The second Test of the 2025/26 Ashes will get underway tomorrow in Brisbane. Here are how the odds are shaping up for the pink-ball game.
Which team will have the better opening partnership?
Australia will have a new opening pair for the Brisbane Test after Usman Khawaja's back spasms have ruled him out of the game. Perth debutant Jake Weatherald is expected to keep his spot, with Australia yet to confirm who his opening partner is likely to be. There have been reports that Travis Head will be pushed up the order after his swashbuckling century last time out, with Josh Inglis coming into the middle-order.
Meanwhile, England have named their XI for the match, which has only one change: Will Jacks will play for Mark Wood. That means the Bazball staple opening pair of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley will continue at The Gabba.
Betway offer odds of 3/4 for Australia, and 19/20 for England in this regard – slightly favouring Australia, but ultimately not much to choose between the sides. The average opening partnership for the first innings in day-night Tests is 28.83, but that drops to 16 in the second innings, so the toss could be crucial.
Which bowler will take the most wickets?
Betway have odds listed for players who could take five or more wickets in the match. Unsurprisingly, Mitchell Starc is the safest bet here, at odds of 1/2. His 81 wickets in pink-ball Tests are nearly double of the next best, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon on 43 each.
From the England side, Gus Atkinson and Jofra Archer are each backed at 5/6 to take five wickets in the match. These are also relatively safe bets.
A slightly riskier one is Ben Stokes, priced at 6/4 to take five wickets in the match. His record with the pink ball is poor, averaging 48.6, but his bowling form of late has been close to the best of his career. It might well be worth it.
Who will win the second Test?
Australia have been backed by Betway to go 2-0 up in the series, with odds of 9/20. The draw is almost out of the picture with odds of 16/1, given the history of pink-ball Test matches. England's odds of winning are set at 37/20. More optimistic fans might fancy that...
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