Scandals On Both Sides Fail To Shift The Odds On The Ashes

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English cricket fans will read the odds on the Ashes and despair. Online bookies in the UK like Bet365 give England very little chance of winning. Still, that shouldn’t deter those of you who like to bet on sports in the UK over the winter. Sure, England’s Ashes odds are dire, but when weren’t they? And, if there were ever an Ashes series in which the cricket itself has to shine; This is it. If the on-field play can’t distract the media, cricket will find itself getting knocked for six.

Someone who shall remain nameless described this Ashes series as pitting the racists versus the rapists. This is, you will agree, a somewhat uncharitable assessment, but it does highlight the scandals facing both sides. Not that they need much underlining, the media aren’t letting go of either story. So the teams know the only way they can distract from the distractions is by playing some sparkling cricket. Just a shame the odds on the Ashes don’t really herald that occurring.

Sure, you can bet on England to make a fist of things, but recently they’ve seemed like a one man band. The England captain, Joe Root, has carried the Test side almost single-handedly in some matches. So, the odds on England aren’t all that surprising. Australia are definitely the better side. However, with all the accusations flying around, the odds on the Ashes available at online betting sites in the UK like Bet365 might be quite generous. Joe Root is already on the back foot.

Racist, Sexist And Led By Proven Cheaters? 

Azeem Rafiq has made it clear that there is a racist undertone to cricket in the UK. Joe Root, alas, has claimed he never witnessed any racism during his time in the sport. This is unfortunate since it makes Joe Root unobservant to the point of idiocy. The unpalatable alternative is that he’s a liar. The media, as you might imagine, can’t make up their minds. Some have even questioned if he ought keep his job. Can you imagine the odds on the Ashes if England lose their Captain now?

• “I don’t recall those instances.”
  • Joe Root – England Test Cricket Captain

Of course, those who have bet on Australia already know what that’s like. Australia lost their captain to a sexual harassment scandal, one which should have seen him sacked in 2018. So, Pat Cummings steps into the breach as Captain with Steve Smith as his vice. This move hasn’t really shifted the odds on Australia. Their odds on the Ashes remain massively short at all of the online sportsbook sites in the UK like Bet365. But, oh boy have the media had a field day with it all. 

Bet365 Has All The Odds On The Ashes You Need

Not only can they question England about racism and Australia about sexism, they can also discuss cheating. Steve Smith back in a leadership role? After what he did? Cricket is a very forgiving sport, is it not? It apparently overlooks racism, sweeps sexism under the carpet and punishes cheating with a few years on the boundary. So with all this happening off the pitch, the odds on the Ashes are neither here nor there. There is far more at stake for both sides now.

Odds On The Ashes

• Draw – 15/2
• England – 4/1
• Australia – 1/3

The players will all know that whichever side performs poorest is going to get the brunt of the criticism. Face the toughest questions. What both sides need is a scintillating series that distracts everyone from the fact cricket currently looks racist, sexist and led by idiotic cheats. So before you dismiss the odds on the Ashes, do reconsider taking advantage of UK gambling laws to bet on the Ashes. England and Australia are playing not just for the trophy now, but the reputation of their entire sport. 

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We take a look at why the odds on the Ashes don’t really take into account just how motivated both these sides are going to be when play begins.