Ashes

Ashes Second Test Odds & Predictions: Hosts Favourites To Extend Series Lead

8 hours ago

| BY Sam Cox

The Second Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series gets underway on Thursday. A day/night match with the pink ball, cricket betting markets make Australia overwhelming favourites to take a commanding 2-0 lead.

The hosts have a dominant record in pink-ball Tests. In 13 pink-ball Tests in Australia, they have won 12, two of which were won by an innings, and three others won by more than 250 runs. England’s record is much less formidable in day/night Tests, including emphatic losses in 2021-22.

An 11-day break after the premature conclusion of the First Test has given England time to recuperate and recover from the shellshock of Travis Head’s brutal fourth-innings century in Perth. The tourists faced criticism for not playing a pink-ball match in Canberra, though the standard of the contest – and the low bounce of the pitch – more than justified that call.

Instead, Ben Stokes and co. headed to the quicker, bouncier pitches of Brisbane to get some pink-ball practice in. After two shaky performances with the bat, England have opted to lengthen their batting lineup with Will Jacks in place of the injured Mark Wood.

Despite positive signs in training, Australia have not named Pat Cummins in their squad for the Second Test. Josh Hazlewood might be out for the series.

Usman Khawaja has been ruled out through back spasms, perhaps making selection easier for Australia. It seems a no-brainer to keep Head at the top of the order and bring Beau Webster or Josh Inglis into the middle order.

Timing is Everything

Timing often defines day/night Tests. Batting against the pink ball under lights can prove almost impossible if Mitchell Starc is steaming in. Australia are likely to have similar issues against England’s quartet of quicks.

The team batting first on Thursday might look to get their innings over with quickly and have a crack at the opposing top order under the lights. It could, once again, be a Test match on fast forward.

Stuart Broad has described pink-ball Tests as a ‘lottery’ and while it’s not completely random, it feels like luck plays a greater part than in the traditional format. Conditions can fluctuate dramatically depending on the time of day, with a new pink ball proving difficult to play at any stage.

Ashes 2nd Test Best Bets

Harry Brook Top England Batter (16/5)
Mitchell Starc Top Australia Bowler (11/10)
England Under 23.5 Runs at Fall of First Wicket (5/6)

Harry Brook was the most comfortable of England’s specialist batters in the First Test. It was a domineering performance in the first innings, with Brook smacking all the Australian quicks around the park.

He should be coming to the crease once the pink ball has become a little less dangerous in Brisbane. Don’t be surprised if we get another rapid 50 from England’s number five.

Starc’s selection doesn’t take much of an explanation. He averages less than 18 with the ball in pink-ball Tests – his 81 wickets are 38 more than any other player. A true specialist of this format, he’s a lock for at least three first-inning wickets.

The under on England’s opening partnership goes hand-in-hand with Starc’s brilliance. At least one of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will succumb to Starc with the new ball.