Cricket’s oldest and greatest rivalry is revived again in August as England host Australia in the Ashes. The Australians are in possession of the famous urn after a 4-0 series victory on home soil at the turn of 2017/18
The Ashes Series is one of the most popular events to bet on at the best cricket betting sites - and for good reason. Some of the most-watched global sporting competitions are cricket tournaments like the Indian Premier League in the Twenty20 version of the game, but when it comes to test match cricket, nothing beats the drama of The Ashes.
Outcome | Betting Odds | Bet With |
---|---|---|
England to win The Ashes | 4/1 | bet365 |
Draw | 15/2 | 888sport |
Australia to win The Ashes | 3/10 | William Hill |
Due to the reputation of The Ashes, many of the best betting sites provide a great variety of Ashes betting offers. These are tailor-made and exclusive to the competition. These promotional offers give you the chance to boost your bankroll and wager on The Ashes without significant financial investment.
Ashes test cricket lends itself very well to in-play betting. With games stretching up to five days, the in-play markets are kept up to date alongside the action. Your bets can be slower burns, taking a couple of days to be resolved, but they can build to fascinating and tense conclusions.
The Ashes is a series of test matches played biennially between England and Australia. Each series consists of five test matches played at different cricket grounds, with each country taking turns to host the series every two years. A test match consists of each team having two attempts (innings) at batting while the other team tries to bowl them out. Test matches can each last up to five days (30 hours of play).
Once the bowling team gets 10 players out, it's then their turn to bat. The gameplay rotates like this until both teams have played two innings. The team with the most runs over two innings wins the match and the team that wins the most matches over a five-match series wins The Ashes.
Draws are also possible in test cricket if one or both teams have not completed their four innings by the scheduled end of play. So, if the team batting last does not score enough runs to win the game but is also not bowled out by the opposition before the scheduled end of play, the match is declared a draw. Inclement weather can often delay play, increasing the possibility that a given match will end in a draw. When it comes to The Ashes, draws are more likely when the series is played on English soil as rain delays often come into play.
The Ashes can trace its origins back to 1882, when Australia went to England and beat their opponents in a test match. In a satirical obituary, an English reporter declared the “death of English cricket” and claimed Australia had taken the “ashes” of this death back with them to Australia.
England captain Ivo Bligh declared that before the next match against Australia, England would “regain those ashes”. A traditional rivalry was born and an urn containing what are believed to be the ashes of a burnt cricket ball became the symbol of the series - after It was presented to Bligh during England's 1882-83 tour to Australia. The winners of The Ashes now hoist the urn aloft after each series.
Cricket has aimed to modernise itself in recent times, and formats like one-cay cricket and Twenty20 (T20) have become very popular. One-day matches consist of 50 overs for each team and the Cricket World Cup has helped to popularise this format of the game. There is also a Twenty20 World Cup to decide which nation is the champion of the 20-over version of cricket.
The Ashes, in comparison, is test cricket, which is seen as the more traditional form of the sport. Each match takes place over five days and every day there are breaks for lunch and tea. Meanwhile, the other types of cricket are resolved within hours, with rule differences aimed at speeding the game up.
Cricket is one of the most popular sports globally, with many bettors placing wagers on exciting, fast-paced Twenty20 tournaments like the Indian Premier League and Australian Big Bash. But why do so many people choose to bet on this test match only ever played between two nations?
Typically a derby is between two teams that are very close in proximity. England and Australia couldn’t be much further apart, yet you could call The Ashes a derby game.
The history between these two nations, as well as the humour and banter they share, make this as much a matter of pride as any local derby. Fans are desperate for their respective teams to win the series but they also see the fun to be found in the event. There is generally no hatred between Australian fans and English fans (known as the Barmy Army).
Often Australian and English fans can be seen joking around and comparing funny costumes that are commonplace in the stands at games. It’s a unique atmosphere which encourages punters to get invested by placing bets.
For bettors who don’t have a personal stake in the match, The Ashes is still an exciting betting prospect due to the length of the event. During five matches of five days each, bettors can watch both teams and make observations which will aid their betting strategy. Although every match can be different, it's possible to spot trends across matches and use them to place savvy bets with the best in-play betting sites.
Sporting events like the UEFA Champions League or World Cup in football are huge commercial occasions with millions on the line at the end of lengthy campaigns.
