2015 Ashes First Test Betting Preview PT 2
- By A.J. Ryder on July 7, 2015 16:58 GMT
The draw, which is never out of the question - particularly in the first test of an Ashes series - is available at a competitive 9/4 price and that could prove to be a very popular pre-match selection. It’s always interesting to watch how the outright prices switch around as the days go by.
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Many of us will still remember the heroic late scenes at Cardiff a few years ago as James Anderson and Monty Panesar - two players definitely not known for too many famous stands with the bat - were able to bat out for a drawn test in one of the most unexpectedly thrilling finales to a test in quite some time. Not many would have given them a chance to see out the over, much less the days play.
The weather forecast seems to indicate that we will have a full five days’ play so it’s worth remembering that if you still plan to bet on the draw. Should England win the opening test at Glamorgan then it’s definitely going to be a fascinating series but if the Australians can win emphatically then you could see the wind coming out of English sails quite quickly.
Joe Root is getting the nod from the bookmakers as the most likely top English runscorer of the 1st innings and he’s trading at a 3/1 price to do so. That’s the most logical outcome, hence why it’s in the favourites position, but if Root plays well but is still outplayed by Cook, Ballance or Bell then you could see England really having the firepower they need to get the test victory here. They need their best players to be their best players but they also need others to step up.
Alastair Cook can be backed at a 4/1 margin while Ian Bell is under pressure and trades at 5/1 alongside Lyth and Ballance. Ben Stokes is an interesting shout at 8/1 but you reckon if he’s the top runscorer than the rest of England’s best players didn’t really manage to show up.
In regards to wagering on Man Of The Match, you’ve got David Warner priced at 9/1 alongside Steven Smith. Joe Root is just a step behind them at a solid 10/1 listing while James Anderson, Johnson and Stairc are all priced at solid 12/1 listings. Michael Clarke and Alastair Cook both come in at 14/1.
