The Ashes: Australia vs England 2nd Test – Copybet
After Australia wrapped up a victory in double-quick time in Perth, England are looking to bounce back in Brisbane, with the second Test starting on Thursday at 4am GMT.
The home side have the early advantage in the five-match series, but the tourists will be determined to put on an improved showing at The Gabba.
Australia vs England
Under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, England have often responded to poor performances and they will expect the squad to lift their levels in Brisbane.
The first Test could have been a much different story, especially when you consider England held a 40-run lead after the first innings.
The tourists have to take the positives from that defeat in Perth and hope the day-night conditions at the Gabba work in their favour.
With Pat Cummins again missing and Josh Hazlewood also looking doubtful, the Australia bowling line up will not be at its strongest.
England will be without Mark Wood, but the other seamers should relish bowling with a pink ball, which should swing and skid.
The big question is whether the batters give them a big enough total to defend, as England’s Bazball-style tries to take the game away from the hosts.
Australia vs England
With Durham’s Wood absent due to a knee issue, Jofra Archer will be England’s express paceman and will open the bowling.
The 30-year-old took the scalps of both Australian openers in the first innings in Perth and he will play a big role to peg back the hosts.
As often happens though, the captain will take the ball when England needs a breakthrough and he so often delivers.
Stokes took 5-23 in the first Test, including the wickets of Travis Head and Cameron Green, and the all-rounder will attempt to lead by example in the first innings.
Australia vs England
It’s fair to say Australia’s batting line-up looked in tatters after the first innings in Perth, so much so that the selectors decided to change the order in the second innings.
Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne dug them out of a hole and now looks like the time for their stand-in skipper to step up to the plate.
Steve Smith has the fifth-best Test runscoring record at the Gabba, scoring 926 runs - at an average of 54.47 - in 19 innings.
The 36-year-old made a century in the draw with India in Brisbane earlier this year and was then 91 not-out in the second innings of the day-night defeat to the West Indies.