by The Ashes 2025-26 series has started exactly how Australia wanted. They crushed England by 8 wickets in the 1st Test at Perth.
Mitchell Starc’s incredible 7-wicket haul destroyed England’s batting. Travis Head’s brilliant century sealed the victory.
Now the series moves to The Gabba in Brisbane for the 2nd Test. Australia leads 1-0 and looks confident. England? They’re already in trouble.
The match began this morning. England won the toss and chose to bat first.
Bad decision? Maybe. They’re already 32/2 after just 8 overs. Zak Crawley is fighting on 25, and Joe Root just came in on 7.
Mitchell Starc struck early again. He removed Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope quickly.
England’s top order is crumbling under pressure. Australia’s fast bowlers are enjoying The Gabba’s famous bounce and pace.
Australia vs England Ashes 2nd Test Day 1 Odds
This Australia vs England Ashes 2nd Test Day 1 Odds & Prediction on 04 Dec 2025 guide breaks down everything you need to know about today’s play, betting odds, team strategies, and who will dominate.
Match Facts: AUS vs ENG 2nd Ashes Test
| Match Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams | Australia vs England |
| Match | 2nd Test Match |
| Series | The Ashes 2025-26 |
| Series Status | Australia leads 1-0 |
| Date | Thursday, December 4, 2025 |
| Time (IST) | 09:30 AM |
| Time (GMT) | 04:00 AM |
| Time (Local) | 02:00 PM |
| Venue | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| City | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Match Status | Day 1 in progress |
| Current Score | England 32/2 (8 overs) |
Tournament Context:
The Ashes is cricket’s oldest and most intense rivalry. Five Test matches decide who holds the famous urn. Australia won the 1st Test convincingly. They need 3 more wins or draws to retain the Ashes. England must win at least 3 Tests to regain the trophy.
Australia vs England Ashes 2nd Test Day 1 Odds: Betting Analysis
Bookmakers heavily favor Australia for this match. Here’s what the odds look like across major betting platforms:
| Betting Platform | Australia Win Odds | England Win Odds | Toss Odds (AUS) | Toss Odds (ENG) | 1st Innings Lead (AUS) | 1st Innings Lead (ENG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.40 | 3.10 | 1.92 | 1.92 | 1.75 | 2.20 |
| Stake | 1.37 | 2.90 | 1.90 | 1.90 | 1.70 | 2.10 |
| BetVibe | 1.38 | 2.95 | 1.91 | 1.91 | 1.72 | 2.12 |
| 4RABET | 1.35 | 3.00 | 1.88 | 1.88 | 1.68 | 2.05 |
What These Odds Mean in Simple Language:
- Australia Win Odds (1.35-1.40): Bookmakers believe Australia has 70-75% chance of winning. If you bet ₹100 on Australia and they win, you get back only ₹135-140 total. Low returns because Australia is a heavy favorite.
- England Win Odds (2.90-3.10): England gets 25-30% winning chance from bookies. If you bet ₹100 on England and they somehow win, you get ₹290-310 back. Higher returns because it’s unlikely to be upset.
- First Innings Lead: Australia is favored to score more in the first innings too (odds 1.68-1.75). This shows bookies think Australia will dominate with the bat first, not just win the overall match.
Why Australia Are Such Strong Favorites:
- ✅ Playing at home in Brisbane (The Gabba is their fortress)
- ✅ Won 1st Test convincingly by 8 wickets
- ✅ Mitchell Starc in incredible form (7 wickets in 1st Test)
- ✅ Travis Head scored a brilliant century last match
- ✅ England already 32/2 today (early trouble confirms concerns)
- ✅ Missing key bowlers, but depth is strong
Team Form & Confidence Comparison
| Factor | Australia | England | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series Position | Leading 1-0 | Trailing 0-1 | Australia clearly |
| Recent Form | Won last Test by 8 wickets | Lost by 8 wickets | Australia dominates |
| Batting Performance | Travis Head 123, Labuschagne 51 | Brook 52, Pope 46 (but team collapsed) | Australia stronger |
| Bowling Performance | Starc 7/58, Boland 4/33 | Stokes 5/23 (good but team lost) | Australia better |
| Current Match Status | Took 2 wickets already (32/2) | Lost 2 wickets early | Australia control |
| Home Advantage | Playing at The Gabba (fortress) | Away from conditions unfamiliar | Australia massive edge |
| Team Confidence | Sky high after big win | Under pressure, desperate | Australia confident |
| Injury Concerns | Missing Cummins, Hazlewood | Full strength available | Balanced |
Key Observations:
Australia’s confidence is through the roof. They demolished England in Perth. Now at The Gabba (where they rarely lose), they’re unstoppable.
