The Ashes is underway, and it has been a nail-biter event up until this point. In the opening two games, Australia secured a 2-0 winning lead, only for England to pull it back to 2-1 at Headingley. Have a read through our Ashes 2023 Old Trafford odds and predictions for the upcoming match.
An Introduction to The Ashes
The Ashes is a preeminent event in international cricket, deeply rooted in the sporting heritage of both England and Australia. It’s a Test cricket series, the most extended form of the sport, which has been contested between these two nations since 1882. This competition derives its name from a humorous obituary published in a British newspaper, which pronounced that English cricket had met its end following an unexpected defeat to Australia on home ground. The term “Ashes” is in reference to a small urn, reputedly containing the remains of a burnt cricket ball.
The series transpires approximately every two years, with England and Australia alternately playing host. The event comprises five Test matches, each potentially enduring up to five days. With more than a century of compelling cricket, The Ashes has fostered an aura of suspenseful contests and volatile outcomes, reinforcing the fervent rivalry between England and Australia.
Historical moments and unforgettable performances have been etched into the annals of The Ashes. Cricketers from both nations often state their careers are defined by their achievements in these contests, demonstrating the significance of the series. The Ashes stands not merely as a contest of cricketing skill and strategy but also as a testament to the enduring sportsmanship, camaraderie, and mutual respect between these two cricketing powerhouses.
History of The Ashes
The Ashes holds a significant position in cricket history, encapsulating the time-honoured rivalry between England and Australia. The series first saw light in 1882, following a match where Australia secured a victory on English soil for the first time. This unexpected outcome prompted a satirical obituary in ‘The Sporting Times’ lamenting the demise of English cricket. The ashes referred to in the series name are reputedly those of a burnt cricket bail, contained in a small terracotta urn.
The tradition of the Ashes was born when a group of Melbourne women presented the urn to English captain Ivo Bligh during the 1882-83 tour. Though the urn itself is not the official trophy, it has come to symbolise the prestige and fierce competition of these cricket matches.
In the ensuing years, The Ashes series has transpired approximately every two years, rotating between England and Australia. Each series consists of five Test matches, with the competition frequently displaying fluctuating fortunes and dramatic moments. This has solidified The Ashes as a pinnacle of cricketing achievement, contributing significantly to the legacy of the sport.
Historical matches and individual performances in The Ashes have carved out unforgettable chapters in cricket history. Figures such as Donald Bradman, Ian Botham, and Shane Warne have all left their indelible marks during these series. As such, The Ashes remains a testament to the enduring tradition, rivalry, and mutual respect between these two cricketing nations.
The Ashes 2023 Series
In the 2023 edition of the series, The Ashes saw an exciting turn of events, in which Australia took a 2-0 lead from the opening two games. The most recent match, however, was played at Headingley Stadium, in which England fought back to secure a win that keeps the series alive. To sum up, we will break down all you need to know about the most recent game.
At Headingley, Australia began the batting and scored a total of 263. Their best batsman from the opening innings was Marsh, who scored a total of 118. He was eventually bowled out by Woakes, who claimed three wickets in total. England’s best bowler was Wood, who claimed the final four wickets of the game, claiming a total of 5 wickets for 34 runs.
Then it was England’s turn to bat, failing to match Australia’s total but still managing to score 237 runs. Their best batsman from the opening innings was Ben Stokes, who scored a total of 80 runs. Australia’s Cummins claimed an astonishing 6 wickets for 91 runs, coming out to a total economy of 5.06.
During the second innings, Australia scored 224, with their best batsman Head scoring 77 runs. He was eventually caught by Duckett with bowler Stuart Broad claiming a total of 3 wickets. The other bowlers to impress were Woakes with 3 wickets, Wood with 2 wickets and M Ali with 2 wickets.
In the final innings, England scored 254-7, winning the game and keeping their Ashes hopes alive. The standout batsman was Harry Brook, scoring 75 runs. The second largest contribution was opening batsman Zak Crawley, who scored 44 runs.
Ashes 2023 Old Trafford Odds
The fourth test match will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester, with the series currently sitting at 2-1 in favour of Australia. England have already announced that they will not make any changes to the side that won at Headingley by three wickets. The fourth test will start on the 19th of July at 12:00 GMT.
Just like always, it is never too early to start betting on cricket. The odds are already available at 22bet Sportsbook, with several markets available to players. Below, we take a look at some of the betting odds that can be played for the upcoming test match. Check out our 22bet Sportsbook review to learn more about the online bookies.
