Betting Blog
England 15/4 for consolation win
England have produced some miserable cricket throughout the Ashes but there have been glimpses of what might have been and the tourists offer some value at 15/4 to avoid a whitewash with victory in the final Test in Sydney.
ESPNcricinfo staff
30-Dec-2013
England have produced some miserable cricket throughout the Ashes but there have been glimpses of what might have been and the tourists offer some value at 15/4 to avoid a whitewash with victory in the final Test in Sydney.
Several spells from Stuart Broad in particular have pointed to England being able to bowl Australia out cheaply - as they managed to do in the first innings in Melbourne - and if they can bring together what has been patches of form with the bat they can hurt an Australian attack weary after a long series.
In the UAE, Pakistan are well placed to overcome Sri Lanka having only lost one of 10 Tests in the Middle East since it became their adopted home home in 2010. Sri Lanka declined any preparation for red ball cricket and have not played a Test since March - they have an enormous challenge to adapt immediately following the one-day series.
The tourists might get themselves together later in the series but 2-0 or 2-1 Pakistan at 6/1 and 7/1 respectively is a fair reflection of where both teams lie.
Full postRoot to stay cool for England at 9/2
England have sunk to their lowest ebb for many years but without the weathering of past campaigns or dressing room relationships Joe Root can excel for England as is 9/2 to be top runscorer in the first innings at the MCG
ESPNcricinfo staff
24-Dec-2013
England have sunk to their lowest ebb for many years with Graeme Swann joining Jonathan Trott back in Blighty and a fragile squad forced to try and keep the Aussies at bay in front of 90,000 fans at the MCG. The most likely men to succeed given the circumstances are those not weathered by past campaigns or dressing room relationships.
Step forward Joe Root who should go very well at 9/2 to be England's top runscorer in the first innings in Melbourne. There has been evidence of his cool demeanour already in this series and he has shown the ability to bat for long periods to wear the Australians down. It was another young buck, Ben Stokes, that proved most successful in Perth and Root can flourish at the "G" on a slower wicket which should suit him.
Out in South Africa, Durban is the venue for the second Test where the hosts have an extremely poor recent record - so poor, the Boxing Day Test was taken away from Kingsmead last year. India got themselves into a winning position in the first Test, proving they can compete and suggesting 11/2 for them to win in Durban is overpriced.
Full postAustralia 15/8 to complete series sweep
The Australian juggernaut has blazed it's way through Perth and now, with the Ashes secured, another 5-0 whitewash is very much in the sights of Michael Clarke's men. They are 15/8 to complete a 5-0 clean sweep
ESPNcricinfo staff
17-Dec-2013
The Australian juggernaut has blazed it's way through Perth and now, with the Ashes secured, another 5-0 whitewash is very much in the sights of Michael Clarke's men. They are 15/8 to complete a 5-0 clean sweep and there's no sign of anything stopping Australia after three thumping wins.
But history suggests England can produce a performance in Melbourne or Sydney. They won at both venues on the last tour and even when 4-0 down heading to Sydney in 2002-03, managed to reduce the damage to 4-1. The same scoreline in this series can be backed at 7/2.
Over in South Africa, India are about to tackle the world's No. 1 team in a two-match series and 5/1 about a 1-1 draw looks the best value. India have swing bowlers that should be effective in the first Test in Johannesburg and South Africa's record at Durban, venue for the second Test, is poor.
Full post11/2 Johnson to shine on adopted home ground
It's not a good time to be following English cricket, and that's reflected in the odds for the 3rd Test in Perth with the visitors 9/2 to win, a remarkable price given what happened in the summer but not too appealing given the events in the first two Tes
ESPNcricinfo staff
13-Dec-2013
It's not a good time to be following English cricket, and that's reflected in the odds for the 3rd Test in Perth with the visitors 9/2 to win, a remarkable price given what happened in the summer but not too appealing given the events in the first two Tests.
The snarling Mitchell Johnson is on fire at the moment and his record at Perth is superb, so 11/2 for him to be Man of the Match looks good value. If it's an Englishman you fancy then Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad are both 12/1. Cook has to come good soon and his 100th Test is as a good a time as any so he is worth a flutter.
England are 25/1 to become only the second side to come back from 2-0 down in an Ashes series but that's not worth touching. The drawn series at 11/1 is not that much better either.
Full postBack 6/4 draw in the first Ashes Test
There isn't much to separate England (9/4) and Australia (15/8) as they head into the first Test of the 2013-14 Ashes series
ESPNcricinfo staff
11-Dec-2013
There isn't much to separate England (9/4) and Australia (15/8) as they head into the first Test of the 2013-14 Ashes series - and with both teams testing the waters, we're backing the draw at 6/4.
England skipper Alastair Cook and Michael Carberry were unbeatable in the recent warm-up game against an invitational XI and are well priced to top score at 7/2 and 9/2 respectively. If you're looking for something longer, Australia's ever-reliable Brad Haddin can be picked up at 12/1.
At the other end of the wicket, Jimmy Anderson (7/2) provides the safe bet while the returning Mitchell Johnson looks good at 13/2. For longer value, Shane Watson is raring to go with the ball in his hand and can be had at 40/1.
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