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Ashes 2021/22 2nd Test: AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

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Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

Ashes 2021/22 2nd Test: AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | Ashes 2nd Test Dream11 Prediction | Australia vs England 2nd Test Key Players | Adelaide Pitch Report

The second Test hasn’t even started yet, but it already feels as though England’s hopes in this Ashes series is on life support courtesy of their decision making and execution in the first Test. And they have received a welcome boost with Pat Cummins ruled out of the Test due to being a close COVID-19 contact.

After leaving both James Anderson and Stuart Broad out on a seaming pitch, England were bowled out for 147 after choosing to bat. From there, they were always behind the eight ball, with their lack of runs in Test cricket once again haunting them. And once again in Australia, the bowlers were left with too much to do, and had to toil hard to even keep their heads above water.

Apart from the Root-Malan stand in the second innings, England didn’t offer much resistance with. Even from ball one. There is plenty of talk about England’s bowling attack with the pink ball, but Australia are very capable in such conditions themselves, even with both Hazlewood and Cummins out. Nonetheless, it still represents a huge opportunity for England.

For Australia, apart from the third evening in Brisbane and Josh Hazlewood’s injury, pretty much everything went to plan to take a 1-0 lead. Now, it’s time for Jhye Richardson to shine, while Steve Smith will be looking to make his mark after looking like a child lost in a candy store at the crease in Brisbane. They start as favourites, and will want to push England onto the backfoot right away given England’s inability to fight back from difficult positions in 2021.

A win here for Australia will almost certainly mean the Ashes will remain in their grasp. For England, a good start – with either bat or ball – is absolutely crucial.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Australia:

  • David Warner has a magnificent record at Adelaide. He has struck 1,045 runs in 15 innings at an average of 80.38, including 335* vs Pakistan in 2019. His battle with Stuart Broad, who dismissed him seven times in the 2019 Ashes, will be interesting to watch with the pink ball.
  • Marnus Labuschagne help set things up for Australia in Brisbane with an excellent 74. He left the ball beautifully. He struck 162 against Pakistan on this ground in 2019, and he averages 53.58 vs England with five fifties in as many Tests against them. Can he finally get that century?
  • Will Steve Smith produce his best here? He was uncharacteristically nervous at the Gabba, and returns to a ground he averages 54.77 at. Smith has, however, made a number of uncoverted starts in Day/Night Tests at Adelaide: 53, 14, 59, 40, 40, 6.
  • Smith is 188 runs away from 3,000 against England. The great batsman averages 63.90 in 28 Tests vs England.
  • What a knock it was from Travis Head at the Gabba. His 152 earnt him the player of the match award, and he will be aiming to produce the goods at his home ground.
  • Watch out for Mitchell Starc in the Day/Night Test. He loves bowling with the pink ball. He has 46 wickets in eight pink ball Tests at an average of 18.86 and strike rate of 36. He took 3/43 and 5/88 vs England in the 2017 Adelaide Test.
  • Jhye Richardson is averaging 13 in Shield cricket this season. He will be keen to make a big impact with the pink ball in the absence of Cummins and Hazlewood.
  • There is plenty of sunshine and warm weather forecast across the five days, so expect Nathan Lyon to play a key role in this Test as the pitch dries out and takes turn. He has the second-most wickets of any bowler in Test history at the Adelaide Oval, with 51 scalps at an average of 26.94.

England:

  • Joe Root is having a dream year, and became England’s highest run-scorer in a calendar year (1,544 runs, avg. 64.33). He looked in good touch at the Gabba, missing out on his ton in the second innings.
  • England needs Root to deliver here. He has scored two half-centuries in two Tests at Adelaide.
  • Dawid Malan also looked in good touch at the Gabba. He scored 89 in the second dig, and England needs more of the same from Malan at the top.
  • Will Ben Stokes be better for the run? He was finding his feet at the Gabba, and England will be hoping he finds his best form here. He averages 36.15 overall vs Australia – can he boost this up closer to 40 in this Test?
  • Jos Buttler looked in good touch in both innings at Brisbane, only to get out after making starts (39 and 23). He has the ability to turn these starts into bigger scores – will this be Buttler’s time?
  • Ollie Robinson was arguably England’s best bowler at the Gabba. It was an impressive performance in his first overseas Test, finishing with 3/58 in the first innings. Also, Robinson needs to play a role with the bat.
  • Chris Woakes took 4/36 in the 2017 Adelaide Test, while James Anderson took 5/38. They were both superb under lights in that Test, and it will be fascinating to see how they fare here.

Stats and Facts

  • Australia have won all of their six Day/Night Tests so far.
  • England have not won a Test in Australia since 2011 (11 Tests).
  • Alex Carey took the most catches by any wicket-keeper on men’s Test debut (8).
  • Cameron Green is finding his feet with the ball. His three wickets were crucial for Australia at the Gabba.
  • Stuart Broad took 2/72 and 0/26 in the 2017 Adelaide Test.

Possible Playing 11

On the morning of the match, Pat Cummins was ruled out due to coming in close contact with a person who contracted COVID-19. Steve Smith will captain and Michael Neser will debut. Jhye Richardson is selected to replace Josh Hazlewood. Also, David Warner is fit after copping a blow to the ribs.

Australia: 1. David Warner, 2. Marcus Harris, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Steve Smith (c), 5. Travis Head, 6. Cameron Green, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Michael Neser, 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Jhye Richardson, 11. Nathan Lyon

England have named their 12-man squad for the Test. Mark Wood has been rested. Jack Leach has been included, but it will be interesting to see whether they pick him after he struggled badly in Brisbane. The pitch is expected to turn later in the Test.

England: 1. Rory Burns, 2. Haseeb Hameed, 3. Dawid Malan, 4. Joe Root (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Ollie Pope, 7. Jos Buttler (wk), 8. Ollie Robinson, 9. Chris Woakes/Jack Leach, 10. Stuart Broad, 11. James Anderson

Adelaide Oval Pitch Report and Weather

Alex Carey was pictured inspecting the wicket. It has a slight green tinge, but it certainly looks like a bat first pitch. The best time for bowlers will be under lights, so it is important to have set batsmen at the crease when the evening kicks in.

The forecast is fine for all five days, but the surface may break up towards the end of the Test due to plenty of sunshine and a very hot day on Friday (top of 37 degrees).

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Ashes 2021/22 2nd Test: AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Ashes 2021/22 2nd Test: AUS vs ENG Dream11 Prediction

Fan2Play Prediction

Option 1:

Ashes 2021/22 2nd Test: AUS vs ENG Fan2Play Prediction

Option 2:

Ashes 2021/22 2nd Test: AUS vs ENG Fan2Play Prediction

Match Prediction

The pink ball looks like England’s best bet in this series. Plus, Cummins and Hazlewood are out. If they can put enough runs on the board, they have enough skill in their pace attack to challenge Australia especially under lights. Australia still start as favourites, but England have a huge chance now.

Charbel Coorey
Charbel Cooreyhttps://cricblog.net
Charbel is the owner & founder of cricblog.net, based in Sydney, Australia. He started the website to fulfill his love for the game of cricket. Charbel has been featured on other publications including OP India, Times of India, and The Roar, among others. He is also a keen fantasy sports player. Charbel has also had the privilege of interviewing cricketers on the CricBlog TV YouTube channel, including James Neesham, Rassie van der Dussen, Andrew Tye, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat and Saurabh Netravalkar: https://www.youtube.com/@cricblogtv For any story tips or questions, you can contact Charbel at charbelcoorey@cricblog.net.

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