Draw at the Gabba

After a first innings run fest by the Australians and a poor 260 all out by England, the first Ashes Test looked like going the Aussies way. The bookmakers odds of 3/1 held good as England put in a sterling performance in the hands of Strauss, Cook and Trott who put on 517/1, leaving Australia chasing 297 to win. 

The opening three-wicket hat trick by Siddle and three English batsmen out for ducks meant the pressure was on from the start. The Australian innings ending on 481 left England some 221 behind, with Hussey (195 runs) and Haddin (136 runs). At this stage things were very much in the home team’s favour and sports betting fans that put their money on Australia were looking good. 

Enter Strauss and Cook, the England captain managed 110, before being stumped, but Cook and Trott put on 329, the highest ever partnership on Australian soil. After appearing to be doomed to defeat the England side made it safe when they declared for lunch on the last day and Australia ran out of time to close the match out. Pontin showed his skill in the last hours putting on 51 runs for the loss of Katich’s wicket. 

A draw for England, at a ground on which they have not won for a quarter of a century and where they normally face heavy losses, must put them more favourably in bookmaker’s eyes. Gamblers too, who like betting on long odds would have had a good time, with records being broken all over the place in this game.