subject: The Ashes, First Test (Brisbane) [print this page] The Ashes, First Test (Brisbane) The Ashes, First Test (Brisbane)
England's spread supporters might be aware that in the last 23 years, England have won just two series in 2005 and 2009 both on English soil. The last time England toured Australia the Baggy Greens whitewashed their opponents 5-0 which will no doubt prompt buyers of Australia's series index at 66.
The first Test gets underway in Woolloongabba at a ground where the Aussies have been extremely successful down the years. Australia have played 52 Test fixtures at the Gabba and have won 32 of those which will offer plenty of encouragement to spread bettors buying the Australian's win index in the opener at 14. Cricket fans debating whether buying England's win index at 11.5 is a good option have to trawl back to 1988 to see when the hosts last tasted defeat at the Brisbane ground. West Indies won by nine wickets that day and how England's spread supporters would like a repeat of that victory! England were last victorious at the Gabba in 1986 and have lost ten of their 18 matches at the ground, which will be well received by those selling the tourist's win index at 10.
Spread buyers of Australian team and individual match runs may have noted that the Baggy Greens' highest score came in 1946 when they reached 645 all out. Since 2000, England have played two Test matches in Brisbane and their highest score of 370 runs came in their most recent contest. Spread punters eyeing a buy of the Aus/Eng 1st innings runs supremacy at 25 might be interested to find that Australia's first innings scores in the previous two meetings against England at Brisbane were 492 and 602 averaging an impressive 547. In contrast, England have averaged 241 runs in the same period.
Nathan Hauritz's omission from the opening Test squad will perhaps have left a few of the Australian spread followers questioning the decision. It now means that buyers of Australia's win index at 14 will have to rely on the unproven Xavier Doherty's left arm spin. The Tasmanian bowler will be making his Test debut and many spread bettors may opt to sell his bowling index (10pts for a wicket, 25points for a five-fer) for the opening Test at 28.
Spread enthusiasts keen for a bet on other player spreads for the match should be aware that captain Ricky Ponting has scored 1196 runs at the ground, averaging 66.44. Buyers of his runs at 82 for the first Test would love a repeat of his highest total in Brisbane - 196 runs.
