Australia’s dominance set to continue at Brisbane stronghold
Published:The talking finally stops on Thursday morning as the Ashes get underway in Brisbane and Australia can draw first blood at a venue which is traditionally a stronghold for the home side.
It’s comes as no surprise that Cricket Australia hold the first Test of any Australian series at the Gabba, considering no Aussie side has tasted defeat at the venue since 1998.
Since the West Indies were victorious 15 years ago, the Aussies have an astonishing record in Brisbane, playing 24 Tests, winning 17 and drawing seven.
Traditionally, the Gabba is a home from home for Australia.
Brisbane’s sub-tropical conditions and the pace and bounce on offer from the Gabba wicket presents the sternest test to any touring side and England are no different.
Australia’s record against England in Queensland makes remarkable reading, with no English touring side tasting victory since 1986 when the Aussies were weakened by the infamous rebel tours of South Africa.
The last time the two teams met in Brisbane, it was Andy Flower’s side who secured a momentum-changing draw after conceding a first innings lead of 221.
Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott were the heroes that day, putting on a magnificent unbeaten 329-run partnership as England declared on 517-1 to secure the draw, but it was Australia who dominated much of that opening Test.
Since then, Michael Clarke’s side have thrashed New Zealand by nine-wickets at the Gabba and also secured a draw against the number one side in the world, South Africa.
After being on the losing side in the last four Ashes series, Australia will be desperate to come out on top this time against the old enemy and there is no better place to start than the Gabba.
Clarke’s side are 15/8 with Ladbrokes to stretch their 27-year unbeaten run over England with victory at the venue, while it is 11/8 for a repeat of the 2010 draw between the two sides.
But with the Aussie’s dominant record at Brisbane in mind, the Australia draw no bet option at 5/6 with the bookmaker could be a steal.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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