2009 ASHES BETTING TIPS

We're finally just a few short days away from the start of the 2009 Ashes series. We just saw the Aussies draw with the England Lions and we even witnessed a top show by 2005 winner Steve Harmison. He likely won't be selected for the first test at Cardiff, but after a performance like the one he put together last week, we could certainly see him in the 2nd or 3rd test. The big news seems to be the spin that England expect off the pitch at Cardiff. Turn is an important part of any test-winning strategy and we will likely see two spinners deployed here. I think this is more or less the final show for Monty Panesar and if he fails to coax enough spin off the ground to trouble the Aussies, I think we will see Adil Rashid before we see Monty back during the series. The strength of Graeme Swann can't be underestimated and I have a feeling he'll be able to get under the Aussies skin. William Hill has some very interesting odds put together for the first test. Ricky Ponting's Australian side are the favourites to take the victory over England with a price listed at 6/4. Andrew Strauss' English side carry a 9/4 price but the 13/8 draw is likely going to attract a lot of attention early in the going. You can back England on a Draw No Bet at 6/5.The Australians are listed at 8/11 to hold the first innings lead and I see this as a very solid betting opportunity to back England at evens. I think England will likely open much stronger than the Australians and if the Aussies do win, it will be through an excellent second innings- I am very confident that England will produce a very strong showing on the first two days at least.