{"id":4322,"date":"2017-11-22T16:34:54","date_gmt":"2017-11-22T16:34:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blnebeuk.serveur04.com\/blog\/?p=4322"},"modified":"2017-11-22T16:34:54","modified_gmt":"2017-11-22T16:34:54","slug":"the-ashes-first-test-predictions-betting-tips-and-match-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.netbet.co.uk\/blog\/2017\/11\/22\/the-ashes-first-test-predictions-betting-tips-and-match-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ashes First Test Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>
\"\"
Iconsport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All the pre-series hype ends at around midnight British time on Wednesday night when the first ball is bowled in the Ashes series. The Gabba in Brisbane is the venue for the first Test and it\u2019s been aptly nicknamed \u201cThe Gabbatoir\u201d in the build-up, such has been the home side\u2019s dominance at the ground in recent years.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been almost 30 years since an Australian side lost a Test match in Brisbane and England haven\u2019t won there since Mike Gatting\u2019s successful tour back in 1986. Other memories of the ground include Steve Harmison\u2019s wayward first ball in the 2006\/07 series and Mitchell Johnson\u2019s spell of dominance in the last series where he caused what\u2019s known Down Under as \u201cmental disintegration\u201d on the English batsmen.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a different series this time around though as there are few survivors on both sides from the last series in Australia four years ago. There is also real hope for England, despite the loss of Ben Stokes due to an off-field issue. The teams are much closer than first thought, with the Australian selectors having made some odd choices in picking batsmen for the series, while England themselves have questions over their own batting order. Australia are arguably stronger in the bowling department, with Mitchell Starc having bagged two hat-tricks in the same game recently. Their weakness though is that all three pace bowlers come into the series with injury doubts, something that England don\u2019t currently have.<\/p>\n

It promises to be a compelling series for fans wanting to pull an all-nighter and watch some top cricket over the next couple of months!<\/p>\n

Ashes First Test Predictions<\/h2>\n

On England\u2019s last successful tour of Australia in 2010\/11, England scraped a draw in the game which boosted confidence for the rest of the series. However, last time around, England got battered and bruised by Mitchell Johnson in Brisbane which dented morale for the other four games. A good start is essential for a successful tour and a draw here isn\u2019t out of the question if England get runs on the board.<\/p>\n

Ashes First Test Betting Tips<\/h2>\n