Hosts are better value

SPORTS BETTING: THERE is a new sense of optimism over England’s chances of giving Australia a run for their money in the Ashes series from tomorrow.

Given that many of the Australian players are over 30, captain Michael Clarke is carrying a long-term back injury and key bowler Ryan Harris has announced his retirement and misses the series, the belief is that the tourists might find five Tests in seven weeks a daunting prospect.

It didn’t stop many of the same players winning 5-0 Down Under not that long ago, but England are in a much better place now and are vowing to fight fire with fire.

So England look the better value to win the series at 4-1 than the Aussies at 2-5.

Of course those prices are set for a reason, but the disparity in odds might look out of line once we get into the heart of what should be a superb series.

If the hosts are to win back the Ashes, they will need James Anderson (2-1 to be the leading England wicket taker) and Joe Root (13-5 to be top home batsman) fit and firing.

The Aussies have their own crackerjacks in those markets with the excellent Mitchell Starc (5-2) and Steve Smith (9-4).

The talking stops (or maybe not, once the insults start flying on the pitch) tomorrow when the action takes centre stage in Cardiff.

Australia are 19-20 to win the first Test, with England 16-5 and the draw 5-2.