Australia vs. England- Second Ashes Test Preview

And onto Adelaide we go.

The second Ashes Test begins in a few hours, and after the first five days’ proceedings there are still a lot of questions being asked of the hosts.

While the fact remains that things are still on an even keel score-wise, many are already beginning to predict the demise of Australia’s dominancy of the game.

England fought back superbly on days four and five in the first Test, but they are going to have to build on their hard-won momentum to deliver more pain to the pride battered hosts.

For those looking for all out action and twenty wickets, a lot is going to have to be done in this match to please.

Given the state of the pitch down south, a victory will be hard work here given that most experts believe it to be even flatter than that at the Gabba.

The game that took place in Adelaide four years ago is considered both a dream and a nightmare- depending who you talk to, and England will be hoping that history will not repeat itself.

England entered the final day at 1 for 59, with a lead of 97 and a chance to push for victory, but managed to collapse in a heap at the hands of the bleached blonde spin wizard Shane Warne. England never recovered and the result laid the tone for a 5-0 whitewash.

Australia's bowling contingent came under serious scrutiny following their display at the Gabba, with the news confirmed by Ricky Ponting this morning of the axing of Mitchell Johnson.

His place will be taken by either Ryan Harris or Doug Bollinger, although the latter is the more likely. Some fresh bodies in the line up might provide the Australian attack with the kick they are looking for here. However, with Bollinger comes the loss of a somewhat effective batsman in Johnson.

Australia (probable) 1 Simon Katich, 2 Shane Watson, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Marcus North, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Xavier Doherty, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Ben Hilfenhaus, 11 Doug Bollinger.

England (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Ian Bell, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steven Finn.

For the betting man Australia’s tried and tested duo of Ponting and Hussey are key.

Ponting showed his class in the second innings earlier in the week scoring an unbeaten 50 and will be confident he can put it over the old foe yet again in Adelaide. That coupled with the phenomenal record in Adelaide make him a real contender to top score.

For England, Trott and Strauss both look like a good bet for top scorers. Cook shined in the last test, however Trott’s hundred went largely unnoticed and one would imagine that he will be looking to get out there today and savour some of the spotlight.

England’s bowlers will have to work hard here over the next five days, however with a solid and more importantly settled lineup in Broad, Anderson, Finn and Swann- the visitors look a lot more settled and threatening unit.

The bookmakers have this match set as a draw, and a flurry on anything else prior to the first day will prove lucrative.

Betting Prediction: Trott to top score in England’s first innings