The Gabba will play host to Wednesday's Ashes Test 2021 game between Australia and England. The game kicks off at 11:00 am with Australia heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Australia vs. England game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Wednesday December 8, 2021 at 11:00 am

Where: The Gabba

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Australia vs England Preview

There’s been myriad twists and turns since England’s last visit Down Under for an Ashes series in the summer of 2017-18. The upcoming five-match rubber has served up a stack of tantalising storylines prior to the bitter rivals padding up for Brisbane opener.

Australia won the most recent home Ashes series in emphatic style, crushing England 4-0. They retained the cherished prize courtesy of a 2-all result in the Old Dart in 2019 – a series that marked the return of Steve Smith and David Warner to the Test arena in the wake of ‘Sandpaper-gate’.

Aussies aim to rise above controversy-tinged build-up

The hosts are again emerging from a potentially destabilising scandal. Tim Paine stepped down from the captaincy in disgrace over an off-field incident less than three weeks ago. Fast-bowling kingpin Pat Cummins takes over as skipper, while wicketkeeper replacement Alex Carey will make his Test debut at The Gabba.

In other contentious line-up decisions, Travis Head held off the challenge of Usman Khawaja for his middle-order spot, the under-pressure Mitchell Starc kept his place ahead of in-form pair Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser, and Marcus Harris will fill the problematic opener role alongside David Warner. The 22-year-old Cameron Green makes his fifth Test appearance in the key all-rounder position.

Australia wouldn’t trade Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood or Cummins for anyone else in world cricket, however.

England arrived in Australia with a comparatively settled line-up. But the top-order trio of Rory Burns, Zak Crawley and Dawid Malan could make or break the tourists’ campaign, while captain Joe Root – the world’s No.1-ranked Test batter – is heading into a potentially career-defining series.

Botham-esque all-rounder Ben Stokes, a Test debutant during the 2013-14 Ashes before missing the trip four years ago, looms as England’s trump card. Jonny Bairstow, Ollie Pope and keeper-batsman Jos Buttler provide England with stability, experience and class.

Jofra Archer is a big loss, leaving veteran duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad – if they both get the nod ahead of Mark Wood – and Chris Woakes with the job of rattling Australia’s formidable top order.

England confront Brisbane bogey

England has not won a Test at The Gabba since 1986, managing just two draws in eight clashes since. Australia romped to a 381-run victory in the 2013-14 Ashes series opener in Brisbane and a 10-wicket victory in 2017. Steve Smith claimed player of the match honours in the latter courtesy of his unbeaten 141 in Australia’s first innings.

Australia have not played a Test since last summer’s jarring series loss at home to India. England lost a four-match series in India 3-1 in March, before going down 1-0 at home in a two-Test series to world champs New Zealand midyear.

Australia are $2.00 favourites to take a 1-0 lead, with England at $4.50 to defy three decades of Gabba torment. But with plenty of rain forecast over the five days in Brisbane, the draw ($2.88) option comes into play. England have repeatedly struggled to handle the pressure of Ashes series openers in Australia and a rearguard or weather-aided draw seems their best hope, given the array of proven Test superstars in the home side’s line-up.

Smith scored 141*, 40, 239, 76 and 83 in the first innings of the five Ashes Tests in 2017-18. Expect Australia’s batting maestro to start in a similar vein here.

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