The Ashes 2019: England vs Australia
BetXChange Odds:
Series Winner:
Draw – 6.00
As the dust settles on England’s remarkable 50-over World Cup win, attention now turns to the oldest rivalry in the game as England and Australia battle out the 2019 Ashes. The Aussies arrive in England as the holders of the Ashes urn, having claimed a 4-0 series win on home soil in 2017-18. Both sides have undergone huge transitions since with England having lost talismanic leader and opener Alistair Cook to retirement and are now operating under the stewardship of Joe Root in a relatively inexperienced test match side. It has been even more tumultuous for Australia meanwhile who suffered the ignominy of losing David Warner, Cameron Bancroft and former captain Steve Smith in a ball-tampering scandal in 2018 and are now led by Tim Paine in a much changed side. Smith, Bancroft and Warner have all served their punishments and are back in the fold although the dynamic within the team is sure to be a talking point throughout the series.
Series Preview
Spirits are high throughout English cricket following the dramatic nature of their World Cup win and the test side will be looking to back that up with a 5th consecutive home Ashes series triumph. Many of their World Cup heroes are in the Ashes squad but their recent results in test cricket have been poor with a disappointing series defeat in the West Indies coming at the start of the year and they had to dig deep against Ireland in their only test played so far this summer. Jofra Archer is arguably the most exciting prospect in world cricket currently and he along with the likes of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad will spearhead England’s bowling attack whilst the likes of Joe Root, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes will carry most of the batting responsibilities.
Australia arrive in England under the management of Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting – two men that were part of the last side to win a series in England – back in 2001. They look to have a wealth of options at their disposal though and have bounced back from the much documented ball-tampering scandal. Steve Smith and David Warner continue to produce the goods at the top of the order and their weight of runs could have a big bearing on the outcome of the series. Serious pace in the form of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will certainly test the English batsmen and in Nathan Lyon they possess one of the most consistent spinners in world cricket.
Ashes 2019 Dates
First Test: Edgbaston, Birmingham: – 1st – 5th August 2019
Second Test: Lord’s, London: – 14th – 18th August 2019
Third Test: Headingley, Leeds: – 22nd – 26th August 2019
Fourth Test: Old Trafford, Manchester: – 4th – 8th September 2019
Fifth Test: Oval, London: – 12th – 16th September 2019
Series Betting Tips
Ground with most runs – Oval – 2.40
The pitch at the Oval is notorious for being very batter friendly and with the final Test Match of the series taking place in West London, high scores could well be on the cards.
When will the series be decided: 4th Test Match – 1.75
Very few Ashes series have been decided by final matches in recent times and with England currently on a high, they could play some aggressive cricket from the outset.
Series Correct Score: England to win 3-1 – 6.50
Australia are sure to push England all the way, especially with Steve Smith and David Warner in their ranks but England should have too much about them in home conditions.
1st Test Match Betting Tips
England Top Batsman in the match: Joe Root – 2.50
Joe Root was integral for the 50-over side in the World Cup and the captain will be eager to contribute individually in his first home Ashes test match as captain.
Australia Top Bowler in the match: Mitchell Starc- 2.00
Whilst Edgbaston should favour the batsmen more than the bowlers, Mitchell Starc is a proven performer all over the world and has caused England many problems at test level.
Series Prediction
Outright Winner: England – 0.95
England have won every Ashes home series since 2005 and look well set under Joe Root to push on within test cricket and should have too much for an Australian side in transition.
