We’ve crunched the stats to provide you with a handful of reliable betting tips ahead of this crucial Ashes clash.
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Most expected a fiery start to this Ashes series, but few could have predicted the events that unfolded at the Optus Stadium earlier this month.
A staggering 19 wickets fell on a scintillating first day, as the bowlers ran riot on an unforgiving pitch. Neither side managed to register more than 200 runs in a whirlwind opening innings, which felt like it was over before it really began. After England delivered another underwhelming batting performance the second time around, Travis Head produced one of the best knocks in recent Ashes history to propel the Aussies to a deserved victory.
Such was the speed of those initial batting capitulations and the intensity of Head’s second-innings run scoring, the match reached its conclusion within two days. This was the first time an Ashes test hadn’t entered a third day for over a century, with this scenario last playing out at Trent Bridge in May 1921. It was also the shortest Ashes contest in relation to total balls bowled since 1888, when England battered Australia at Old Trafford in the eighth edition of this historic duel.
The wicket at the Gabba is likely to be a lot less temperamental, although the recent hot weather in Queensland could result in advantageous ground conditions for both batters and bowlers. Therefore, don’t be surprised if we see some high scores and quick dismissals in this week’s keenly anticipated second test.
Australia v England: Thursday, December 4th – Monday, December 8th
Australia v England tips
Australia to win the match @ 8/15 (bet365)
Brydon Carse to take 5+ wickets @ 2/1 (bet365)
Travis Head to hit the most fours in the match @ 7/2 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Australia to double their advantage in Brisbane
Although Brendon McCullum’s men will undoubtedly fight tooth and nail to level up the series, all of the evidence points to another Australian triumph.
England may have ripped through the hosts’ top order midway through a frantic first day in Western Australia, but Ben Stokes will be gravely concerned about his team’s lack of quality with the bat. The captain himself only managed to accumulate eight runs across his two visits to the crease, while opening batsman Zak Crawley – who is facing mounting criticism following a sequence of lacklustre displays – was disastrously bowled out for ducks in both innings. The Three Lions were much better with the ball in hand, although Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson could do nothing to thwart Head’s momentum late on.
For their part, Australia need to wash away any memories of that calamitous opening innings, which produced a paltry 132 runs and put the visitors firmly in the driving seat. Nevertheless, the Baggy Greens will take plenty of confidence from an imperious bowling display. Mitchell Starc is virtually unstoppable when operating at his scintillating best, something the New South Wales star demonstrated throughout the opening tie. Another major positive was the contribution of Scott Boland, who was only drafted into the side due to the absence of influential skipper Pat Cummins. The experienced seamer recorded an impressive suite of statistics in the second innings, claiming 4/33 in his 11.4 overs while conceding just two boundaries. With Head’s batting heroics still at the forefront of Steve Smith’s mind, it’ll be interesting to see whether the Adelaide-born ace retains his place at the top of the order in light of Usman Khawaja’s impending return.
History also suggests that the 2021-2023 World Test champions are set to increase their advantage in this series. These two cricketing giants last met at the Brisbane Cricket Ground just under four years ago, at the beginning of Australia’s quest to retain the Ashes for a second time following their acquisition of the urn in January 2018. Pat Cummins led the charge as the home side obliterated England’s batters early on, before Travis Head – perhaps rather ominously given his recent outputs in Perth – racked up the second-quickest century in Ashes history. An improved showing from England in the second innings would only delay the inevitable, as the Aussies raced to a nine-wicket triumph.
Furthermore, England haven’t won on Australian soil in almost fifteen years, a record which dates back to the final test of the 2010/11 series. A marvellous knock of 189 from captain Alastair Cook helped the ‘Poms’ claim an emphatic victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground, but memories of those types of results have long since faded amidst a deluge of Aussie successes.
Betting tip: Australia to win the match @ 8/15 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Australia beat England
Another substantial wicket haul from Carse?
Having claimed five wickets in a glittering six-over spell to resuscitate English hopes, Ben Stokes understandably stole the limelight on the first test’s opening day. However, Brydon Carse also made a major impact during that crazy opening stretch, leveraging his immense bowling expertise to help rub out the Aussies’ middle order.
The Northern Superchargers ace dismissed Steve Smith towards the end of the sixteenth over, before tempting Usman Khawaja to edge the ball into the outstretched gloves of Jamie Smith. Carse then conspired with Ben Duckett to take Nathan Lyon’s wicket, which signalled the end of Australia’s fruitless first innings.
While Stokes faded during the visitors’ next bowling attack, Carse delivered another set of impressive numbers against the backdrop of an impending defeat. After England endured a frustrating opening eleven overs, the South African-born all-rounder bowled out the hapless Jake Weatherald before turning his attentions towards the free-scoring Travis Head. Having watched Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson wilt under the Perth sunshine, Carse brought Head’s batting masterclass to an abrupt end just as Australia came within touching distance of sealing the match. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne easily finished off the job soon after, but opponents will be wary of Carse’s competency and consistency when they report to the crease at the Gabba.
Betting tip: Brydon Carse to take 5+ wickets @ 2/1 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Brydon Carse takes five wickets or more during the match
Head-ing for the boundary
Travis Head’s inspiring 123-run stint has been well-documented in this article and across various sections of the media, but the explosive left-hander remains as laid back as ever. His naturally relaxed persona will serve him well as he attempts to generate a similar score at one of the world’s most iconic cricket grounds, while handling an increased sense of expectation surrounding his performance.
Had it not been for Marnus Labuschagne’s poor first-innings return and Usman Khawaja’s crippling back spasms, Head’s memorable knock may never have even materialised. The 2022 Australian Player of the Year stepped into the breach while others were perhaps reluctant to assume such responsibility, but his gamble certainly paid off. During his 136 minutes in the middle, Head found a whopping 20 boundaries (16 fours and 4 sixes) while maintaining a 148.19 strike rate, effectively leveraging his own blend of ‘Bazball’ against the architects of this attack-minded philosophy.
Head was also one of only five Aussie batsmen to hit a four in the opening innings in Perth, as he worked hard to steady the ship midway through a turbulent first innings. It’s also worth noting that the 30-year-old struck past the ropes on 17 occasions during the first match of Australia’s test series meeting with the West Indies earlier this year, ensuring he claimed more boundaries than any other player at Bridgetown’s Kensington Oval.
Betting tip: Travis Head to hit the most fours in the match @ 7/2 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Travis Head registers more fours than any other batsman on either side
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