Flintoff and Botham both agree, England will win the Ashes
Published:With just three days until the start of the greatest contest in cricket, Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff are adamant England will retain the Ashes and return home with the urn.
Two of England’s finest ever all-rounders believe that this England side is superior to the Australia side, and punters can take advantage of the 13/8 available for England to win the series at Ladbrokes.com
“England should win the Ashes at a canter,” said Botham. “At least that is what normally happens when a decent team meets an average one.”
And Flintoff echoed his idol’s comments when he told BBC Sport: “Looking at the two teams, I reckon we’ll beat them.”
Australia’s odds to win the Ashes have been on the drift ever since their series defeat to India, and with some unconvincing performances from the Australian top order in recent weeks, Australia have drifted from 8/13 to 10/11 to win the series.
Considering their 5-0 mauling on the last occasion they visited Australia, England opened up in the Ashes betting at 9/4 to win the series, but as they head into the first Test on Thursday, England are now 13/8.
But Botham doesn’t believe a 5-0 defeat is on the cards this time around and the man who was part of the last England side to win in Australia believes England will win 3-1.
At 12/1, Botham’s prediction could pay a healthy return should England fulfil the belief installed in them.
Meanwhile Flintoff believes Kevin Pietersen will be the danger man despite a run of abject performances, and Pietersen is 7/2 to be England’s top series runscorer.
Ladbrokes also offer a batsman match betting market and Pietersen is 5/6 to score more runs in the first innings of the first Test than his opposite number Michael Clarke.
A £10 stake on England winning the series 3-1 would return £130. See the full Ashes betting odds here.
