England can draw on 2010 Gabba comeback to save 1st Test
Published:Yes, the English batsmen’s impression of dominoes at the Gabba has left the tourists reaching for the paddle after day two of the first Ashes Test, behind by 224 runs at the close of play.
And if Alastair Cook’s side do manage to locate said paddle by making some inroads with the ball on day three, then it may even be wise to employ it as a makeshift bat, as their own pieces of willow are clearly faulty.
However, punters looking for a way of salvaging something from the wreckage (who did not foresee a monumental England batting collapse) should perhaps turn the clocks back for a minute to the first Test of the last Ashes series Down Under at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.
Faced with similar adversity after another woeful first innings display with the bat, in which England had conspired to lose three wickets in as many balls to finish on 260 all out, they still managed to rescue a draw.
At present, that result is priced at 11/2 with Ladbrokes, but it could yet yield dividends, while the Australians are understandably strong 1/8 favourites and England are the 20/1 outsiders for victory.
Three years ago Australia actually finished with a bigger first innings lead than they forged here, as their 481 saw them 221 in front, whereas this time around it was a difference of 159.
Furthermore, eight members of the England side which went on to compile a match-saving total of 517 at the Gabba are still present here in 2013.
Despite the deluge of wickets on days one and two of this Test, everyone in the commentary boxes has repeated the fact that the track is a ‘belter’ to bat on, meaning that with the required levels of composure, a batting side could easily hang around.
Of course, so much depends on England’s bowlers doing damage early on day three, but with some storms forecast for the Brisbane area, history repeating itself is perhaps not the most unlikely thing in the world.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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