Ashes 3rd Test preview: odds, start time and how to watch on TV

If England are to keep their Ashes hopes alive then they will have to avoid defeat in the third Test match against Australia in Perth.

Starting on 14 December at the Waca, the third Test could see Steve Smith’s Aussie side win back the title after taking a 2-0 series lead with victory in Adelaide.

It’s an uphill task for the tourists, but skipper Joe Root believes they are still “massively in the series”.

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Root’s confidence, however, is not echoed by cricket pundit Geoffrey Boycott, who wrote in his Daily Telegraph column: “Let’s be brutally honest. For the all the upbeat talk from our players and the hopes and expectations from our supporters, Australia are better than us.

“The Ashes are gone. We are not coming back from 2-0 down. England will have a massive job avoiding a 5-0 thrashing.”

With three Tests left to play, England can still retain the Ashes if they draw the series, so the pressure is on, starting in Perth next week.

History is not on England’s side, however, reports Sky Sports. According to cricket statistician Benedict Bermange, England have never beaten or drawn with Australia from 2-0 down.

When does the third Ashes Test start?

The Perth Ashes Test match starts on Thursday, 14 December with play getting under way each day at 2.30am UK time.

How to watch the Ashes on TV

BT Sport has exclusive rights to the Ashes and will show every ball live from Australia. The broadcaster has announced that Michael Vaughan and Ricky Ponting will join the punditry team alongside Geoffrey Boycott, Adam Gilchrist, Graeme Swann and Damien Fleming.

For radio listeners, BBC Test Match Special will provide ball-by-ball commentary of all Tests on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and Radio 4 LW.

3rd Ashes Test betting odds

Best prices according to Oddschecker as of 13 December.

3rd Test winner

• Australia 11/20
• England 17/4
• Draw 5/1

Overall series winner

• Australia 1/25
• Draw 20/1
• England 33/1

Series score

• Australia to win 5-0: 5/2
• Australia to win 4-1: 4/1
• Australia to win 4-0: 9/2
• Australia to win 3-1: 6/1
• Australia to win 3-2: 10/1
• Australia to win 3-0: 16/1
• Draw 2-2: 20/1
• England to win 3-2: 40/1
• Australia to win 2-1: 50/1
• Australia to win 2-0: 200/1