England’s Ashes price drifts despite drawing the First Test

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The price of England regaining the Ashes has dropped despite the fact they managed to hold on for a draw in the First Test in Cardiff.

The hosts are 3.75 to win the series having been 3.35 when we wrote a preview on July 1. However, if anything the result should cause great encouragement, as Australia had won 29 of their previous 34 series openers.

Posted: July 13th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Five stats about the first ever Ashes Test to be held in Wales

Click here for all the latest odds on the 2009 Ashes opener

The first ever Ashes test to be held in Wales kicks off on Wednesday at Cardiff’s SWALEC Stadium but it’s hard to tell who - besides Glamorgan chairman Paul Russell - is happy about it. Andrew Strauss says his men will be walking into the unknown, Ricky Ponting thinks England have “got a bigger advantage there than anywhere else in the country” while Shane Warne thinks playing the first test there is “a disgrace”. Here are five stats to help you bet on this unpopular opener:

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1. Australia tend to kick off Test series spectacularly. They have won the opener in 29 of their last 34 series, drawing four and losing just one.

2. England also get off to spectacular starts in Test series, although more of than not they are spectacularly bad. Over the last four years, Andy Flower’s men have contested 15 series, winning the opener in just one.

Posted: July 6th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

How the West Indies cricket schedule could help Everton win the FA Cup this year

The Times find an eerie coincidence that favours the Toffees

An interesting extract in today’s Times highlights an intriguing pattern that could bode well for Everton’s FA Cup prospects:

“Moyes would have hoped to avoid Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, who are on course for an unprecedented quadruple, but he may be comforted by the knowledge that on the five previous occasions Everton have won the FA Cup - in 1906, 1933, 1966, 1984 and 1995 - the West Indies cricket team have toured England. West Indies are due to play two Test matches in May.”

Posted: March 9th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Why England are unlikely to fight back against the Windies

Five useful betting links for the weekend

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Posted: February 13th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Why Andrew Strauss’ England may struggle in the Caribbean

The first test against the West Indies starts tomorrow in Jamaica

Despite a turbulent few weeks, England travel to the Caribbean as 4/7 favourites to win the four-test series. Here are a few reasons why Andrew Strauss’ side will struggle:

» England have only won away to the West Indies once in the last 41 years.

» The visitors overall record from fourteen trips to the Caribbean reads: Played 14, Won 3, Tied 3 and Lost 3, giving them a win percentage of 21%.

» The West Indies have lost successive home test series on just one occasion in the last 38 years, which is a good omen for them as they lost their last one to Australia last year.

Posted: February 4th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

England 33/1 to win ODI series after going 3-0 down

Improvement is not enough after light hands India D/L win

(Photo Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)

England delivered their best performance yet in India but it still wasn’t enough to earn victory after bad light stopped play, handing the hosts a sixteen-run win by the Duckworth-Lewis method.

The third straight loss means that England now need to win all four remaining ODIs to win the series and Bet365 have lengthened odds on that improbable recovery taking place to 33/1, while Ladbrokes are refusing to completely write Kevin Pietersen’s side off, instead placing them at 16/1.

Click here for all the latest odds.

Posted: November 20th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment