Fifth Ashes Test: Australia too good for poor England

Let's start with the good news - after all, there's been more than enough bad news around for fans of English cricket this winter. 

The main positive is England can't lose the Ashes 5-0, which is certainly clutching at straws, but at least means this tour won't go down as the worst ever in Australia, statistically speaking at least.

With England batting out 102 overs to cling on for a draw in Sydney, aided by the weather and a brilliant Jonny Bairstow first-innings knock, they can go to Hobart for the final Test with a tad more confidence than they would have had at any other stage of this Ashes series, which perhaps makes their odds of 7.6 look generous.

But Australia are 1.6 to complete a 4-0 series victory for one very good reason - they are a far better side than England. 

England's problems aren't just injuries

Not only are the Aussies a better unit, England now have injury doubts over Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow, while Sam Billings is likely to be drafted in to take over wicket-keeping duties from the injured Jos Buttler, who has now flown home after a miserable series, which could well be his last as a Test player.

While Zak Crawley scored second-innings runs in Sydney, his opening partner Haseeb Hameed is yet to post a score of note throughout the series and his position could be under threat. 

Add to that the fact that David Malan, who started the series so promisingly in the first two Tests, has scored 21 runs in his last four innings, and that Billings has never played a Test for England, and you get the feeling that the batting problems which have plagued Joe Root's side throughout the campaign are from over.

Historical Hobart 

Fans of straw-clutching will be delighted to know that England have never lost an Ashes Test at Hobart, although unfortunately the main reason for that is this is the first time that an Ashes contest has ever been staged in Tasmania. 

Additionally, England fans may be comforted by the knowledge that the last time the Aussies played a Test there, South Africa thumped them by an innings, but that was back in 2016 so it's probably hard to read too much into that.

Of greater significance is the fact that this is another day-night Test, and Australia's record in those matches is perfect - they have played nine and won nine, and there's nothing to suggest that record won't be extended to a perfect ten at some point between January 14 and 18.

Root and Boland worth backing

The Aussies have everything going for them, and will rightfully feel they should have won in Sydney. Given how much time was lost to the unsettled weather, the fact that they still came within a wicket of victory speaks volumes.

You could argue that the cooler, damper weather in Hobart may suit England more than Australia, and with day one looking unsettled winning the toss and bowling could give one team a huge advantage, but Pat Cummins' side have shown they are more than capable of dealing with whatever England have thrown at them since the opening Test in Brisbane.

In terms of top performers, Joe Root is due another 50 which he fails to convert into a century, and is 2.88 to be England's first innings top scorer which seems fairly good value, especially with injury doubts over in-form Bairstow. 

Scott Boland has taken the series by storm since coming into the side in Melbourne, and at 4.00 to be top Australian wicket-taker in the first innings, he looks a steal.

Recommended Bets 

Australia to win at 1.6

Scott Boland top Australia wicket taker at 4.00