Cricket fans, strap in and prepare for six weeks of Test cricket bliss. This Friday, the 73rd edition of the Ashes between England and Australia begins with both teams in scintillating form as the oldest rivalry in the sport gets reignited.
This time 18 months ago, England was in a sorry state. They had just been trounced 4-0 in the last Ashes series and were about to round out a season where England won just one of 17 matches. Now, they’re the talk of the town having won 11 of their past 13 Tests under the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum in emphatic fashion. They take on Australia, freshly minted World Test Champions who have dominated the Ashes over the past decade.
Who will prevail in this battle royale of red-ball cricket? We look at the latest odds from bookmaker William Hill to answer this question and suggest the best bets to make on the England vs. Australia series.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 15th, 7:30 A.M. (GMT)
Despite hosting the Ashes this year and being the form team in Test cricket the past 12 months, England heads into this series as the underdog. Looking at the outright series winner odds from bookmaker William Hill, England is at 2.50 to win, while Australia pays 1.91. A draw is the least likely of scenarios, paying 7.00.
Odds for the first Test are similar with England on 2.60, Australia at 2.20, and a draw paying 4.50.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 15th, 7:30 A.M. (GMT)
The big question here is whether or not England’s ultra-aggressive Bazball approach to Test cricket—which they seem committed to at this stage—will be able to provide success against a quality side like Australia. Ahead of every series over the past year, pundits and analysts alike have explained away England’s success and expected it to run out. First it was the home conditions that benefited England, then the pitches in Pakistan, then the injury toll New Zealand was suffering.
We say that England’s style of Test cricket works and it’s not just been a lucky run. Despite Australia having an excellent bowling attack, the English batsmen will thrive in the home conditions against pace bowlers that give them something to hit. Backing England to win the series outright is a strong wager, paying 2.50. For even more lucrative odds, pick them 3-1 (accounting for one weather-impacted game) for a return of 9.00.
Other great betting markets exist around individual player performance. Odds for who will hit the fastest century in the Ashes from either team pays 12.00 for Moeen Ali, which we say is an excellent bet. The veteran big-hitter has been recalled to the side specifically because of the x-factor he can offer with the bat and has been given a free pass by Stokes and McCullum to play his natural game regardless of the results. One suspects that given a potential 10 innings, one of these will stick and lead to Ali making some big, fast runs.
