13-8 England superb value to secure Ashes

Sports betting: ENGLAND’S cricketers can retain the Ashes this weekend.

Yes, who would have thought that by the third Test in Australia, our lads would have had the chance to secure possession of the urn for another two years?

Following their innings victory in Adelaide, England are worthy favourites going into the Test in Perth tomorrow morning.

But they are not as short as they should be and I can’t quite work out why.

Is this mistrust of the England cricket team or is it just the pessimism of punters who can’t believe that we can beat Australia twice in a row?

Whatever the reason for England being offered at 13-8, common sense dictates that Andrew Strauss’s boys should be backed at this generous price.

Just examine the facts. In their last two innings, England have racked up 1,137 runs for the loss of six wickets. Australia, however, have scored only 549 and been bowled out twice.

These are damning statistics for the Aussies and clearly illustrate the difference in quality between the two teams.

Admittedly, England have been hit by the loss of Stuart Broad and could be hindered by the effects of James Anderson’s globetrotting to be at the birth of his second child.

But that’s nothing compared to the Aussies’ strife.

They have lost an effective opening batsman in Simon Katich and, in desperation, have made four changes to their squad.

That’s the sort of thing England used to do and look where it got us.

No, there is no way England should be 13-8 and the Aussies 15-8 even though the Perth groundstaff have been encouraged to produce a “result pitch”.

The draw is not out of the question at 11-4 as there are downpours forecast for the final day, but on a wicket which is likely to offer assistance for seamers and spinners alike, England look better equipped to succeed.

And if you are considering a top-England-batsman bet, look no further than Alastair Cook, who appears to be cemented to the crease at the moment yet can be backed at 4-1.


RECOMMENDATIONS: England to win third Test, 13-8 (Betfred, Stan James); Alastair Cook to be top England run scorer, 4-1 (general).

TONY McCoy, champion jumps jockey 15 times in a row and winner of the Grand National in April, is the even-money favourite to collect the BBC Sports Personality Of the Year award on Sunday night.
Nobody would be a more deserving winner and the horse racing industry has done its utmost in lobbying support for the great man.

But from a punting point of view, there is no value in AP’s odds.

Nothing would give me greater pleasure than seeing McCoy triumph, but there are other sports with bigger fan bases and it would be no surprise to see a major shift in the odds of the 10 contenders on the night.

US Open and Ryder Cup hero Graeme McDowell is currently 7-2 to win the award, with England spin bowler Graeme Swann (who could further his cause in the third Test) into 10-1 from three times that price a week ago.

Having backed Jessica Ennis at 10-1 some time ago, it is galling to see her at 33-1, but she is a really likeable individual who is sure to make an impression on voters on the night.

Good luck to her, but my colours will be pinned firmly to the McCoy mast.


STRICTLY Come Dancing reaches its conclusion this weekend and, despite a series of faultless performances by Pamela Stephenson, the bookies reckon the final will develop into a shoot-out between Kara Tointon and Matt Baker.
It is not always the best dancer who wins this enjoyable series — remember last year when Chris Hollins triumphed? — as viewers tend to vote for personality more than performance.

For that reason, I expect Baker (11-8) to overcome Tointon (11-10) and the admirable Stephenson (11-2).

MANCHESTER United have been cut to 6-4 to win the Premier League title following Monday’s 1-0 victory over big rivals Arsenal. The Gunners are out to 5-1, with stuttering Chelsea 9-4 and troubled Manchester City 7-1.