The opening Test of this year’s Ashes series sees England fans expressing optimism as they back their team against Australia in Perth. The match is set to begin on March 15, 2024, and data from William Hill indicates that nearly three-quarters of all bets placed on the outcome favour the English team to take an early lead in the series.
Despite the support for England, over half of the wagers, specifically 57 percent, are backing Australia to secure a series win. This reflects a competitive landscape as Brendon McCullum’s England aims for their first Test victory on Australian soil since the 2010-11 series.
Betting Trends Highlight England’s Strong Position
Betfair reports that England is currently enjoying the lowest odds for a series win in more than a decade, last seen in 2013. So far, the bookmaker has recorded £350,000 in bets related to the series winner market, along with £170,000 on the first Test itself. This surge in betting activity underscores the excitement surrounding the Ashes, particularly among English supporters.
Betfair Exchange spokesperson James Mackie commented on the situation, noting, “Historic odds reveal that Baz McCullum’s team are the shortest price they have been for a series win in more than 10 years.” England’s last Test win in Australia occurred during the fifth Test of the 2011 series, where Alastair Cook scored 189 runs, leading to an innings victory by 83 runs.
Player Insights and Expectations
As the series progresses, England batter Ollie Pope is attracting considerable attention from bettors, being positioned as a strong contender for both England’s top run scorer and the overall series top scorer. In contrast, Betfair lists Steve Smith with the shortest odds at 6/1 to be named player of the series, reflecting his established status in the game.
Looking ahead, after the first Test in Perth, England will head to Brisbane for a day-night Test at The Gabba. The series continues with matches in Adelaide and Melbourne, concluding at the Sydney Cricket Ground. William Hill has indicated that there are odds of 11/4 available for England to not win a match throughout the series, highlighting the challenging environment they face.
As the Ashes unfold, the stakes remain high, with fans and punters alike eager to see if England can reclaim their glory on Australian turf.
