Aussies look good value in Adelaide

Things can only get better if you’re an England fan, and although the nine-wicket loss in Brisbane was a blow it was hardly surprising given the circumstances.

The lack of preparation, not playing Stuart Broad and James Anderson, and the fact England had lost nine and drawn one of their last 10 Tests in Australia meant that defeat was pretty much expected.

England haven’t won at The Gabba since 1986 and a batting collapse, ill-judged decision to bat first and plethora of dropped catches ensured that wait goes on.

Joe Root and Dawid Malan’s 162-run stand was the only real upside for the tourists, but Australia showed plenty of flaws themselves, and missing Josh Hazelwood will be a sizeable blow for the hosts in Adelaide.

A huge turnaround in form and mentality is now needed if England are to salvage an Ashes series that already looks out of their grasp. They’re given just over a 10% chance of lifting the urn now with Australia huge 1.22 favourites to win the series.

Aussies big favourites for day-night Test

Australia are still big 1.61 favourites with England priced at 4.1 and the draw coming in at 8, but it’s not quite as simple as a regular Test with pink ball matches still relatively rare.

In theory there should be a bit more movement with the ball as the lights go on and darkness falls, so having Broad and Anderson returning would give England an entirely new look.

Jack Leach and Mark Wood seem likely to miss out if England’s top Test wicket-takers can both play, and there is talk that Anderson wasn’t risked in Brisbane to ensure he could play here – with perfect conditions for him to wreak havoc.

Anderson took five wickets here last time, but note that was in a losing effort as Australia had already hit 442-8 in their first innings, and England simply couldn’t keep up with their own batting.

And it’s the batting that could be vital here, as although you do get spells of ideal bowling conditions, Adelaide is also a flat batting track when the sun is out and there’s no guarantee Anderson will get to bowl during that window of swinging conditions.

Root to lead England again

If England have one hope then it’s another big knock from skipper Root, who with 1,544 Test runs this year has 1,000 more than England’s next-best Rory Burns (492), who looked out-of-touch in Brisbane.

If England are to have any chance of levelling the series in Adelaide, Root will have to score big runs, and at least one other batsman will need to accompany him, which is a big ‘if’ and probably not quite enough to back the tourists. 

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Back Australia to win at 1.61