Returning Pietersen the key to an England Ashes series double

A spectacular return from injury by Kevin Pietersen could be the key to a first England Ashes Series whitewash since 1890 and the first back to back series wins since 1974/75.

The giant Surrey man clocked up 150 in the first innings of his comeback match at Headingley following an enforced three month lay off with deep bone bruising sustained on the tour of New Zealand.

With KP already looking to be in ominous form with the bat during his four-day fitness test against Yorkshire, the travelling Aussies would be foolhardy to discount the impact his return may have on the England dressing room.

At 2/1, an England/England series double looks like good value at the moment, with the visitors in disarray and England no doubt anxious to erase the painful memory of their galling ICC Champions Trophy final defeat to India.

However, the interchangeable conditions witnessed recently at Edgbaston  could easily have as much say as the players, with a drawn series in England and a victory on the road for Alastair Cook’s men a more appealing 14/1.

Although, for those who are optimistic that the weather will not have as much of a say as has been the norm in recent series, the odds of an England whitewash – their first in 123 years – can currently be backed at an enticing 12/1.

Hope for Australia could be in the form of an inability by England’s frontline bowlers to get the Kookaburra ball used in tests Down Under to swing. Should this happen, then a Draw/Australia punt pays out a little less at 12/1.

For those hoping for home victories in both series, then an England/Australia double pays 11/4, and looks to be a sensible option.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing