win Test match.

Following sub-par performances in each of the first two Tests, England's openers Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed face an anxious wait and Zak Crawley is being touted as the most likely to be drafted in.

Jonny Bairstow is also waiting in the wings and it has been suggested he could be replacing Ollie Pope.

Perhaps the most certain change for England, though, is Mark Wood returning to the team to inject some much-needed pace into the bowling attack. Chris Woakes could make way while Jack Leach, who went for 102 runs from only 13 overs in the first Test, could also make an unlikely return.

The Ashes Third Test Where to Watch on TV

Fans can watch the third Ashes Test live on BT Sport 1.

The Ashes Third Test Prediction

Australia to win - BET NOW

The third Test is undoubtedly a must-win match for England but even with that incentive behind them, a win for Joe Root's men still looks highly unlikely.

They did not even make it to the final day in Brisbane and they were hammered by 275 runs in the second Test.

That defeat in Adelaide means England have now lost ten of their last 11 Test matches in Australia and the hosts are a solid bet to win, even at 4/9.

Beyond Joe Root and Dawid Malan, England have lacked anyone able to put up a decent score, while they have allowed Australia to twice surpass 400 with their first-innings totals.

The returns of Cummins and Hazlewood to the attack will do England no favours and the series could be over before the end of 2021.

M Labuschagne - Australia Top Batsman First Innings - BET NOW

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Brought in as a concussion substitute for Steve Smith in the 2019 Ashes in England, Marnus Labuschagne has since evolved into one of Australia's most reliable top-order batters and is the leading scorer so far in the 2021-22 Ashes series.

The patient number three has done a terrific job of shielding Smith lower down the order but has been scoring runs as well, firing 103 and 51 runs in his two innings in Adelaide.

His performances saw him claim the number one Test batsman in the world rankings earlier this week and he can justify his new position by top-scoring for his team in their first innings at the MCG.

Australia - Highest Opening Partnership - BET NOW

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An ongoing issue in the England Test team has been their opening pair of batsmen with Hameed and Burns failing to impress in the series so far. 

And although Crawley has been suggested as a possible replacement while Bairstow could potentially be in line to open in Test cricket for the first time, there is no doubting Australia have the more settled top two.

Warner alone has made knocks of 94 and 95 in the current Ashes series and the hosts are worth backing to have the highest opening partnership in Melbourne.

The Ashes Third Test Betting Tips

1. Australia to win - BET NOW

2. M Labuschagne - Australia Top Batsman First Innings - BET NOW

3. Australia - Highest Opening Partnership - BET NOW

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The Ashes Third Test Betting Tips