England cut again for Ashes glory In Australia

Andrew Flintoff, fitness permitting, will be key to England's campaign to retain the Ashes in 2006/07 © Getty Images

Andrew Flintoff and co may still not have recovered from last week's celebrations but the money is still rolling in for England to retain the Ashes when they travel to Australia in 2006/7. Having originally been put up as 2/1 (3.00) to win the series in 18 months' time, the weight of patriotic money has forced bet365 to cut England to just 13/8 (2.62) to win Down Under. Australia, who were 8/11 (1.72), have drifted to 4/5 (1.80) while the draw remains a 5/1 (6.00) chance.

Considering that Australia were as short as 4/9 favourites to win this summer's series and were then outplayed for all but the first Test, that is a pretty strong indictment of what this victory could mean, not just for the Ashes and England, but for world cricket in general.

Australia have actually 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. The fact that Glenn McGrath, who has lost just four of 25 matches against the old enemy, may have hung up his boots by then only adds to England's chances.

With a relatively young side, everything is in their favour. Everything, that is, except Shane Warne, who is likely to be still going next time round. The great leg-spinner took 40 wickets this summer and though he couldn't stop England winning, Michael Vaughan's side will probably still have to get past him if they are to repeat the feat of Mike Gatting's 1986-1987 side by retaining the Ashes in Australia's back yard.