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England vs Australia 4th Test Predictions - England backed to level the series

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 18 Jul 2023

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Ralph Staniforth 18 Jul 2023

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Watch England vs Australia in the 4th Ashes Test on 19 July (12:00 SAST)
Hosts must-win to remain in the hunt for the Urn
Can England level the series?

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England can level the series at Old Trafford (Getty Images)

England vs Australia Preview

It has been a pulsating series to date with all three Test matches very tight calls. All of them could have gone the other way so it is tough to call this one.

England vs Australia Preview
Head to Head
England Form
England Team News
Australia Form
Australia Team News

Unless rain interferes, it is very hard to see the match end in a draw. I am backing England to level it up to create a decider in the fifth Test.

England have won 12 of their last 16 Test matches.
England’s Ben Stokes has scored 155 & 80 in 2 of his last 4 innings.
Australia lead the series 2-1.
Australia’s Usman Khawaja has scored 40+ runs in 4 of his last 6 innings.

Head to Head

Australia lead the Ashes 2-1 after the first three Test matches. Each of the three matches could easily have gone the other way. England won the third Test at Headingley.

England Form

England will be relieved that they managed to keep the Ashes alive in the third Test at Headingley. After narrowly losing the first two games, Headingley was basically a must-win fixture. As is this one at Old Trafford.

The hosts won the toss at Headingley and sent the Aussies into bat under gray skies. The decision proved a good one initially with the visitors struggling on 85-4. A good recovery however saw Australia post 263 in the first innings.

England’s response was poor as they lost regular wickets throughout. It was the brilliance of Ben Stokes with 80 who helped them reach 237 in their first innings, handing Australia a 26-run lead.

Another solid bowling performance kept England in the game as Australia were bowled out for 224 runs, leaving England needing 251 to win.

While England stuttered along the way, Harry Brook’s 77 runs saw them home with three wickets to spare.

England Team News

James Anderson returns for the fourth Test. That is the only change England have made.

Australia Form

Australia had the chance to claim the series win at Headingley but failed to take their opportunities. That means this series is very much alive and the urn could still go to either side.

Australia were in early trouble batting first but a magnificent run-a-ball 118 runs by Mitchell Marsh saw them post 263 in the first innings. Pat Cummins 6-91 when helped Australia bowl England out for 237 runs.

With a small first innings lead, it pretty much became a shootout in the last innings. Australia were all out for 224, and it could have been worse but for Travis Head’s 77 runs.

Defending 251 runs was always going to be close. The pitch was still good enough, so the contest was level. Starc took 5-78 but it wasn’t quite enough as England won by three wickets.

Australia Team News

Australia cannot drop Mitchell Marsh after his superb innings in the last Test. However, Cameron Green is fit so they may leave the youngster out altogether again.

Verdict

England v Australia - 4th Test

I am backing England to win with Ben Stokes to top score in the first innings. For Australia, I'm sticking with Usman Khawaja who has been the only batsman to show some consistency.

England Win

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