If you’re looking to back a side in the 2nd Test at the Gabba starting 4 December, then the stats below favour you wagering on Australia.
Quite apart from the fact the Aussies came from behind to win a memorable opening Test in WA, making them the ones with the momentum going forth, history is on their side too.
The Gabba has played host to 22 Ashes Tests between the warring nations of Australia and England over the years.
And, the Aussies have won 13 of them outright.
On five occasions they have played a draw with the Poms and their Barmy Army only able to celebrate on just four occasions.
The last time they did, was in 1986!
A whole generation of cricket lovers have since been born and raised in that time!
Add to that the overwhelming, astonishingly powerful fact that Australia excels at pink ball cricket – and this Gabba Test will be a pink ball match – then only an Englishman and a madman would back them to cause an upset. Pink ball Test matches are those played during the day and night, which for reasons only the divine Himself knows, favours Australia’s quicks.
In regards to England vs Australia in pink ball games thus far, hmmm – Australia has won 3, England 0!
The Aussies exploit the movement, or swing, of the ball under lights in a way no-one else seems to replicate. It becomes a non-stop barrage of fast hand-grenades hurled at the batters and that ball pivots off the deck in all directions making for a horrid time at the crease for the batsmen.
Aussie’s Mitchell Starc in particular is a maestro at it, and given he was in career-best form and mood in WA 10 days ago, he should strike havoc in Brisbane.
It’s kinda, sorta like Bazball, with the ball – not with the bat – and the Poms, who invented Bazball with the bat, have suffered many a tongue-lashing by experts and commentators alike after trying Bazball in Perth on a wicket that didn’t support that style.
Will they it in Brisbane also?
Their captain Ben Stokes, who loves that style, had a twinkle in his eye when asked recently in an interview suggesting, maybe, possibly, probably they will.
Australia look likely to rest captain Pat Cummins again even though he was seen bowling with pace in the nets. This will allow the pace attack to be Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett plus all rounder Cameron Green.
All of them swing the ball and all will ‘give em’ hell.
Australia’s batting lineup is very strong and includes the hero of Perth, Travis Head, now the founder of Travball, captain Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey and if Usman Khawaja is healthy he plays too.
All of them are, as we saw in Perth with Head, capable of turning a match Australia’s way with century-making form. Marnus, in particular, has found much needed aggression and he is ready for not just a big ton but a double ton.
That’s my prediction for him.
England on the other hand have lost one of their strike bowlers with crack paceman Mark Wood likely to miss with a left knee issue.
Without him, England’s attack becomes less lethal. Will England stick to just pace, or include a spinner? Actually, same question can be asked of Australia in regards to Nathan ‘Gary’ Lyon.
With swing the key factor in Brisbane, the Aussies could leave Lyon out, bring in big Beau Webster, and have abundant pace, swing then IF needed, Head, Marnus or even Steve Smith could send down some spin overs.
It’s a massive ask for Ben Stokes and his England team to bounce back. They lost a Test 10 days ago that they SHOULD not have lost, their pace attack has been curtailed losing Wood and the pressure their media back home places on them every loss, particularly against Australia, makes it very difficult for them.
A record crowd is expected too, most of whom will drown out the Barmy Army, so expect Australia to win – in four days!