The eagerly anticipated first Test of the 2025/26 series will get underway this week in Perth. Here are how the odds are shaping up for the blockbuster opening clash.
Which team will have the better opening partnership?
All eyes will be on the batters stepping out first for both teams, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett's fast-scoring blueprint up against Usman Khawaja's experienced head. It's not yet clear who will open the batting alongside Khawaja, with Australia facing a choice between handing Jake Weatherald a Test debut and bumping Marnus Labuschagne back up to the top.
It's a close call as to which partnership goes into the Test as favourites, but on balance Australia's pairing take the bookies' backing, with odds of 4/5 compared to 9/10 for England on Betway. However, when it comes to the highest individual score in the match, Australia edge out England, with Australia backed to have a highest score of 116.5 or more, while England's top score is predicted to be 107.5 or more.
Which bowler will take the most wickets?
Australia will be without two of their 'big three' pacers for the Test in Perth, with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood both having been ruled out. In their places, Brendan Doggett is likely to make his Test debut while Michael Neser has also been called-up to the squad. England's Mark Wood was cleared for selection after he experienced hamstring tightness during an intra-squad warm-up game, meaning England will have their full group of pacers available for selection.
Despite boasting their quickest group of bowlers to tour Australia in decades, Mitchell Starc has been backed by Betway as the most likely bowler to take five wickets in the first innings, with odds of 3/1. Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon are backed as the next most likely at 9/2, with England's Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson the top-backed England bowlers at 5/1.
Who will win the first Test?
Australia have been backed by Betway as favourites to go 1-0 up in the series, with odds of 7/10. England's odds sit at 7/5, while the draw is rated at 12/1.
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