Broad announces himself to the Australians in opening warm-up
Published:England are 10-1 on the first day of their first Ashes warm-up Test with Western Australia after the hosts declared on 242-8 in the three day Test.
But England coach Andy Flower will be pleased with the way his bowling attack adapted quickly to the bowling conditions in Perth, especially Stewart Broad who finished with figures of 3-47 off 18 overs.
Having taken the scalps of Liam Davis and Michael Stewart in his first over, Marcus North took to the crease to face a hat-trick ball which he subsequently blocked before being bowled by Broad just 19 runs later.
Broad is 4/1 to be England’s top series wicket taker and that looks a big price after the seamer relished attacking the Western Australia openers.
And the wicket of North, who will start the first Test for Australia, will be a big boost for Broad’s confidence and is a small victory as England look to win a series in Australia for the first time since the 1986/87 tour.
England are 2/1 to win the series and 1/1 to retain the Ashes, but the first Test will provide a crucial insight into how the rest of the series will fare.
After their one day loss to Sri Lanka on Wednesday, Australia have now gone six games in all forms of the game without a win and are 1/1 to win the first Test in Brisbane.
With just the two more one day internationals with Sri Lanka before the first test starts on the 25th November, Ricky Ponting knows his side need to find some confidence with wins or they face heading into the match at odds against.
Australia are 8/11 to win the Ashes series but were 8/13 before the start of their losing streak.
A series draw would see England retain the Ashes and is priced at 9/2. See the full Ashes betting odds here.
