Australia and England head into the second Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday with the hosts holding a 1-0 lead after an ultimately comfortable victory in Perth. We take a look at the second Test from a betting angle and offer up a couple of potential bets for consideration.
Australia are 1.22 to win The Ashes with the drawn series 10.00 and England 6.25 for a comeback win. In the correct series score market Australia 5-0 is the favourite at 3.75.
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1st Test – Australia vs England Summary
The series opener at Perth Stadium delivered entertaining Test cricket dominated by Australia’s fast bowling unit. England won the toss and opted to bat but were immediately pressured by Mitchell Starc, whose opening spell dismantled the top order. Zak Crawley fell for a duck inside the first over, Joe Root followed soon after for 0, and with only Ollie Pope and Harry Brook offering resistance with 46 off 58 and 52 from 61 respectively, England were bowled out for 172 in just 32.5 overs.
Starc finished with phenomenal figures of 7 for 58, while debutant Brendan Doggett claimed two crucial wickets.
Australia’s reply also began poorly. Jofra Archer struck twice in his first few overs to remove Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne cheaply, before Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes combined to maintain the pressure. Alex Carey’s 26 off 26 and Cameron Green’s 24 off 50 deliveries provided temporary stability, but Stokes’ performance of 5 for 23 ensured Australia were dismissed for 132, giving England a 40-run lead at the changeover.
England’s second innings mirrored their first. Starc again struck with the new ball, dismissing Crawley for another duck, while Scott Boland’s tight lines earned him 4 wickets for 33 runs. Gus Atkinson scored 37 off 32 balls and Brydon Carse struck 20 runs from 20 to push the total forward, but three wickets from Doggett wrapped up the innings at 164 all out, setting Australia a chase of 205.
The final innings produced the match-defining partnership. Travis Head launched a brilliant counterattacking knock, smashing 123 off 83 balls featuring 16 fours and 4 sixes, supported by a composed 51 not out from Labuschagne. Their partnership broke England’s resistance and guided Australia to 205/2, sealing an eight-wicket victory and a 1-0 series lead.
Mitchell Starc was named Player of the Match after taking a remarkable 10 wickets.
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BETTING – click here to bet
Australia 1.50
Draw 15.00
England 2.80
Suggested Bets:
Innings 1: Travis Head to score a 50 at 2.70
Head looked superb in Perth, scoring a match-winning century at a strike rate close to 150. With the Gabba traditionally favouring positive stroke play and offering bounce, I think Head’s approach will see the runs flow and hopefully a bat raised as he passes 50. I also like him in the Top Australia Bat market at 4.50.
Zak Crawley Total Runs – Under 20.5 at 1.87
Crawley endured a nightmare start to the series, falling for a duck in both innings of the first Test. Under added pressure and facing a confident Australian attack, I believe he may struggle to find rhythm again here, making the under a strong option.
Note: All odds are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