In contrast, The Ashes is essentially the longest grudge match in sporting history. It’s not necessarily a contest between the two best international cricket teams. Instead, it is played simply because it always has been. Fans love this quirkiness when compared to other sporting events.
Since we are now up to speed on this long-established and historic competition, all that’s left to do is place your bets! Cricket in general and The Ashes are so popular that many top sportsbooks offer a variety of odds and markets on the competition.
Our team of industry experts at Gambling.com have meticulously assessed and reviewed each online betting site recommended on this page against strict criteria to ensure we only recommend the best and most reputable sportsbooks. We look closely at the quality of odds, the variety of Ashes betting markets, cricket-specific bonuses, mobile capability, payment options, safety, and much more.
To compete in such a crowded online sports betting market, many sportsbooks are prepared to provide prospective players with offers like free bets to entice and intrigue new customers. These offers can come in numerous different forms, but all of them help to enhance your overall online gambling experience. You can redeem these exclusive offers at our recommended sites and use them to wager on The Ashes without significant financial investment.
The last Ashes series was played in 2019 in England, and it was the first time since 2010/11 that the home team did not win the Ashes urn. Test cricket games in which both teams don’t get to play two innings each by the end of day five are declared draws.
Although there are five games played, the series can be drawn either 2-2 or 1-1. In the case of a tie, the current holder of The Ashes retains the urn. In 2019, The Ashes returned to holders in Australia because the series ended 2-2.
The 2019 series was the first draw since 1972 and produced many memorable moments for fans to enjoy. When England faced its biggest run chase over at Headingley in the third match, not many bettors would have placed money on them to pull it off.
Those Ashes betting odds became even bigger as England fell to 286/9 while still needing 73 more runs to win. Ben Stokes, supported by Jack Leach, overcame the odds and led England to a famous result.
There was also the phenomenal batting of Australian Steve Smith. Anyone who bet on Smith to score the most runs outright would have been delighted as he turned in several masterful performances and scored 333 more runs than anybody else.
There have been so many special moments down through the years when England and Australia have faced off in their biennial battle. In total, 71 series have been played, with England winning 32 and Australia currently edging the all-time results list with 33 Ashes Series wins.
Our Gambling.com cricket experts have compiled a list of the top five Ashes moments to whet your appetite for the series.
YEAR | HOME SIDE | TOURING SIDE | SCORE |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | England | Australia | 2-2 |
2017/18 | Australia | England | 4-0 |
2015 | England | Australia | 3-2 |
2013/14 | Australia | England | 5-0 |
2013 | England | Australia | 3-0 |
2010/11 | Australia | England | 1-3 |
2009 | England | Australia | 2-1 |
2006/07 | Australia | England | 5-0 |
2005 | England | Australia | 2-1 |
2002/03 | Australia | England | 4-1 |
2001 | England | Australia | 1-4 |
Since cricket offers some of the most distinct and unique betting markets of any sport, you are bound to find a variety of outright bets, match bets, futures, prop bets, and more when wagering on The Ashes. And then there are of course Ashes betting specials that are exclusive to this event. Let’s take a closer look at some of the different bets and markets you can find when betting on The Ashes at our suggested sportsbooks.
● Top Batsman – As its name suggests, betting on the top batsman is a case of predicting which cricket player will score the most runs.
● Most Wickets – Wagering on the most wickets involves predicting which player will bowl the most wickets in a match.
● Most Sixes – This bet involves predicting if you believe a player will score a certain number of sixes in a match. Many sportsbooks may offer boosted odds on markets like this.
● Man of the Match – Man of the match betting involves wagering on a player expected to perform outstandingly and have the most profound effect on the game. This bet can be much riskier yet is often more rewarding due to longer odds.
There is so much pressure and scrutiny on an Ashes Series that anything can happen. Although Ashes odds can be unpredictable, there are a few things you can bear in mind which can increase your chances of placing winning wagers.
Aside from the aforementioned 2019, 2010/11, and 2001 series, The Ashes has been won by the home side during every contest since the turn of the century. With Australia playing the 2021-22 series at home, it is no surprise when looking at Ashes odds that they come in as favourites. If you’re looking for a place to start with your betting on The Ashes, outrights on the series winner may be an excellent place to start.
