England can fight back in the second Test

We are doomed Sir, doomed!

The words of Fraser (not Angus) from Dad’s Army seem to ring true when it comes to the Ashes series. Bookmakers and the media seem to think that England are done for just because they lost the First Test though this might be an over-reaction.

Australia are 17/10 (bet365/BETVICTOR) favourites for the second Test at the Adelaide Oval where they have won 16 of the 30 previous meetings with England. England can take heart from the fact that they won by an innings and 71 runs when these two sides met back in 2010 in Adelaide. In recent series in New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka England have bounced back from poor showings in the first game to go on to win or tie the series. England are as big as 11/4 (bet365/betfred/paddy Power) to win the second Test in Australia which resumes on Wednesday night/Thursday morning and this looks on the generous side. The pitch in Adelaide should not favour Mitchell Johnson so much and should allow the English batsman time to play themselves into a bit of form. The draw does worry me a little with the rain scheduled for at least one day (Sunday) and the potential for showers on the Thursday. You can though eliminate the worry of the tie by backing England at 5/4 (GENERAL) in the draw no bet market. England have not become a bad team overnight and the team that won 3-0 in the summer can once again find some form in this second encounter.

Kevin Pietersen grabbed a double century last time these two sides met at this ground and he is 4/1 (STAN JAMESLADBROKES/WINNER) to finish as top English batsman in this game. Alastair Cook top scored in the first Test from an England perspective and he also grabbed a century last time he was here and he can be backed at 7/2 (WINNER/SPREADEX) to top score. In the absence of Jonathan Trott Ian Bell will likely move up to number three and he is 9/2 (GENERAL) to top score.

For Australia Michael Clarke put on a double century when Australia last played here in November 2012 and he can be backed at 3/1 (GENERAL) to top score. David Warner also got a century that day and top scored in the first Test and he is 17/4 (WINNER/SPREADEX) to get the most runs of the Australian batsman.

Stuart Broad, or the man they refuse to name, did most of the damage for England with the ball in the last test and he is 5/2 (william hill/BWIN) to be top England bowler this time around, which is the same price these two firms are going on James Anderson. The pitch will likely suit the spin bowlers so Graeme Swann has to be worth a little interest at 4/1 (GENERAL). Swann took five wickets in the second innings on his last appearance here and took four in a recent friendly with a Cricket Australia Chairman’s XI team so is in good form. If Swann can take the wickets then he might also be worth a little interest at 16/1 (GENERAL) in the man of the match market.

For Australia Mitchell Johnson is 5/2 (william hill/BWIN) to be top bowler after his dominant performance in the opening Test. Ryan Harris is also a 5/2 (GENERAL) chance while Peter Siddle who took six wickets last time Australia played here is a 7/2 (bet365/ladbrokes) option.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: England to win second Test (draw no bet) v Australia, 5/4 (GENERAL)
SILVER: Graeme Swann top England bowler, 4/1 (GENERAL)
BRONZE: Graeme Swann Man of the Match, 16/1 (GENERAL)

Go To bet365

#Ad

04/12/2013     © Frixo 2026