England's herculean challenge to stop Australian juggernaut

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

• Joe Root has odds of 4.29 to be England's best batsman in this Test Match  
• Steven Smith has odds of 4.16 to be the best batsman for Australia in this Test Match  
• Stuart Broad has odds of 3.66 to be the best bowler for England  
• Pat Cummins has odds of 2.93 to be Australia's best bowler  

MATCH PREVIEW     

England is staring at the first Ashes series defeat at home since 2001. They conceded a 0-2 lead to Australia in the 2nd Test. The hosts fought hard in the last game, led from the front by skipper Ben Stokes, but it wasn't enough, and they went down by 43 runs with a lot of drama in the game. A generation of English fans hasn't seen their side in such a condition at home. They have to produce a spirited effort to stop the Australian juggernaut. The Aussies would look to end their series drought in England and grab an Ashes series on English soil first time in 22 years.   

England Preview     

Ben Stokes fought hard in the last game and played one of Test history's greatest captain's knocks. However, he failed to take his side over the finishing line and now has to fight to save the series at Leeds. Many questions have been raised about the side's approach in the last two games, where they failed to play to the demands of the game. Stokes and his men must put all that behind their backs and focus on winning this game and staying alive in the series. They had won at Leeds in the last Ashes series, and Stokes would like his players to take inspiration from that win.  

Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley did well in the last game. They must set up a big opening wicket stand to blunt the Australian attack in this game. In the middle order, Joe Root must bring his experience to play and build partnerships with Moeen Ali and Harry Brook. Jonny Bairstow hasn't been in the best form, and he will need to support Stokes and Chris Woakes down the order to put the visitors under pressure.  

Ollie Robinsonand Stuart Broad have done well, but the side will need that extra effort from them with the new ball to put the Australian top order under the mat. Moeen Ali will return to the side for this game, which is a big boost for England. He must bowl the long spells along with Mark Wood. Stokes and Joe Woakes will look to do well in the supporting role.  

Expected Starting XI for England

Ben Stokes (c), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Chris Woakes, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Moeen Ali, Mark Wood

Australia Preview      

Pat Cummins will be a happy man. No Australian captain since Steve Waugh has had the English side running for cover in their backyard in the last two decades. Cummins has bowled well and inspired the team with the bat as well. He will go for the kill in this game and grab the series. The Aussie skipper would like to guard against complacency as England will play tough cricket here.  

Usman Khawaja has been brilliant in the series, with 300 runs in two games. He will look to lay a strong platform with David Warner, who has struggled. Steven Smith scored a hundred in the last game, making this middle order strong with Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head, who are doing well. Cameron Green, Alex Carey, and Pat Cummins have contributed down the order, and the side will expect the same from them in this game.  

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc must get early breakthroughs to dent the mood in the English camp. Nathan Lyon's injury is a big blow to the side, and they will expect Josh Hazlewood to do well along with Todd Murphy. Green and Steven Smith must do well in this game in the supporting role.   

Expected Starting XI for Australia     

Pat Cummins (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Josh Hazlewood 

TOSS: To Bowl First      

The toss will be crucial here, as the last five Test Matches favor sides that have bowled first. Batting on this track on the game's first day is never easy, as history teaches us. The team winning the spin of the coin shouldn't hesitate to bowl first in the game.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

The weather would remain cloudy for most days in this Test Match. Fast bowlers will enjoy bowling on this track as it always offers seam and swing. Batters must be watchful and get used to the surface to score runs. The side batting first would be happy to have 350-400 runs on the board.  

OUR PREDICTION      

England is fighting for survival in this game. They played well in both games but failed to win the game's key moments. They must put up a gritty show here to snatch the initiative back from Australia. The Australians come here with tailwinds and are on the verge of a historic win. Their bowling attack has performed better than the hosts, giving them an edge in this game.  

Our Prediction is for Australia to win