The Ashes gets underway on 1^st August and ahead of the first test between England and Australia we take a look at the squads, recent form and selected outright betting markets for the series.

 

 

 

 

The Ashes will be contested over 5 test matches starting at Birmingham before moving on to Lords, Leeds, Manchester and the final test will be staged at The Oval. Let's begin with the results of the more recent Ashes series'.

 

Recent Ashes Head to Head.

 

2017/18 in Australia, Australia won 4-0 (1 draw)

2015 in England, England won 3-2

2013/14 in Australia, Australia won 5-0

2013 in England, England won 3-0 (2 draws)

2010/11 in Australia, England won 3-1 (1 draw)

 

The Squads:

 

England (1^st test): Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes

 

Australia: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Patrick Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner

 

England Recent Form:

 

England's beat Ireland by 143 runs in a one off test match at Lords last week although they had to recover from a disastrous first innings where they were bowled out for just 85. In January / February this year they went down 2-1 to West Indies in the Caribbean. In November 2018 England completed a 3-0 clean sweep of Sri Lanka away from home and earlier that year they drew 1-1 at home to Pakistan and beat a touring India side 4-1.

 

Australia Recent Form:

 

Australia's most recent test match action came at home to Sri Lanka early in 2019 and they won both test matches by wide margins. Just prior to that they hosted India and they lost a 4 match series 2-1 (1 draw). Other results in 2018 saw Australia lose a 2 match series to Pakistan (1-0) in the UAE and they also lost 3-1 in South Africa.

 

Selected Outright betting Markets:

 

To Win the Series

 

England 9/10

Draw 7/1

Australia 15/10

 

Series Correct Score:

 

England To Win 3 – 2 6/1

England To Win 3 – 1 13/2

Australia To Win 3 – 2 7/1

Draw 2 – 2 7/1

England To Win 4 – 1 7/1

Australia To Win 3 – 1 8/1

Australia To Win 4 – 1 11/1

England To Win 2 – 1 12/1

England To Win 4 – 0 14/1

16/1 and better the rest

 

Ground With The Most Runs

 

Headingley 21/10

Kennington Oval 12/5

Old Trafford 5/1

Edgbaston 11/2

Lords 11/2

 

Prices from World Sports Betting, correct at the time of publication but subject to change.

 

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The Verdict:

 

Neither side can boast consistent recent form in the test match format but this looks to have the makings of a nip and tuck series.

Of the 3 possible outcomes in the outright series winner market the quote for a draw makes most appeal and here's the reasoning.

After 4 of the 5 test matches I can see the series either being all square or one team leading by a single match, most likely 2-1. If I'm right in thinking it will be a close call then a series draw will still be a runner and the current quote of 7/1 would look big. You would then have the option of letting the pre-series bet ride or take some cover on at least one of the other outcomes before the fifth and final test or “in play”.

 

Bet: Ashes Series to finish in a draw at 7/1