Adelaide Oval will play host to Thursday's Ashes Test 2021 game between Australia and England. The game kicks off at 3:00 pm 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: Thursday December 16, 2021 at 3:00 pm
Where: Adelaide Oval
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Australia vs England Odds
Australia vs England Preview
The 2021 Ashes Series arrives in Adelaide on Thursday, and Australia and England will chase success in the first pink ball test of the summer.
Australia took a crucial 1-0 Ashes Series lead following a dominant four-day effort in Brisbane and perhaps unsurprisingly, they will start clear favourites in betting once more.
England showed glimpses of a competitive Test side in Brisbane, but they will need to improve noticeably to reverse their fortunes and square the series in Adelaide.
Australia
Mitchell Starc’s incredible first-ball wicket in Brisbane set the tone for a dominant Australian performance, and the home side are justifiable favourites to go up 2-0 in Adelaide.
Their performance with the ball, particularly in the first innings was nothing short of outstanding and featured several highlights, including Pat Cummins taking five wickets (seven in total) in his first effort as captain.
The batting effort was highlighted by a Man of the Match performance by Travis Head (152), while the likes of David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne also looked good.
Ideally, Australia would take the same XI into the Adelaide Test, however paceman Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out with a side strain, and Jhye Richardson is poised to take his position.
Likely Australia XI
David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (vc), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jhye Richardson
England
England ultimately couldn’t recover from a forgettable Day 1 performance in Brisbane, and they suffered a demoralising defeat at the hands of Australia.
There wasn’t much to like about their first effort with the bat, and they all but allowed Australia to dictate terms when they were in the field, though the solo performances of captain Joe Root and first drop Dawid Malan in the seconds innings were noteworthy.
England Coach Chris Silverwood, Root and the selection panel are sure to make a few changes ahead of the second Ashes Test; spinner Jack Leach has been all but fed to the sharks and isn’t likely to be recalled, while veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad will almost certainly step into the new-look side.
There will almost certainly be a change to the batting line-up as well, with opener Rory Burns a chance to make way for Zak Crawley.
Like England XI
Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (vc), Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson
The Ashes 2nd Test Betting
There is plenty of value to be found across a variety of The Ashes betting markets here at Neds.
Australia will once again begin clear favourites in Adelaide ($1.57 at publish), and with nothing to suggest that they will lose any momentum or dominance, I am happy to take the price that is on offer for them to beat England, who are up at The Ashes odds of $3.50 (at publish).
Top Runscorer betting remains a potentially lucrative option, and Steve Smith ties the top line with Marnus Labuschagne ($3.50) to top the run sheet for Australia in the first innings, while Joe Root ($3) lead Dawid Malan ($5) and Ben Stokes ($6) for England.
Top Wicket Taker betting sees Pat Cummins maintain ($3.25) his lead to take the most wickets for Australia in the first innings ahead of new boy Jhye Richardson and Mitchell Starc, who share the second line ($3.75). James Anderson remains one of the world’s best swing bowlers, and he ties the top line of betting with Ollie Robinson, both rated $3.50 chances.
The Ashes 2nd Test Tips
Australia was a class above England in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, and they look well placed to make it two in a row in Adelaide.
Pat Cummins lead from the front in Brisbane, but the Adelaide Day/Night and pink ball conditions should suit Mitchell Starc right down to the ground, while James Anderson will add experience, depth, confidence and swing to the England line-up.
A century in Australia still eludes Joe Root, and while he was clearly a standout in England’s second innings in Brisbane, I am going to continue to take him on in Top Runscorer betting when he is favourite. Marnus Labuschagne looked to be on his way to a big score in Brisbane before playing a silly shot, and I am confident that he will respond in Adelaide.
Back Australia to Win at $1.57
Back Marnus Labuschagne to be Australia’s Top Runscorer (1st Innings) at $3.50
Back Dawid Malan to be England’s Top Runscorer (1st Innings) at $5.00
Back Mitchell Starc to be Australia’s Top Wicket Taker (1st Innings) at $3.75
Back James Anderson to be England’s Top Wicket Taker (1st Innings) at $3.50
Content provided by Neds
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Australia to win at $1.57 odds.
Australia’s Top Runscorer (1st Innings)
Australia’s Top Runscorer (1st Innings) Marnus Labuschagne at $3.50.