England started well by winning the toss. But choosing to bat first backfired immediately. Losing 2 wickets in 8 overs puts enormous pressure on Root and Crawley.
The Gabba Pitch Report: What to Expect
The Gabba in Brisbane is famous for helping fast bowlers. Here’s the complete pitch analysis:
| Pitch Factor | Day 1-2 Behavior | Day 3-5 Behavior | Impact on Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Type | Hard, lively surface | Starts cracking | Pace dominates early |
| Bounce | Steep, uneven bounce | Becomes unpredictable | Batters must be careful |
| Seam Movement | Significant movement early | Reduces from Day 3 | First session crucial |
| Pace | Fast, carries to the keeper | Stays quick throughout | Fast bowlers love it |
| Batting Difficulty | Very difficult early | Easier Day 2-3, tough Day 4-5 | Get through the new ball |
| Value for Shots | Risk early, rewards later | Good for batting Day 2-3 | Patience needed |
| Spin Help | Minimal Day 1-2 | Some turn on Day 4-5 | Nathan Lyon factors late |
| Boundary Sizes | Straight: longer, Square: shorter | Same throughout | Horizontal shots better |
Simple Translation for Fans:
- Day 1 (Today): Nightmare for batters. The ball bounces unpredictably. Moves sideways. Fast bowlers are kings.
- Day 2-3: Pitch settles down. Batting becomes easier. Good time to score big runs.
- Day 4-5: Pitch cracks appear. Batting gets tough again. Spin starts working.
- Strategy: Teams batting first must survive today. If they can reach 250+, they’re in a good position. Teams batting second get slightly easier conditions Day 2.
Weather Report: Perfect Cricket Conditions
| Weather Factor | Forecast | Impact on Play |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 28°C | Warm but comfortable |
| Sky Conditions | Mostly sunny | Full day’s play expected |
| Rain Chance | 10-15% (very low) | Minimal interruption risk |
| Humidity | 55% | Comfortable for players |
| Wind Speed | 12-15 km/h (gentle breeze) | Slight swing help for bowlers |
| Overall | Ideal cricket weather | No delays expected |
Good News: Full day’s play is almost guaranteed. No rain expected. Sunny conditions mean pitch will stay fast and bouncy.
AUS vs ENG 2nd Test Day 1 Playing 11: Confirmed Lineups
Australia Playing XI:
| Position | Player | Role | Why Important |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Usman Khawaja | Opener | Experienced, solid starter |
| 2 | Jake Weatherald | Opener | Replaces the injured player |
| 3 | Marnus Labuschagne | Top-order | Scored 51 in 1st Test |
| 4 | Steve Smith (c) | Middle-order | Captain, legend, 10,477 Test runs |
| 5 | Travis Head | Middle-order | Match-winner, scored 123 last match |
| 6 | Cameron Green | All-rounder | Batting depth + bowling option |
| 7 | Alex Carey (wk) | Wicketkeeper | Good with bat lower order |
| 8 | Mitchell Starc | Fast bowler | 7 wickets last match, on fire |
| 9 | Nathan Lyon | Spinner | 562 Test wickets, experienced |
| 10 | Brendan Doggett | Fast bowler | Took 2 wickets + 3 wickets in 1st Test |
| 11 | Scott Boland | Fast bowler | 4 wickets in 2nd innings last match |
Key Players: Starc (bowling), Head (batting), Smith (experience), Lyon (spin)
England Playing XI:
| Position | Player | Role | Why Important |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zak Crawley | Opener | Currently batting (25*) |
| 2 | Ben Duckett | Opener | OUT already (Starc got him) |
| 3 | Ollie Pope | Top-order | OUT already (Starc got him) |
| 4 | Joe Root | Middle-order | Currently batting (7*), 13,543 Test runs |
| 5 | Harry Brook | Middle-order | Scored 52 in 1st Test |
| 6 | Ben Stokes (c) | All-rounder | Captain, took 5/23 bowling last match |
| 7 | Jacob Bethell | Middle-order | Young talent |
| 8 | Will Jacks | All-rounder | Batting depth |
| 9 | Gus Atkinson | Fast bowler | Scored 37 batting last match |
| 10 | Jofra Archer | Fast bowler | Pace weapon, 51 Test wickets |
| 11 | Brydon Carse | Fast bowler | Took 2 wickets + 3 wickets in 1st Test |
Additional Squad: Jamie Smith (wk), Shoaib Bashir, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood
Key Players: Root (batting), Stokes (captain + all-rounder), Archer (pace), Carse (bowling)
Deep Match Analysis: Key Factors
Key Bowlers to Watch:
Australia’s Bowling Attack:
- Mitchell Starc (Left-arm fast):
- Already took 2 wickets today (Duckett, Pope)
- Took 7/58 + 3/55 in 1st Test (10 wickets total!)
