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England vs Australia 1st Test Predictions & Tips - Australia to dominate Bazball

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 15 Jun 2023

Ralph Staniforth 15 Jun 2023

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Watch England vs Australia in the 1st Ashes Test from 16-20 June (11:00 BST)
Steven Smith has a superb record at Edgbaston
Can the Aussies get the series off to a positive start?

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Australia backed to win first Test (Getty Images)

England vs Australia Predictions

This eagerly awaited clash in the 1st Ashes Test should be a cracker. Both sides are in good form, but I’m giving the Aussies the slight edge.

England vs Australia Predictions
Head to Head
England Form
England Injuries & Team News
Australia Form
Australia Injuries & Team News

The visitors have experience throughout their team and the bowlers to deal with the dangerous English batsmen. My best bet is an Australian win.

England have won 11 of their last 13 Test matches.
England’s Ollie Pope scored 205 runs in his last Test innings.
Australia’s Steven Smith scored 100+ runs in the 1st innings of his last Test.
Australia’s Steven Smith Scored 100+ in both innings of his last Test at Edgbaston.
Australia’s Steven Smith averages over 75 at Edgbaston.

Head to Head

England and Australia have met on 15 occasions at Edgbaston since 1902. England have won six and Australia four with five draws.

Their last meeting at the ground took place in 2019 when the Aussies won by 251 runs.

England Form

England come into The Ashes in sublime Test form having won 11 of their last 13 long format matches. The turnaround in form after Brendon McCullum took over has been quite remarkable.

Since the new coach came in, England have played Test cricket never seen before. On occasions during matches there have certainly been sides scoring at 6+ to the over, but not as consistently as England have done it recently.

Still, after 13 Test matches, many questions remain on this method of play. Australia have an outstanding bowling lineup so it is hard to see England’s batsmen just having it their own way for long periods.

That said, the hosts at least come into this opening match with a convincing Test win over Ireland. Their bowlers struggled in the second innings in which Ireland forced England to bat a second time, which may be of slight concern.

England Injuries & Team News

Moeen Ali’s return to Test cricket in the lead up to the opening Test after Jack Leach was ruled out has certainly dominated the headlines. I do expect the experienced allrounder to play, and it certainly further strengthens the England batting lineup.

Australia Form

Australia arrived in England some time back and should be full of confidence. They are the newly crowned World Test Championship champions after defeating India at The Oval last week.

Like England, Australia are in good form in the longest format. Despite a series loss in India, the Aussies will be confident coming into this series.

On the batting front Australia are well stocked with a superb lineup and in-form players. On the bowling front you’d be hard pressed to find a better lineup in world cricket at the moment. So, the big question is, can the Aussie bowlers nullify Bazball?

Former captain, Steven Smith is in great form as well. He scored a century against India, as did Travis Head. Usman Khawaja has had a superb last 12 months as has Travis Head.

Australia Injuries & Team News

Australia’s team should be reasonably easy to predict. The only question is who starts and who sits out if Josh Hazelwood is fit? Scott Boland has been brilliant this year with ball in hand, which means it could be between Hazelwood and Mitchell Starc.

Verdict

England v Australia 1st Test

I am backing Australia to win the first Test and Steven Smith to top score in the first innings.

For England I'm looking at Ollie Pope to top score.

Australia Win

Result

@9/10 - 3 Units

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Steven Smith

Best Australia Batsman

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Ollie Pope

Best England Batsman

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