Australia v England tips, prediction & odds; Ashes 1st Test Preview

Welcome to our Australia v England tips, prediction and odds update ahead of the first Ashes Test at the GABBA, starting on Wednesday.

In what will be a welcome return to Test cricket, after covid decimated the fixtures since Australia lost to India in a cracking series last summer, Australia is a $1.33 favourite (with cricket betting sites) to defeat England in the best-of-five Test series.

England last played the longest format in September, when they were trailing 2-1 against India in England, with the series delayed until July next year after covid concerns made the visitors wary of playing the final match.

With the opening Ashes Test set to be played at the seam-friendly GABBA from Wednesday morning, both teams are in the final throes of their preparation, with the Aussies expected to retain Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon despite mixed form.

England is also expected to keep a settled line-up with left-arm spinner Jack Leach to play despite the temptation to play a fourth seamer in Brisbane. They have also included Ollie Pope in the line-up at the expense of Jonny Bairstow. Veteran seamer James Anderson has been ruled out with injury.

The clash will also mark the first time Patrick Cummins has captained his country after the well-publicised texting scandal involving Tim Payne, who appears to have played his last Test for his country. Alex Carey has been anointed Payne’s successor behind the stumps.

Ashes 1st Test teams

Australian XI:  David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc.

England squad: Joe Root (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

Australia v England 1st Test tips

Our cricket betting expert has run the rule over the 1st Test and found some value Australia v England tips:

Marnus Labuschagne man of the match

Australian No.3 Marnus Labuschagne has almost overtaken Smith as their most important batsman and he has started the summer strongly in the Shield competition. Labuschagne is a fiery customer, who seems to have a insatiable appetite for runs and a liking for the English attack. He is paying $8 to win man of the match honours and $15 to win player of the series. Well worth keeping safe in both of these Ashes betting markets.

Ollie Pope to top-score England first innings

We can see the Aussies rattling England early on in their first innings, with new captain Patrick Cummins to have an impact. We think it could be worth throwing something on Pope at decent odds ($9 with Sportsbet) to be the man to mount something of a rearguard action, with his technique suitable in Aussie conditions. Will he get a start though? With Jonny Bairstow his rival for the final batting position.

Ollie Robinson to take most wickets in Australia 1st innings

English quick Ollie Robinson has been super-impressive in his short time on the International scene and he and Jofra Archer are set to spearhead their attack for years to come. With Archer out, Anderson to miss the first Test because of injury he looms as the wildcard. Is quick and raw and could trouble the Aussies on a green deck. He is paying $3.75 to take most wickets in Australia’s first knock.

Australia v England 1st Test prediction

While much of the focus has been on the bowling attacks, we think this clash and ultimately the Ashes could come down to the batsmen. Both teams have some seriously strong bats in their line-up, although Australia with Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and the rapidly improving Cameron Green look to shade the visitors. If England captain Joe Root does not fire, something he has failed to do in the past in Aussie conditions, and Ben Stokes does not play to his potential they could be a little threadbare against the Australian team with an outstanding bowling line-up. Having said that, the Australians have played very little red ball cricket in recent times and look to have major queries up the top of the order, with David Warner’s disastrous Ashes series in England still fresh in minds and Marcus Harris yet to establish himself. Our final Australia v England prediction? Australia to take a 1-0 lead.

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