While both Australia and England have both come under scrutiny for being below their best, the hosts were big favourites coming into the match. There was some quiet optimism about England’s chances, and for two and a half days it seemed that positivity is justified. However, a fine rear-guard century from Steve Smith and a first innings collapse from England handed the initiative to the hosts. Australia never looked back and romped to a convincing 10-wicket victory. As we compare odds on cricket, England will need to bounce back if they are to get into the series and avoid an embarrassing series defeat.
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As we delve into the second Test betting tips in finer detail, our betting tips suggest that the hosts will continue their dominance from the end of game one, and double their lead in Adelaide. England will take plenty of positives from the match despite what ended up a comprehensive defeat for the tourists. Runs for Mark Stoneman, James Vince and Dawid Malan will have settled the nerves of the under-fire English batsman, while James Anderson and Stuart Broad showed their class with the new Kookaburra ball. Concerns will be raised over the form of ex-captain Alastair Cook who was out cheaply in both innings, while the lack of penetration and wicket-taking threat from England after the shine comes off the new ball will be perhaps the most worrying. England have not enjoyed victory at Brisbane since 1988 so do not attribute a poor performance in the first Test to winning the series, but will need to buck their ideas up if they are to prevent a series loss.
England answered a lot of questions early on with runs for the struggling top-order batsmen, but left plenty unanswered when it came to their lower order collapse and lack of threat with the ball in the second innings. Australia meanwhile hung on while England were on top in the match and then won the key moments to take the game. Australia will know they didn’t play as well as they could have done and still came away with a comfortable win. This will only spur the hosts on as they look to build their lead and take control of the series.
If anybody questioned not only the ability of Steve Smith, but also the mettle of the Australian captain, he proved it in droves in the first Test match. An unbeaten 141 from the world’s number one batsman showed a mix of class and determination and not only helped settle his side down after a shaky start, but then propel the hosts to an unlikely first innings lead; a lead which ultimately proved the difference in whether Australia won or lost the first Test match. For the Aussies to enjoy a continued period of success, Smith must continue his fine form and continue to lead by example in this series.