4th Ashes Test specials: Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, Steve Smith and Pat Cummins to hog headlines
- Jonhenry Wilson
- 18 July 2023
Planet Sport Bet have boosted four markets for this week's 4th Ashes Test at Old Trafford, where England will be looking to follow up their Headingley win and tie the series at 2-2.
We look at four markets which have been boosted by Planet Sport Bet for the 4th Ashes Test at Lancashire's Old Trafford, where England are looking to build on the momentum gained from their thrilling victory at Headingley.
Ben Stokes to hit a century in the match
Stokes is England's leading run-scorer this Ashes series. He hit a century at Old Trafford the last time England played a Test here. That was against South Africa in August 2022. A year later, he's well positioned to do the same against Australia.
The tourists will be without the injured Nathan Lyon again. Lyon's replacement in the XI, Todd Murphy, might be a target for Stokes. Intriguingly, Stokes has one of the lowest strike rates among England batsmen this series, but that doesn't necessarily mean he won't ton up with a 'Bazball'-esque effort at Old Trafford.
Mark Wood to take five wickets in either innings
Wood all-but personified England's series turnaround in the third Test. They should have selected him for at least one, if not both, of the first two matches. His seven wickets in Leeds kept the hosts in the five-match contest and earned the Player of the Match performance.
Old Trafford is James Anderson's homeground, but the bulk of the limelight might go to Wood this time. This will be Wood's first Test in Manchester, where form and conditions could suit his outright pace. He landed a five-for at Headingley - and looks a solid bet for another here.
Steve Smith to hit a century in the match
Smith was Player of the Match the last time Australia played a Test at Old Trafford. That was in 2019, when he struck 211 and 82 in a convincing win for the visitors. Six years earlier, also in Manchester, Smith hit 89 against an England bowling attack that was spearheaded by Anderson and Stuart Broad at the time, too.
Smith could be a smart pick to welcome another three-figure knock at Old Trafford, where he averages over 100 in Test match cricket. He's already scored one century this Ashes series. This week might be his cue for another.
Pat Cummins to take 10 match wickets
Nobody has completed a match 10-for this Ashes series. Cummins could be the first, especially if he wins the toss and opts to bowl first under gloomy Manchester skies. His impressive Test career has yielded one Test 10-for. That was in Australia. He'd love a first in England.
Four years ago, in Manchester, Cummins fetched three wickets in the first innings and four in the second. The difference between his overall Test career bowling average and bowling average in England is marginal - 22.07 globally v 23.16 in the United Kingdom.
