Australia cut for Ashes revenge

If Ricky Ponting can continue his sparkling form through 2006, England will face a tough task when they head to Australia later this year © Getty Images

Whether it was because of England's defeat in Pakistan or Australia's superb 2-0 win over South Africa, things have changed in the early betting for next winter's Ashes series Down Under. Australia have been cut to 8/11 (1.72) to regain the Ashes, while England have drifted to 15/8 (2.87) to hold onto the trophy they won so emotionally last summer. The draw remains a 9/2 chance.

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England managed to look very ordinary as they lost to Pakistan in both the Test and one-day series this winter and it appears that bet365 think things are moving back in favour of Australia, as England have been drifting ever so slightly over the past few months. The manner of Australia's victory over South Africa in the final Test in Sydney must have influenced their thinking as Ricky Ponting led his side to the highest winning total at the SCG.

The series will probably be the last Ashes hurrah for the ageing Glenn McGrath, but Shane Warne should also be there and there has been talk recently that the great leg-spinner, who, let's not forget, took 40 wickets against England last summer and has 172 in all against them, could even turn up in 2009 on English soil.

Considering that Australia were as short as 4/9 (1.44) favourites to win the series in England in the summer and were then outplayed for all but the first Test, the odds for 2006 are pretty interesting, though they are sure to change again when England travel to India in February. Australia, who have actually bounced back well from their Ashes disappointment, have strangely found things a little tougher when it comes to beating England at home. Though it was 4-1 last time, it was 3-2 in 1998/9 and England's side on that occasion was vastly inferior to this year's model, particularly in the bowling department. If they can get their four main bowlers fit, which didn't happen in Pakistan, then they are a formidable outfit, but the evidence of Pakistan is that they missed Michael Vaughan, Andrew Strauss and Simon Jones and will need all their top players available to have a chance.

The fact that the five Tests are to be crammed in to just six weeks will make it even tougher for the touring side, but after what happened last summer, it's impossible to predict, particularly at this early stage.

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.

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