England vs. Australia Ashes Third Test Betting Specials: Ben Stokes 14/1 for Man of the Match

Controversy shrouded the final few hours of a pulsating second Ashes Test at Lord's as the 'unsporting' dismissal of Jonny Bairstow saw Australia take a 2-0 series lead over England.

However, the Baggy Greens were more than valid, in my opinion, to take advantage of Bairstow's lack of nous at the wicket and rightly dismissed him as he walked out of his crease.

Well, one thing is for sure, there's a real bite to this Ashes Series now as the cricketing juggernaut swiftly moves north to Headingley on Thursday.

Our man Steve Chambers is here to take a look at three special bets for what is a must-win for Ben Stokes' side, as the Durham all-rounder looks to inspire his troops to get the win on Yorkshire soil.

We already have our England vs Australia Third Test Preview here, but stay with us to check out some eye-catching special bets below...

Harry Brook  - Top Match Batter @ 10/1

England's Harry Brook is undoubtedly a phenomenal talent with bat in hand and has shown glimpses at the crease during the Ashes with scores of 32, 46, 50 and 4, but he's yet to set the series alight and Australia will feel they have his number as he's the one that has taken the positive mentality of 'Bazball' to its fullest with audacious shots often being his downfall.

Well, with the Ashes on the line now then while Brendon McCullum will not want to clip the wings of his free-flowing batsman he may just get them to rein it in a little, and Brook may take a little bit more time in finding his feet and won't look to hit the ball to the boundary from his very first delivery.

A penchant for giving himself room and swatting the ball over the in-field, Brook will be walking out at Headingley - his home ground - for the first game as a Test match batsman, so he will be desperate to make an impression in front of his adoring home fans. If he can just play a little more circumspect then he could hit big runs and the 10/1 for him to be Top Match Batter looks a cracking bet. 

Ben Stokes  - Man Of The Match @ 14/1

An inspired 155 from Ben Stokes may not have been enough for England to tie the series, but the England skipper showed that when the chips are down he's yet again a man that will fight until the very end.

England now need all of their reserves to try and get their way back into the series and Stokes will return to the scene of his most iconic performance - the 2019 Ashes Test at Headingley - where he hit a marvellous century alongside No.11 Jack Leach.

Stokes has a thing for the big occasion and while he is sure to be a little tired after his Lord's heroics, he will be chomping at the bit to get back at the Australians.

If England are to win then he has to be the man to ignite the home team. Available at 14/1 to be crowned Man Of The Match, Stokes could well have a lot of work to do with the ball, while if he can replicate his Lord's display with the bat then he's s a cracking bet to be named MOTM.

Travis Head - Over 29.5 Runs @ 5/6

An unsung hero in the Australian batting line-up, Travis Head can score over 29.5 runs in the first innings of Thursday's match, as he has hit 30 or more in eight of his 13 Test innings during 2023, and he's shown this series with two quickfire fifties that he can get the scoreboard motoring in the second part of the Aussies' innings.

Heading to the crease on the back of a meticulous run-building operation from Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, Head clicks the scoring rate up several notches, as he scores quickly from ball one.

England's bowlers are sure to be tired when he comes to the crease and with his ability to hit boundaries (hit 14 4s in 77 in first innings at Lord's), Head can serenely get to 30 in no time and look to take the game to England's frontline seam attack.