- Swings ball both ways
- Deadly with new ball
- Danger Level: EXTREME
- Scott Boland (Right-arm fast):
- Took 4/33 in 2nd innings last match
- Accurate line and length
- Exploits bounce at The Gabba
- Danger Level: HIGH
- Nathan Lyon (Off-spinner):
- 562 Test wickets (experienced)
- Will be crucial Day 4-5 when pitch cracks
- Danger Level: MEDIUM (early), HIGH (later)
England’s Bowling Attack:
- Jofra Archer (Fast bowler):
- Genuine pace (150+ km/h)
- Can trouble Australian batters with bounce
- Took 2/11 in 1st Test
- Danger Level: HIGH
- Ben Stokes (All-rounder):
- Took brilliant 5/23 in 1st Test
- Can swing ball
- Captain’s tactical bowling
- Danger Level: HIGH
- Brydon Carse (Fast bowler):
- Took 2/44 + 3/45 in 1st Test (5 wickets total)
- Rising star
- Danger Level: MEDIUM-HIGH
Key Batters to Watch:
Australia’s Batting:
- Travis Head:
- Scored match-winning 123 in 1st Test
- Attacks aggressively
- Counter-attacks when under pressure
- Impact Level: MATCH-WINNER
- Steve Smith:
- 10,477 Test runs, 36 centuries
- Unorthodox but effective
- Thrives at The Gabba
- Impact Level: CRUCIAL
- Marnus Labuschagne:
- Scored 51 in 1st Test
- Technically solid
- Wears down bowlers
- Impact Level: IMPORTANT
England’s Batting:
- Joe Root:
- 13,543 Test runs, 39 centuries
- England’s best batter
- Currently batting on 7* (crucial innings needed)
- Impact Level: ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL
- Zak Crawley:
- Currently on 25* (fighting hard)
- If he gets 50+, England has chance
- Impact Level: VERY IMPORTANT TODAY
- Ben Stokes:
- Captain + all-rounder
- Can turn matches with bat
- 7,032 Test runs
- Impact Level: GAME-CHANGER
AUS vs ENG 2nd Test Match Prediction: Who Wins?
Predicted Winner: Australia (75% Chance)
Why Australia Will Win:
- ✅ Early Wickets: Already got Duckett and Pope (England 32/2)
- ✅ Home Advantage: The Gabba is an Australian fortress
- ✅ Bowling Form: Starc is unplayable right now
- ✅ Batting Depth: Head, Smith, Labuschagne all in form
- ✅ Momentum: Crushing 1st Test win gives huge confidence
- ✅ Pitch Suits Them: The Gabba’s pace and bounce favor Aussie quicks
How England Can Win (25% Chance):
- Root and Crawley must build a 150+ partnership today
- Score 350+ in the first innings (currently looks impossible)
- Archer and Stokes must bowl like legends
- Luck with dropped catches or weather interruptions
- Need Australia to collapse batting (hasn’t happened yet)
Most Likely Scenario:
- England gets bowled out for 200-250 today/tomorrow
- Australia responds with 350-400 (Head and Smith score big)
- England collapses second innings under pressure
- Australia wins by innings or 150+ runs
Risk Factors:
- ⚠️ For Australia: Complacency (they’re dominating, might relax)
- ⚠️ For England: Mental collapse (already rattled at 32/2)
- ⚠️ Pitch: Unpredictable bounce can hurt both teams
- ⚠️ Injuries: Any key player getting hurt changes everything
Final Verdict: Australia Dominating, England Desperate
The Australia vs England Ashes 2nd Test Day 1 Odds & Prediction on 04 Dec 2025 clearly favors the home team.
Australia is playing like champions. Mitchell Starc’s bowling is devastating. Travis Head’s batting is fearless. Steve Smith provides stability. The Gabba pitch suits their style perfectly.
England is fighting for survival. At 32/2 after 8 overs, they’re already in deep trouble. Root and Crawley must produce something special today. Otherwise, Australia will take a 2-0 series lead.
Betting odds reflect reality: Australia 1.35-1.40 (strong favorites), England 2.90-3.10 (massive underdogs). Unless Root plays innings of his life and scores 150+, England faces another heavy defeat.
For cricket fans, expect exciting fast bowling, tense batting struggles, and Australia marching toward another Ashes victory. The rivalry continues, but right now, only one team looks like the winner! 🏏🔥
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