In what is arguably the most highly-anticipated Ashes series to be played in England since the turn of the century, current champions Australia with meet England in the First Test at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff from Wednesday night, 8pm AEST.
Having delivered England a demoralising 5-0 series defeat over the 2013/14 summer, Australia remain clear $1.38 favourites to retain the Urn, while England can be taken at a healthy $4.30 to win their home series.
We’re upping the stakes for the Aussies to win the Urn! From today until Day 1 of the first test commences, we’re offering $2 for Australia to win the series!
Australia
Australia named their squad of 17 for the 2015 Ashes Series in March but were forced to call-up young paceman Pat Cummins last week after veteran Ryan Harris was forced to retire with injury.
While clearly weakening the Aussie pace attack, Harris’ omission did solve a selection headache as four quicks have been vying for three positions in the first XI; Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood now all but assured to lead the Australian bowling attack in Wednesday’s first test.
While the likes of Michael Clarke, Steve Smith, wicket keeper Brad Haddin and spinner Nathan Lyon are all confirmed starters, selection battles remain between Chris Rodgers and Shaun Marsh to partner David Warner at the top of the order, while Shane Watson and Mitch Marsh are also both in consideration for the team’s all-rounder position.
Undefeated since their forgettable series loss to Pakistan in the Middle East, Australia offers great value for money at current $1.85 odds to win the 2015 Ashes Series first test in Cardiff.
Australia’s 17-man Squad for the 2015 Ashes Series
- Michael Clarke (c)
- Steve Smith (vc)
- Brad Haddin (wk)
- Fawad Ahmed
- Pat Cummins
- Josh Hazlewood
- Mitchell Johnson
- Nathan Lyon
- Mitchell Marsh
- Shaun Marsh
- Peter Nevill (wk)
- Chris Rogers
- Peter Siddle
- Mitchell Starc
- Adam Voges
- David Warner
- Shane Watson
England
Having won three-consecutive series following the retirement of key Australian figures Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist, England were unable to continue their great run of form in the most recent Ashes series and slumped to only the third-ever 5-0 whitewash.
Forced to almost completely rebuild their test squad from the ground up, England have the luxury of not having to name a limited squad for the 2015 Ashes Series, and may look to field the same team that contested a somewhat competitive 1-1 tied campaign against the in-form New Zealand last month.
England has named a 13-man squad for the first test in Cardiff but similarly to Australia, are faced with a few selection headaches of their own.
Having been offered clear cut choices in Graham Swann and Monty Panesar in years gone by, England coach Trevor Bayliss will have to pick one of Moeen Ali or Adil Rashid to fill the spinning void for the first Ashes test, while James Anderson and Stuart Broad will be joined in the pace ranks by either Steve Finn or newcomer Mark Wood.
Unable to produce anything of a competitive resistance in the last Ashes series, England remain $4 outsiders to win Wednesday’s first test at Sophia Gardens.
England’s 13-man Squad for the 2015 Ashes Series Game 1
- Alistair Cook (c)
- Joe Root (vc)
- Adam Lyth
- Gary Ballance
- Ian Bell
- Ben Stokes
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Moeen Ali
- Stuart Broad
- Mark Wood
- James Anderson
- Steve Finn
- Adil Rashid
Recent Form
Last 5 Matches – Australia
West Indies vs Australia, Kingston. Australia wins by 277 runs.
West Indies vs Australia, Roseau. Australian wins by 9 wickets.
Australia vs India, Sydney. Match Drawn.
Australia vs India, Melbourne. Match Drawn.
Australia vs India, Brisbane. Australia wins by four wickets.
Last 5 Matches – England
England vs New Zealand, Leeds. New Zealand wins by 199 runs.
England vs New Zealand, Lord’s. England wins by 124 runs.
West Indies vs England, Bridgetown. West Indies win by 5 wickets.
West Indies vs England, St George’s. England win by 9 wickets.
West Indies vs England, North Sound. Match Drawn.
Australia vs England First Test Preview
Australia seems to have found a reasonable formula to produce positive and consistent results over the last two years, but arguably face their biggest test to date in attempting a first Ashes series win in England since 2001.
England are sure to come out firing in the first Ashes Series test in Sophia Gardens from Wednesday and will do everything in their power to respond to the result of the last series in Australia.
There has been plenty of hype surrounding the England team through recent months, with many expecting the new breed of exciting players to take a firm grasp on Ashes cricket from the outset. Frankly however, their recent results in the red ball format do not make for a world-class read; an absolute flogging at the hands of the Black Caps in their most recent match and disappointing tied-series in the Caribbean are sure to be playing on the minds of the team leading into Wednesday’s first test.
As a result, we remain very confident the Aussies will get their Ashes defence off to the best possible start with a win at Sophia Gardens.
Innings of Winnings
David Warner top scores for Australia in 1st Innings and Australia wins: $7.50
Joe Root top scores for England in 1st Innings and England wins: $17