Swann and Siddle both good value in our Ashes run-scoring specials

England and Australia have both relied on their bowlers to make a significant contribution with the bat in recent series, and this will likely be the case again Down Under.

As such, Graeme Swann’s target of 105.5 runs in the over/under, as well as Peter Siddle’s 95.5, both look attainable at 5/6.

The England spinner averages 23.4 in Test matches and the main barrier to him hitting his target could be if his team dominate as much as they did in 2010/11.

In that series Swann batted only five times as England won three matches by an innings, accumulating just 88 runs as a result.

However, this is set to be a far tighter Ashes and his performances against Australia in England over the summer, where he notched 126 runs from seven trips to the crease, look a more accurate bellweather of what Swann could produce.

Siddle’s average of 15.03 is more meagre than Swann’s, but the fast bowler could have the benefit of more innings against England’s bowling attack given Australia’s recently shambolic top order.

Australia’s top seven have made just 4121 runs at an average of 31.45 in 2013, with their tail-end scoring 989 at 19.39, suggesting their bowlers will not be short of opportunities with the bat.

Siddle accumulated 84 runs in the summer series, but will be buoyed by the return to home soil as he smashed 154 the last time England visited.

It is also worth noting that Siddle picked up 139 runs in a four-match series against India earlier in the year, including a pair of half centuries in one match that would see him beat the total required in one stroke if repeated.

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

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