Ashes 2010-2011

The Ashes date back to 1882, and the biennial Test Series is a celebration of cricket’s most intense rivalry. The last series took place in England in the Summer of 2009, when England triumphed 2-1, and the old rivals will face off again in Australia next year. Since the inception of the Ashes, Australia have won 31 series, compared to the 28 won by England.

England regained the Ashes in 2009, having gone into the final test at the Oval level at 1-1. However, an inspired bowling performance from Stuart Broad helped England to bowl Australia out for 160, and set the stage for their 197 run victory. Despite their win, England cannot afford to be complacent in the break between the series, if they don’t want to suffer the same fate which befell them last time they regained the urn, when they then lost the subsequent series down under in a 5-0 white wash.

In the winter test series in South Africa, England had spells of brilliance alternating with spells of dire fragility and lack of invention, and they will need to remedy this if they are to win a test series down under for the first time since 1987. Australia are currently favourites for the series, priced at 4/7, but much can change between now and the end of the year. England are best priced at 10/3 for the series, and the draw can be backed at 5/1, which would mean England would keep the trophy.

Between now and the Ashes, England have Test Series against Bangladesh and Pakistan, as well as an ODI Series against Australia, as well as the World Twenty20 which takes place in the West Indies in April.

The Ashes 2010-2011 betting odds