After suffering a heavy defeat in the first Ashes Test at The Gabba, England will be hoping the potential return of their star pace duo can help them to victory in the day-night clash at Adelaide Oval and level the series.
England’s fragile batting was the main cause for concern during that nine-wicket defeat in the opener, with a dismal 147 in the first innings followed by an improved score of 297 – although the tourists lost 8-74 in the second innings.
Joe Root’s knock of 89 and Dawid Malan’s 82 has offered some hope for the Three Lions heading into the Adelaide clash, but it will be interesting to see how they deal with the pink ball being used in the day-night Test.
Generally, the pink ball provides more swing and although this may not be great news for the batsman, it should at least provide a boost for the bowlers and the second Test could prove to be a case of who bowls best.
Pace Duo to Return
After leaving both James Anderson and Stuart Broad out of the starting XI for The Gabba defeat, the seamers are expected to be included in the side for the second Test, especially given the fact Mark Wood has been left out of the 12-man squad for this contest.
Wood was one of England’s best bowlers during the opening defeat, but his workload is being managed due to his injury history over recent years and this should allow both Anderson and Broad to play.
Head coach Chris Silverwood could decide to keep spinner Jack Leach in, meaning one of Broad, Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Chris Woakes would miss out, although the 30-year-old got some tap in the first match and could be taken out of the firing line despite pitch conditions looking spinner friendly.
There is also the fact captain Root is more than capable with the ball, providing a spin option if required, and it would be a surprise if England don’t go with the four main seamers and then all-rounder Ben Stokes as a fifth.
Anderson is set to return to the ground where he took 5-48 under lights three years ago and he can be backed at 5/2 to be England’s top wicket-taker in the first innings, while Broad is 3/1 and Robinson is 11/2.
Change in Australia Attack
Australia have been forced to make a change to their bowling attack following the injury to Josh Hazlewood, whose fitness is being monitored ahead of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Two-Test Jhye Richardson has been confirmed as his replacement, being preferred to the uncapped pace veteran Michael Neser, and he joins Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and spinner Nathan Lyon in the attack.
At 1.78m, Richardson generates a lot of pace due to his height and he could be a real threat if he manages to rediscover the form from his impressive debut series against Sri Lanka in 2019.
The 25-year-old took six wickets from the two Tests, only to then suffer a setback when he dislocated his shoulder in a fielding mishap against Pakistan’s one-day side soon after his debut in the longest format of the game.
At 11/4, Richardson looks like a good price to be Australia’s top wicket-taker in the first innings, while captain Cummins at 9/4 also looks a good shout after his impressive form with the ball in the first Test.
Australia are also expected to have batsman David Warner available for selection, the opener overcoming a rib issue picked up in the first match, and his presence at the top of the order could be huge again.
England to Fall Short
Although England should have more success with the ball with the potential return of both Anderson and Broad, they are still understrength in the batting department and it is hard to see them posting a big score.
So much pressure is on Root to deliver, something Australia are fully aware of, and if the skipper departs early then England usually suffer a collapse, which was seen in both innings’ at The Gabba.
It is no surprise to see Australia 8/15 favourites to win the contest, while the draw is priced at 23/4 and the Three Lions are 49/20 to level the series.
*All odds correct at time of writing.