The 2009 Ashes Series
England v Australia Test Cricket Matches
England Name First Test Squad
England resisted the temptation to recall quick bowler, Steve Harminson to the squad to face Australia in the first Ashes test this week. Harminson bowled extremely well for the English Lions last week against the Aussies and looked to be getting back to his best. Ryan Sidebotton was also omitted but Monty Panesar was included and is likely to play as England will gamble on a two spinner attack.
The England 13 man team to play in the first test is Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Graham Onions, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann Squad.
Latest Team News is that Brett Lee will miss the first 2 tests with a rib injury.
England 2/1 To Win First Test
England have reasonably healthy odds of 2/1 with Stan James to win the opening test starting this week in Cardiff. Australia start favourites at 15/8 but the draw can only be backed at odds of around 7/5 and is the favourite outcome. Please visit Ashes First test for all batting and bowling odds.
This latest series comes in the wake of a series whitewash for England in Australia in the 2006-7 series. Australia soundly beat England 5-0 completing only the fifth ever series whitewash. It was a terrible low ebb for England, who had gone to Australia full of confidence after their Ashes victory in England in 2005 Ashes series. See also 2005 Ashes series and the Ashes 2002/3 series
Today it can be said with fairness that Australia are not quite the team they were 3 years ago. The series defeat in 2008 against India highlighted that they have their fair share of problems in attack and have struggled after the retirements of Ashes legends, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and wicket keeper, Adam Gilchrist. England therefore come into the game high on confidence, with a new captain in Andrew Strauss and with the full knowledge that they can match Australia in all aspects.
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2009 Ashes Betting
Needless to say, the Ashes will be one of the most avidly followed sporting events in the 2009 sporting calendar, betting on the various outcomes therefore will be huge as it was in the last three Ashes test series. There will be a wide variety of Ashes betting markets including markets on the top runs scorer for each team and overall along with the top bowler market. What has become very popular in cricket betting in recent years is Ashes in-play betting as the game lasts for 4 to 5 days and people like to bet as the game progresses. Cricket followers will have a great choice of Ashes free Bets from the leading online bookmakers and these are available exclusively here.