Match Winner
The odds on England to win the match and level the series to 2-2 are 2.3. It is a fairly good offer, considering the pressure will be on England to keep their recent success in form.
If you believe Australia will win the match, the odds presented at the online sportsbook site are slightly higher. Australia’s odds of winning the match – and therefore the series – are listed as 2.52. The unlikely odds of a draw are 4.52. However, a draw would ensure that England have no chance of winning The Ashes. In the case of a draw, the best England can hope for is a drawn series of 2-2.
Double Chance
It is sometimes incredibly difficult to predict whether a match will play out to its entirety or whether rain may affect the gameplay. In the case of a draw, many bets tend to be lost, however, there is a way around that. The way to avoid worrying about draws is by using the Double Chance betting market that is available at 22bet Sportsbook.
The odds on England winning or drawing at Old Trafford are 1.541. This means that the bet will pay even if it rains for five days straight. Likewise, you could also place a similar bet on Australia winning or drawing, which would pay 1.637 times your bet.
If you cannot pick between the two national teams, but are certain that a draw is not on the cards, you can always bet on that. The odds of either England or Australia winning are 1.214. This bet will lose if the match ends as a draw.
Total Runs in First Over
Another possibility is the option of betting on the first over. First over betting is a little tricky, as batsmen and bowlers tend to get a feel for the game. However, 22bet Sportsbook does not see any problem with betting on the result of the first over. It gives players the chance to bet on whether there will be over 2.5 runs in the over or under 2.5 runs.
If you believe that the match will start off with a bang, the odds for betting on more than 2.5 runs in the first over is 2.1. Alternatively, those of you that believe the first six balls will not amount to over 2.5 runs will be paid 1.67 times for betting on under.
It is also possible to bet on which team will score more runs in the first over of their respective first innings. If you believe England will have a more successful first over in their opening innings, the odds of this happening are 2.2. As for Australia, the odds of them scoring more from the opening six balls are 2.5. If both teams score the exact same total from the first over, the odds of a drawn total is 3.75.
First Ball of the Match
Thank 22bet Sportsbook for coming up with such random bets. In this scenario, 22bet Sportsbook have branded odds on what can happen from the first ball of the match. Keep in mind, we are talking strictly about the first ball of the match, regardless of which innings or who is batting. It is simply a bet on the opening ball to be bowled.
The odds of the first ball resulting in a single run are 8. If you believe that the opening batsman will score 2 or 3 runs from the opening ball, the odds are 17 and 65 times, respectively. Should the batsman hit a boundary, the odds of a 4 are 19 and the odds of a 6 are 100.
If the bowler bowls a wide or no ball, the odds are 21 and 34, respectively. However, should the bowler claim a wicket or an LBW, the odds are 21 and 17, respectively. On a side note, it is funny that the odds on a wicket are higher than on an LBW (perhaps the sportsbook knows something that we do not).
The lowest and most probable scenario is that the opening ball will not amount to anything. If the first ball is a dot ball (no runs or wickets) the odds of winning are 1.17 times.
Who Will Win the Toss
Whatever was said before, we take it back. 22bet Sportsbook have done it again. They have found another betting market that one would almost never predict on betting on. You – as a watching fan – can choose to bet on Australia or England to win the coin toss. The good news here is that the odds on both teams are equal. The odds of Australia or England winning the coin toss are 1.91. If you are a true gambler, you may as well start your betting day before a ball is even bowled.
Draw on Runs
Last but not least, 22bet Sportsbook have found a way of betting on the number of runs to be a draw. This does not mean that the match will end as a draw, as that is typically decided by the weather. Instead, it is simply a bet that the final scores will be drawn (in terms of runs). The odds of this happening are 25.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, we hope that you have enjoyed reading about the Ashes 2023 Old Trafford odds. We believe that England will win the match, and that is the same predictions that 22bet Sportsbook have, branding England as the favourites. The odds of England winning are 2.3, which are certainly worth taking, as that means more than doubling up your stake.
England have a fantastic chance of winning, provided the momentum is now with them and they are playing at home. The English cricket team is an exciting mix of raw talent and experienced veterans. They know what it takes to win and will certainly be on the upwards trajectory, following their success at Headingley. Old Trafford has always been a make-or-break test match in the Ashes series, and it is proving to be the case yet again. If you believe Australia will win the match, by all means, follow your gut feeling and go for it. You can find your full cricket betting markets for The Ashes at 22bet Sportsbook.
