Sports

Ashes – Adelaide Oval Day/Night Test Preview

Posted on | Posted by David Shortte

PREVIEW

Australia head into the second test of the series with a 1-0 advantage courtesy of their 10 wicket victory at the GABBA.

While the 10 wicket margin ended up reading like a one-sided contest the reality is it was much more hard fought than that.

Steve Smith’s masterclass in the first innings for Australia where he made 141 not out in a total of 328 was a crucial factor in success for the home side. His partnerships of 99 with Shaun Marsh (the partnership commenced with Australia precariously placed at 4/76) and 66 with Pat Cummings turned what could have been a big first innings deficit into a 26 run lead.

From there England were bundled out for 195 in their second innings and then it was smooth sailing for Warner and Bancroft who knocked off the 173 run target without the loss of a wicket in the second innings.

Heading to Adelaide and Australia are unchanged with their X1 while England have indicated that they are not looking to make any wholesale adjustments to their team.

The intrigue of the pink ball and the effect of the twilight period where batsmen have found it traditionally much harder to pick up the ball add some genuine x factor to this Test but Australia have a great record at the Adelaide Oval and I expect them to come out breathing fire.

Bancroft and Warner showed in the second innings of the GABBA Test that they could form a dangerous partnership at the top of the order for Australia and England are going to have to find a way to knock over Aussie Skipper Steve Smith if they are to win this Test.

England will rely heavily on Joe Root to score big and bat around him. I rate Root enormously and if the likes of Vince, Stoneman and Bairstow can dig in and fight with him England can at the very least prove competitive.

Overall though in home conditions I can’t go past Australia to prevail. The likes of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummings with the pink ball may well prove a handful for England’s top order.

Verdict: Australia to win at the $1.62.

Novelty Plays:

  • Steve Smith Most Runs Australia First Innings $3.50
  • Joe Root Most Runs England First Innings $3.70.
  • Mitchell Starc Most Wickets Australia First Innings $3.00



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