They certainly weren’t always in control and there were a few nervous moments, but Australia ended up recording a dominant win in the First Test in Brisbane and head to Adelaide as clear favourites.
There were some positives for England – the performance of James Vince the most notable – but the way they capitulated on the final couple of days could leave some mental demons heading into the rest of the Series.
Can England get themselves back into the hunt or will Australia put one hand on the urn? We have analysed both teams and our complete The Ashes 2nd Test Tips can be found below.
Head To Head Betting
Australia are now $1.17 favourites to win The Ashes Series and they are $1.57 to continue their impressive recent record at the Adelaide Oval.
Australia have not lost a Test in Adelaide since 2010, but that defeat did come at the hands of England in fairly dominant fashion.
There is no doubt that Australia ended up being the better side at The Gabba, but it was not smooth sailing for the side.
Steve Smith once again saved their skin with the bat and the Day/Night conditions will give Stuart Broad and James Anderson every possible opportunity to tear through the Australian top-order once again.
Australia have now played three Day/Night Test Matches for as many victories, which includes a win over South Africa, but their batting has looked vulnerable at times in a number of these Test matches.
England did not have a great deal of luck in the second half of the 1st Test and I really don’t think that there is as much between these two sides as the dominant result suggests.
The fact that England were able to post a competitive First Innings total without either Joe Root or Alastair Cook firing is a very positive factor and those runs could be vital in what shapes as a potentially low-scoring Test.
England played one Day/Night Test Match against the West Indies at Edgbaston earlier this year and both Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson were just about unplayable with the Pink Ball.
There is no doubt that Australia represent a much tougher challenge than the West Indies, but the fast-bowling duo still showed in the First Test that they can trouble the Australian Top Order.
Australia deserve to be favourites, but the conditions should suit England and this is the best chance that they have to win a Test Match this series.
Back England To Win @ $3.75
Top Australia 1st Innings Runscorer
Steve Smith is currently a clear favourite in our Australia 1st Innings Runscorer betting market at a quote of $3 from David Warner ($3.75), Usman Khawaja ($6), Cameron Bancroft ($8) and Peter Handscomb ($8).
Usman Khawaja was exposed by spin-bowling once again at The Gabba, but he gets the chance to redeem himself at the Adelaide Oval.
Khawaja was Australia’s best performer with the bat in the Day/Night Test against South Africa last year and he plays swing bowling as well as any player in the Australian side.
Back Usman Khawaja @ $6
Top England 1st Innings Runscorer
Joe Root ($4) is on top of Top England 1st Innings Runscorer betting market from Alastair Cook ($5), Mark Stoneman ($5.50), James Vince ($7), Johnny Bairstow ($8), Moeen Ali ($8) and Dawid Malan ($8).
Alastair Cook missed out in both innings against Australia in the First Test and the press has been quick to come after him following his questionable shot choice in the second innings, but he is too good a player to miss out once again.
Cook scored a double-century when England took on the West Indies in the Day/Night Test earlier this year and his powers of concentration could prove vital.
Back Alastair Cook @ $5
Man Of The Match
Steve Smith ($6) won the Man Of The Match award at The Gabba and he is currently a clear favourite to claim another from David Warner ($7), Mitchell Starc ($7), Josh Hazlewood ($8), James Anderson ($11) and Pat Cummins.
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have both been excellent in each of the three Day/Night Test matches played and it is Hazlewood in particular that seems to thrive in these conditions.
Hazlewood failed to fire with the ball in the first innings, but he took the big wickets in the second innings and played a big part in the Australian victory.
Stuart Broad was excellent in the first innings at The Gabba and he is another bowler that will be suited by the conditions at Adelaide.
We have seen Broad rip through the Australian top-order on a number of occasions and he is always capable of stealing a Man Of The Match award.
Back Josh Hazlewood @ $8 and Stuart Broad @ $13 To Be Named Man Of The Match