The Ashes: 5-0 To Australia!
January 7th, 2014 by G WaldorfIf there were scriptwriters for this Ashes series, they were Australian. The series couldn’t have ended in a better way for the hosts. It was a thumping 281-run victory that came on Jane McGrath Day – day 3 at the SCG – after Aussie skipper Michael Clarke held on at second slip. And it was fitting that it was Australia’s bowlers who finally put the tourists out of their misery: it was the bowlers who seized the initiative in Brisbane at the start of the series, and it has been Australia’s bowlers that have been the difference throughout.
The manner of the series victory couldn’t have been more to the liking of the Aussie fans: England have been brushed aside, and left in such disarray that the next Ashes series might already be looking uncomfortably soon for Andy Flower and Alistair Cook. Certainly, they have lots to think about. There were no Englishmen in the top five highest-scoring batsmen for the series, which tells its own tale. The story of Chris Rogers is the story of the Aussie eleven over both these most recent Ashes series: he was no-where in the running at the start of the ten Tests, but he has finished as the man with the most runs beside his name. But make no mistake, it has been Australia’s bowlers who have blown England away: never before have Australia taken all 100 English wickets in an Ashes series.
But enough of the stats – the highlights tell the story by themselves. Both captains and both teams will be looking ahead to the ODIs (the Aussies after they’ve finished celebrating…), and Australia are $1.40 favourites to win that series, too. Look out for another 5-0 result, a $6.00 bet on Sportbet right now. Look out, too, for some value in Mitchell Johnson to be Australia’s leading wicket-taker in the ODIs at $3.75: those odds could get shorter after the first game on the 12th…
For all the latest cricket odds, just follow the link!
- 2023
- 2022
- - June
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2000