Who will be McGrath's 500th Test wicket?
Those inventive people at bet365 have come up with a plethora of interesting specials markets for the Ashes series, which starts at Lord's on Thursday
Simon Cambers
19-Jul-2005
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Those inventive people at bet365 have come up with a plethora of interesting specials markets for the Ashes series, which starts at Lord's on Thursday.
In addition to all the usual markets for player performance and batting and bowling displays, even the most restless punter should be able to find something that suits their particular palate. Anything from the number of Tests which finish inside four days, to which player Adam Gilchrist will hit his first six off, to who will be Glenn McGrath's 500th Test victim are available.
The latter is an interesting market, headed, not surprisingly, by openers Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss at 9/4 (3.25). McGrath has held the Indian sign over England's batsmen for the past decade and even though he may be getting on in age, he is still likely to have a big influence on the series. While Strauss has yet to face Australia, Trescothick has been dismissed four times by McGrath, which though not as bad as his record against Jason Gillespie (seven dismissals in 10 Tests), means he could well be the man most likely to take McGrath to his milestone. Michael Vaughan and Ian Bell are 4/1 (5.00).
Most people will remember that the last Ashes series in Australia two and a half years ago was all over inside just 11 days as the home side romped to victory. bet365 clearly think something similar may happen again as they have a market on the number of Tests that will be over inside four days. One, two and three share favouritism at 3/1 (4.00), while four is 9/2 (5.50), none is 11/2 and five is the rank outsider at 13/2 (7.50). For the record, in 2001 it was three, as it was in 1997, though that was in a six-match series. In 1993, also a six-match series, it was none.
For those not swayed by patriotic thoughts, Australia can be backed at 6/4 (2.50) to wrap up the Ashes by the end of the third Test. It's 2/1 that it will be alive until the end of the fourth Test while you can get 5/1 that it goes all the way to the decider at the Oval.
Big hitters
Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Flintoff are two of the most explosive batsmen on show, and bet365 offer an intriguing market as to which bowler they will hit their first six off. For Gilchrist, Ashley Giles is 21/20 (2.05) favourite while for Flintoff, Shane Warne is favourite at evens (2.00), though Brett Lee looks equally likely at 11/4 (3.75).
Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Flintoff are two of the most explosive batsmen on show, and bet365 offer an intriguing market as to which bowler they will hit their first six off. For Gilchrist, Ashley Giles is 21/20 (2.05) favourite while for Flintoff, Shane Warne is favourite at evens (2.00), though Brett Lee looks equally likely at 11/4 (3.75).
Gilchrist is also the favourite to score the fastest century of the series at 4/1 (5.00), just shading his captain Ricky Ponting who is 9/2 (5.50). Given that Gilchrist can savage any attack, he is a worthy favourite but all this presupposes that he actually makes a hundred during the series. Kevin Pietersen, England's newest hope, is an 8/1 (9.00) chance while England captain Michael Vaughan, who can score as fast as anyone when he gets going, is a 12/1 (13.00) chance.
Cambers Call: Marcus Trescothick to be Glenn McGrath's 500th Test victim - 11/4 (3.75)
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
Simon Cambers is Cricinfo's new betting correspondent