Betting Advice

The Ashes Second Test – Pink ball, shifting pressure and where the value lies

Last Updated: 17:02 GMT+2, Wed 3 December 2025. Written by Dylan Johnson

Australia take a 1–0 lead to Brisbane and head into the second Ashes Test as clear favourites with Betway pricing them at 1.52 to win. England are 2.70, with the draw way out at 18.00, reflecting the expectation of a result under lights at the Gabba.

This is Australia’s best format. Home Tests, pink ball, and a settled attack led by Mitchell Starc, who already has a 10-wicket haul from Perth and an outstanding day-night record.

England, by contrast, arrive with questions over their batting method and a slightly experimental XI that includes Will Jacks as frontline spinner and batting insurance at No. 8.

Match result and double chance

Given the way the first Test finished inside two days, the market is again leaning heavily towards a decisive outcome.

Australia 1.52

England 2.70

Draw 18.00

The double chance markets back that up:

Australia or draw 1.40

Australia or England 1.04

Draw or England 2.35

The Playbook: How to bet on cricket

If you think the pink ball brings England into it more than Perth did, Draw or England at 2.35 is the main counter-position. But with Australia’s day-night record and England’s collapses in Perth, Australia straight at 1.52 or Australia or England at 1.04 remain the safer anchors.

Batting markets: hundreds, fifties and top batter

The Gabba pitch is expected to be quicker than Perth but may slow as the ball softens. Under lights, new-ball movement is still likely, so batting timing matters.

Any player to score 100 (match): Yes 1.27, No 3.50

Any player to score 50 (match): No 12.00

1st innings any player 50+: Yes 1.09, No 6.25

1st innings any player 100+: Yes 2.05, No 1.65

MORE: Understanding cricket markets – runs, wickets and overs

Across four competitive innings, at least one half-century is highly probable, so the value sits more in first-innings century – No at 1.65 if you expect early movement and cautious batting.

For Team with Top Batter:

Australia 1.80

England 1.90

Australia’s top order looks more stable, even without Usman Khawaja. Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head all have strong home records, so Australia at 1.80 to provide the match’s top batter is a logical lean, especially if England’s risk-heavy approach continues.

Player of the match: where the prices point

Betway’s Player of the Match odds underline how the conditions should shape the game:

Starc 6.50

Boland 8.50

Lyon 9.50

Smith 8.25

Head 9.50

Labuschagne 10.50

Root 13.00

Stokes / Archer 12.50

Green 11.50

On a pink-ball deck with swing on offer, Starc at 6.50 is the standout. If the game goes deep into a fourth innings, Lyon at 9.50 becomes more attractive, but with talk of Australia even considering four quicks, seam remains the first angle.

From England’s side, Root at 13.00 is the clearest path: if England level the series, it is hard to see it happening without a big contribution from him.

Tie and draw-no-bet angles

A tie remains 14.50 – more a novelty than a realistic play.

In draw no bet:

Australia 1.45

England 2.60

If you want protection against a weather or light-affected draw but still back the hosts, Australia draw-no-bet at 1.45 is a tidy compromise.

The takeaway

This Test leans towards Australia, seam and Starc. Pink-ball volatility keeps England alive, but the more reliable angles are Australia match markets, Australia top batter, and bowler-driven Player of the Match picks, with Starc the primary candidate.

For more on cricket, go to SACricketMag

Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images