BANKER

Josh Hazlewood to take over 1.5 first-innings wickets

Eight wickets in the Perth Test – including five in the second innings – was Hazlewood’s reward for his exemplary performances throughout the series.

With Mitchell Starc an injury doubt, the hosts’ heir to Glenn McGrath is a good bet to go again at Melbourne.

Jimmy Anderson to take over 1.5 first-innings wickets

Anderson’s 12 wickets at an average of 26 drastically dwarfs his colleagues’ performances so far.

The Lancastrian has also taken four wickets in the first innings of both his previous two Tests at this ground.

Australia to win –

Australia have won all three matches so far by a vast distance, most recently by an innings.

It would take some effort by England to avoid another whitewash from here on in.

VALUE BET

Steve Smith to score a first-innings 50 –

Unfortunately for England, Smith doesn’t appear to tire.

If England don’t find a way to get him out early in his innings, the Australian skipper will gleefully take his chance to toy with tired and frustrated bowlers.

Mark Stoneman to score a 50 in the match –

Stoneman has two 50s in the three Tests so far, and looks far more like the England opener with 150 caps to his name than his partner at the other end.

Neither Stuart Broad nor James Anderson to reach double figures in either innings –

This pair have been blown away for single-figure scores in 10 of their 12 innings so far.

With nothing left to play for, England’s tail-enders are even less likely to offer any resistance.

LONG SHOT

Moeen Ali to not take a wicket in the match –

Moeen had just one wicket to show for his efforts at Adelaide and Perth.

With confidence draining and a finger injury clearly playing on his mind, this is a worthwhile punt.

Alastair Cook to score a 50 in the match –

Cook has registered 50s in his last two Tests at the MCG.

He isn’t a bad bet for another considering the number of times he has rescued seemingly career-threateningly bad runs of form with meaningful innings.

Steve Smith to score 200+ runs in the match –

Hands in front of your eyes, England fans.

Steve Smith has racked up 369 runs across three innings in his last two Tests at the MCG, all without getting out once.