The third Ashes Test match of the 2025/26 series is upon us, and despite only six days of cricket being played so far, we are already at the stage of do or die for England.
No side since Don Bradman's Australia in 1937 have come from two Test matches down to win an Ashes series, but the volatile nature of Bazball means that there is still belief within the England camp that they are alive and kicking.
Unfortunately for Stokes and McCullum, their task is only going to get harder from here on out. The Adelaide Test will see the returns of Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, and if England bat against these two as they did in Perth and Brisbane, then this Test match and series will be done before the weekend.
Ahead of the action getting underway on Tuesday, check out our Ashes third Test tips below.
Ashes third Test tips: Our three picks
Mitchell Starc top Australia wicket taker (2/1)
We may only be two Test matches into the 2025/26 Ashes Series, but there is a sense that we are going to refer to it as the ‘Mitchell Starc Series' in years to come, much like the 2013/14 series is known as the ‘Mitchell Johnson Series'.
Across the first two Test matches, Starc has taken a total of 18 wickets and has been the player of the match in both. With Lyon, Hazlewood and Cummins all missing for much of the series so far, Starc has relished being the main man, and there is no reason for that to stop in Adelaide.
Ominously for England, Starc took 6/48 in his last outing at the Adelaide Oval.
Joe Root top England run scorer (3/1)
To be frank, the only English batsman who can hold their head high at the moment is Joe Root, and even he has disappointed in three of his four innings in the series so far.
Still, his 138 not out in the first innings at Brisbane was the best moment of the series for England so far, and ended any debate over whether he is an all-time great of the game or not.
Root's record at Adelaide is decent enough, too, or at least decent enough to suggest he will outscore the rest of the England top and middle-order, who all have something to prove this week. In six innings here, Root has scored three half-centuries and averages 44.
Australia to win (1/2)
Unfortunately for England, all signs point towards an Australia victory this week, and 1/2 feels extremely long considering what has happened in the series so far.
The hosts have been better than their opponents every time the game has been in the balance, and they are set to be even stronger this week with Lyon and Cummins returning.
Their recent record in Adelaide is stunning, too. The Aussies have won each of their last six Test matches here, and all convincingly, too.
Ashes third Test tips: Summary
- Mitchell Starc top Australia wicket taker – 2/1
- Joe Root top England run scorer – 3/1
- Australia to win – 1/2
- Treble price – 17/1 @ SkyBet
Andy is tipster who has been calling Golf tournaments for several years across many different platforms. He has covered all tournaments from the Asian Tour to the Masters. He's also a keen football fan and is an expert on European football.
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