Australia have been particularly dominant when playing at home in recent years. Since 2006, Australia have won three out of four home series without losing a match. That is a staggering record, and your own Ashes betting strategy should take into account these statistics.
Looking at the form of key players coming into the match-up is advised when placing bets on individual player markets. For example, England Captain Joe Root has been in fine form this year with the bat and could have a significant influence on proceedings. Signifcantly, Ben Stokes has returned from a break from cricket for the series in what should be a big boost for England's chances.
Due to the following and popularity of The Ashes among UK bettors, many top sportsbooks will have a great range of promotions and offers for cricket betting on The Ashes. While these can come in all shapes and sizes, here is a look at some of the most common:
● Odds Boosts – This offer is exactly as it sounds; Ashes odds are increased, meaning sportsbooks 'boost' the odds and move them in favour of the bettor.
● Risk-Free Bets – If you place a wager on The Ashes that loses, risk-free bets guarantee you get something back in return, often in the form of site credit or a free bet.
● Ashes Free Bet – Perhaps the most straightforward bonus, sportsbooks often offer Ashes free bets to new customers to encourage loyalty. Sites will give you a certain amount of money in a 'free bet' to wager on a particular Ashes match - but bear in mind wagering requirements may apply before you can withdraw your winnings.
Often referred to as 'Sign-Up Bonuses', these welcome offers are exclusive rewards sportsbooks give prospective bettors to entice them to register and deposit. While these offers are only available to new players, they are often the most generous. Of course, every sportsbook is different, meaning each site will offer unique welcome bonuses, with some being superior to others.
Our gambling experts know that having access to a great sign up bonus can help kick off your online Ashes betting experience on a positive note. We make sure all our recommended sites provide the best welcome offers around. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common types of welcome bonuses you can expect to find at the top cricket betting sites
● Free Bet Offers – Typically the most common type of welcome bonus found at sportsbooks, free bet offers do just as its name implies. Betting sites award you with a free bet on particular markets and odds.
● Deposit Bonuses – Deposit bonuses entail sportsbooks matching your first deposit to a certain percentage. For example, a 100% deposit bonus on a £20 deposit means sportsbooks will give you an additional £20 in bonus funds.
● No Deposit Bonuses – The most highly sought-after yet rarest bonus in this list, no deposit offers only require bettors to register to redeem them. No deposit is needed! Of course, T&Cs and wagering requirements will apply, but this offer is relatively generous.
England: Joe Root (C), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Australia: Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
In summary, the notoriety of The Ashes means that the best sports betting platforms will offer a great range of Ashes odds, markets and bets on the long-established competition. So now you’re armed to the teeth with everything you can wish to know about wagering on the Ashes.
Now is the time to place your bets. Visit one of our recommended reputable sportsbooks highlighted on this page to claim a generous welcome bonus to use on Ashes betting!
The 2021/22 Ashes series is taking place in Australia between November 2021 and January 2022. It will include the famous and hugely anticipated Boxing Day Test Match at the MCG – the Melbourne Cricket Ground - starting on the 26th of December 2021.
Yes! All the top cricket betting sites will be offering odds for The Ashes with multiple markets available. You can even find markets where players will be selected in the touring squads before a ball is bowled. Visit one of our recommended Ashes betting sites to discover the best markets, odds, and bonuses available.
Bettors can watch every ball of the 2021/22 Ashes live on Sky Sports or by purchasing a Sky Sports pass on NOW TV. Many enjoy listening to Cricket via TMS, a popular BBC Radio service. In Australia, the series will usually be broadcast live free-to-air on Channel Nine.
Yes, it is safe and legal to bet on The Ashes if you use the sportsbooks we recommend which are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission or another reputable gambling regulator like the Malta Gaming Authority. Our recommended Ashes betting sites have been thoroughly assessed by our team of industry experts, meaning you can only find the most reputable and trustworthy sites on this page.
Some of the most common bet types for betting on The Ashes include top batsman, most wickets, most sixes, man of the match, and who will bat first. You can find a great variety of outright bets, prop bets, futures bets, and more when wagering on The Ashes.
The Ashes is the most established Test cricket series worldwide, in which England and Australia meet roughly every two years and compete in five five-day Tests. Due to the unique nature of the competition, there are plenty of opportunities for betting on The Ashes.