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The second Ashes Test takes place in Adelaide with England looking to get back on level terms.
Australia dominated the opening Test in Brisbane and they will be hoping to double their lead in what is the first Day-Night Ashes match-up.
England captain Joe Root is determined to get back on level terms.
“It’s important that our main focus is that we are ready for Adelaide and that we do the right work in preparation, and when we get our opportunities out on the field, we take them,” said Root.
“The most important thing is that we stay strong and tight as a group of players, and that we keep doing the hard work that we have done throughout the whole trip.
“For three days we played some excellent cricket, then unfortunately we got into some good positions and didn’t quite capitalise on it. We need to address some of the things we’ve learnt from this game.”
Root’s counterpart Steve Smith was focused on the Yorkshireman and he believes Australia have got into his mind.
“It was nice our plans [for Root] worked. I read something on Twitter the other day about a trend that’s been occurring with him since the start of 2016. He’s got out lbw a lot,” Smith said.
“It’s nice we are able to open up that side of his bat and I saw him working on it in the nets the other day so he’s trying to fix those issues. That’s tough to do in the middle of the series. So we’ll have some things going through his head out in the middle. That’s something we can play on out in the middle as well.”
Second Test
AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
TEAM NEWS: Moeen Ali is set to play but a finger injury means he might not be able to bowl. That aside both teams set to name the same XIs although Craig Overton could replace Jake Ball.
Australia XI: Steve Smith (captain) David Warner (vice-captain), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon
England XI: Joe Root (captain), James Anderson (vice-captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Dawid Malan, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes
KEY FACT: Australia have not lost since in Brisbane since the 1980s
MATCH ODDS: Australia 1/6 England 7/1 Draw 10/1
We spoke to BetFred’s Cricket trader Phil Crawford to get his view on the First Test
All the money has been for Australia both in the second Test and for 5-0 in the series, it doesn’t look like there will be any support for England at this stage.
It is clear the punters are right behind Australia at this stage of proceedings.
For us there doesn’t look like much real value for the second Test at this stage – it may pay to stick with the old favourites and have a Steven Smith/Joe Root Double for the Top Batsman markets.
Our Cricket expert Richard Waite, a former player and now a highly regarded coach, is currently Hong Kong women’s and development coach
I think a lot relies on whether Alistair Cook spends some time at the crease.
England will find it hard against the pace under the lights with the pink ball.
Craig Overton may replace Jake Ball, but it is unlikely.
I can see Australia to win on 4th morning. England to fail to reach 500 overall in both innings and I can see Ben Stokes to be added for 3rd test.
