Australia vs England Odds: We predict 6/1 Dawid Malan to shine again in Adelaide

The five match Ashes series continues on December 16th and we have enlisted our cricket specialist @OddsTerrier to preview the 2nd test and pick out a few attractive propositions for your betting needs.

Mmm... that one didn't go to plan did it? The first test at the Gabba ended after three and a half days with a comprehensive victory for the hosts, winning by nine wickets after another England batting collapse. The promised rain never materialised and several questionable decisions from England captain Joe Root left many wondering what could have been.

First leaving out Jimmy Anderson, and then his accomplice Stuart Broad, on a green-topped pitch in favour of spinner Jack Leach looked an odd one at the time and was magnified when Leach was spanked for 102 off only 13 overs. Stranger still was Root's decision to bat first under overcast skies - a decision he would live to rue when England collapsed to 29/4 before recovering to 147 all out in a first innings that defined the test. 

Two positives England can take from the massacre in Brisbane was the spirited fightback shown by Root and Dawid Malan in a fantastic 162 run 3rd wicket partnership. Another big plus was the bowling of Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson (who we tipped up last week) at the start of the Aussies first innings.

There are now massive decisions for Root and the selectors to make ahead of the 2nd test - A day night test, under the lights at the Adelaide Oval. Do they bring back Anderson and/or Broad and who misses out as a result. 

Team News and likely teams:

Australia are definitely without paceman Josh Hazlewood with a side strain who will be replaced by Jhye Richardson or Michael Neser. They are also sweating on the fitness of opener David Warner with a rib injury. Should he not recover in time then it's likely Usman Khawaja will take his place.

Australia: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jhye Richardson.

England have big decisions to make on the bowling front. Chris Silverwood has confirmed both Anderson and Broad are fully fit and have been practicing with the pink ball. I would expect England to play both and to rest Mark Wood who they will be trying to nurse for later tests. I'd also be surprised if Jack Leach starts after his mauling in Brisbane. 

England: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.

First pick up we've got Marnus Labaschagne to score over 36.5 runs in the Australian first innings. The 27-year-old has been on a ridiculous run of form in test match cricket since coming into the team as a concussion substitute back in 2019. He averages over 61 with the bat in his 33 innings and has 11 fifties and five hundreds in that time. 

He scored 74 in the first innings at Brisbane and looked so comfortable. His judgment of line and length and ability to leave the ball (admittedly extravagantly) marked him out from others who struggled on the surface. He excels in the 1st innings where he averages 81.94 and has scored over 36.5 runs in his last ten test first innings against top quality bowling in New Zealand, India and England. I like the 5/6 on him at Paddy Power and this will be my main pick of the second test.

With Josh Hazlewood out injured there will be extra responsibility placed on the shoulders of Mitchell Starc, and in particular, Aussie Captain Pat Cummins. Cummins looked in superb form at the Gabba taking seven wickets in the test and a fiver-for in the first innings. He should be boosted by taking the new ball under lights and I can see him causing big problems for the England top order again. 28-year-old Cummins averages a little over 21 with the ball in tests and is justifiably the number one bower in the world.

You can get Cummins at 9/4 with bet365 to be the leading wicket taker in the England 1st innings. 

Our last pick comes in the form of England left-hander Dawid Malan. Malan looked in great nick in the second innings which is sure to boost his confidence ahead of the second test. He is happy to graft through an innings and seems to be more judgemental than some other England batsmen which tents to protect his wicket.

The 34-year-old South African born Malan has a very calm temperament and I can see his test average rising up past its current 29. I really like the 6/1 on offer for Malan to top score in the 1st innings here and will be having a small stake on him to do so. 

As always, if you do decide to follow these selections please stick to your limits and bet responsibly.