Australia regain favouritism after great escape

Australia's miraculous survival at Old Trafford has encouraged the bookmakers to keep them as series favourites © Getty Images

There must have been some money wagered on a drawn Ashes series as both England and Australia have been drifting in the betting with bet365 to come out on top in the five-match series. After their fantastic escape in the face of a rampant England side at Old Trafford, Australia were installed as an even money (2.00) chance, but despite some strong performances from their batsmen in the tour match at the weekend, they are now 11/10 (2.10). England, having been available at 6/4 (2.50) are now a very generous price at 5/2 (3.50).

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Unless I've been looking the other way, nothing obvious has happened to make such a change necessary and that just means that they are now much better value to come out on top. The draw, which was a 12/5 (3.40) chance, has been cut to 11/5 (3.20). Five enthralling days of Test cricket at its very best has left the series perfectly poised and it is really anyone's guess how the two sides will respond, particularly as they have had little time to rest.

Australia looked shell-shocked in the first half of the Old Trafford match but the way they responded under the most intense pressure shows they are still very much in the series. Their price of evens is probably based more on their reputation than their actual performances though, as England have dominated the large majority of the last two matches and could easily be 2-1 up themselves. In fact, 6/4 is a pretty good price given the momentum they will carry into the next match.

The series correct score betting makes interesting reading too. Of all the possible outcomes, a 2-2 draw is still favourite, though it's drifted to 100/30 (4.33). A 2-1 Australia win is the favourite at 11/4 (3.75), while 3-1 to the Aussies is 7/2 (4.50). England are now 4/1 (5.00) to win it 2-1, while they are 9/1 (10.00) to win both the last two Tests and take the series 3-1.

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

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