Ashes fourth Test tips: Whatever the weather, back Australia

With the Ashes already lost by England in pitiful fashion, what hope is there for Joe Root's beleaguered side ahead of the Sydney Test?

Sadly, the answer is not a great deal. Australia are available at 2.14 to go 4-0 up in the series and, even with a dodgy weather forecast and Covid scares in their camp depriving them of at least Travis Head, that's far too good a price to turn down.

England batting woes set to continue

The main problem for England has, of course, been the batting and there are no signs that could improve at the SCG.

England's batsmen managed to rack up 54 ducks in 2021, but that's only part of the story. 

Of far greater significance is the fact that the captain was exposed to the new ball in 14 of 27 innings last year, as that was the amount of time he came to the w wicket before the end of the tenth over. A staggering and damning statistic.

Aussies still hungry

There's a school of thought that England could pick up a battling draw or even win now that Australia have secured the urn again, but anyone who has watched any Ashes tour over the last 20 years will know that the Aussies will be absolutely determined to rub the Poms' noses in it, with a 5-0 thumping - as far as they're concerned, they've still got work to do.

Unman Khawaja is set to replace Head in the home side's batting line-up, which got away with an under-par performance in the last Test, thanks to the heroics of their bowlers, and minimal resistance from the English batsmen.

England's one saving grace for Sydney could be the weather forecast with rain currently set to interrupt at least three days of the contest although given England only managed to last seven sessions at Melbourne, that might not be too much of a problem.

As a result of the weather, the draw is available to back at 2.16, with England a massive 11, although you certainly don't need to waste any time getting tempted about that.

Root can still dominate with the bat

Unsurprisingly, Joe Root is favourite to be England's top run scorer, available to back at a very generous 2.5, which seems a bit of a steal considering only David Malan is likely to provide him with any opposition. 

In the Aussie camp, the situation is slightly more complicated given that David Warner, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are all capable of occupying the crease for long periods of time, which is why they are each valued at 4 to do the business in Sydney.

By his own high standards, Smith hasn't had a great series so could be due a huge score here, but Labuschagne is probably a safer option, especially after he missed out in Melbourne.

Recommended Bets

Back Australia to win at 2.14

Back Joe Root to be England's top batsman at 2.5