England V Australia Ashes Cricket Betting 2009
Ashes Cricket Betting 2009 preview
The cricket world is gearing up for this year’s renewing of old acquaintances as the 2009 Ashes series homes into view; much to the delight of the online free bets community who relish the prospect of a summer-long flutter-fest. If you’re looking to wager on the outcome of arguably one of the biggest sporting duals in the world, then we can help you make your selections here on site.
A week is a long time in Cricket – just ask newly crocked Freddie Flintoff – yet like any other sport, two years is akin to an eternity. But that’s the period of time that’s passed since free bets fans last observed the passing of an #Ashes# confrontation, although the less we attempt to recall that dampest of squids (from an English viewpoint) the better, as the nation’s cricketing pride and morale will be in desperate need of defibrillating ahead of this summer’s resuming of hostilities.
Host of online free bets opportunities await cricket followers of the 2009 Ashes test series
The full glut of Cricket Betting opportunities will make themselves present ahead of the 2009 Ashes Series, whereby markets will suggest a myriad of different ways in which to place on-going wagers as you follow all the action the major cricketing venues this summer. Indeed, due to the very nature of the four and five day play format to each individual test in-game betting will prove as popular amongst online punters as ever according to betting industry analysts.
For many in the game the abject capitulation of the English order at the hands of the wily Australians in 2007 is something that they’d rather forget completely, however the time has come for the English team to avenge that soul destroying – and acutely embarrassing defeat – as both teams limber up for the 2009 rematch, here on home soil.
It would be as much an understatement as the sporting spectacle was a whitewash in favour of the old enemy to conclude that the 5 – 0 drubbing endured by the England cricket team that allowed the Aussies to get their pom-bashing mitts on the famous old urn was painful to watch.
Early indications suggest that the visitors, Australia are favourites to retain the Ashes, being offered across the online betting markets at around the 3 – 4 mark; whilst England are placed at 5 – 2 on average, with the draw being an 11 – 2 shot.
Ashes 2009 rivalry between England and Australia to reach fever pitch
A gladiatorial affair at the best of times, the Ashes test series between England and Australia blends a compelling history with an unparalleled sporting rivalry that dates back to 1877, and it’s fair to say that sporting events don’t come much bigger than the Ashes’ and with it the chest-beating of two of the fiercest rival teams found on either side of the sporting hemisphere. Historically, and the Ashes has been a happier hunting ground for the Aussies; winning a total of 130 Ashes test matches, compared to England’s 95, with some 86 fixtures ending in stalemate.
It wasn’t always this way though, indeed the visiting side won the inaugural Ashes test in Melbourne in 1877, and between 1883 – 1896 England dominated proceedings – inspired by the bat of legendary W.G Grace – with the Aussies securing victory just the once in this 12 year period. The initiative was re-taken by the Australians in the early 1920s, but once again as that decade drew to a close England gained the upper hand once more.
Fast forward to the 1930s and one man’s name sprung to mind, with the infamous Bradman ‘Bodyline’ series grabbing all the headlines rightly or wrongly in Australia’s favour. Post-war Ashes series’ were an altogether different matter, as England turned the cricketing screw on their old adversaries, only for Australia to redress the balance throughout the 1960s. The urn was wrestled this way and that during the 1970s but the decade that followed witnessed the advent of Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham who swept aside all comers in 1981, ‘85 and ‘87.
1987 – excluding the 2005 victory, and the Freddie Flintoff effect – was the last time England got one over their foes in the Ashes series, as Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Co exerted their talent and authority over the ensuing tussles, culminating in the most recent 2007 encounter that saw a Ricky Ponting-led Aussie team reign down a series of blows on English pride.
Pietersen out, Strauss in, as England’s captain set to take Ashes 2009 fight to the team re-building Aussies
Since the teams last met much water has gone under the cricketing bridge, both home and away. Much has been made of the decision of high profile English test cricket stars to sign lucrative contracts for the controversial Indian Premier League this year, with celebrity batsmen like Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff and Kevin ‘KP’ Pieterson having put pen to paper for new clubs in recent weeks much to the chagrin of the cricket establishment here in the UK.
That’s no sooner than the dust had settled on another debatable decision that split the cricket world, that being the perceived relevance – above and beyond the vast commercial and individual player profit interest – of the much maligned Stanford Series in 2008; brought into serious question by the dubious custodians of the game.
Meanwhile the Australians are a team still going through something of a cricketing metamorphosis as they’re yet to rubber-stamp the ‘replacements’ for the revered likes of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist during what’s still observed as being a transient period. To their detractors back home they’re simply not yet gelling or performing as a unit, and pale in comparison to the Australian team that lifted the famous urn just two years ago; with their flaws seemingly highlighted during their 2008 tour series defeat to India.
Nevertheless, with team captain and self-elected spokesman Ricky Ponting firing on all four cylinders the Australians have a talismanic man at the helm, and there’s a smattering of household names that still swell their ranks amid the new blood.
Lining up alongside chief motivator Ponting – set to enjoy his third outing as Ashes captain, his sixth appearance as a player – will be Matthew Hayden (acknowledged as one of the world’s great opening batsmen), current vice-captain and veteran of 39 tests, Michael Clarke, and Australia’s most decorated bowler, Brett Lee. Elsewhere there’s Ashes debuts for wicket keeper Brad Haddon, Shaun Marsh, middle order batsmen Cameron White, bowling all rounder Shane Watson, Peter Siddle, right arm off break bowler Jason Krejza and left arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson.
New look England cricket team confident as cricket betting fans cry ‘bring on the Aussies!’
For some of England’s old guard the bitter memories will still be fresh whilst what appears as flesh wounds run much deeper than at first sight. Yet for the national team’s newest recruits this year’s Ashes will serve as the perfect excuse to put their cricketing wares into the worldwide shop window as talented all rounders Ravi Bopra and Samit Patel and fast bowler (and son of cricketing legend, Chris Broad) Stuart Broad, step up to the plate.
Experience will come in the shape and size of England regulars and the trusted tiller hands of Paul Collingwood (with 39 tests under his belt), Essex’s and England’s opening batsmen, Alastair Cook, Middlesex and England’s left handed opening batsman stalwart, Andrew Strauss, Lancashire’s right arm quick bowler, James Anderson, Nottinghamshire’s hirsute fast bowler Ryan Sidebottom, Northamptonshire and England’s main spin bowling sensation, Monty Panesar and the erstwhile and enigmatic Lancashire and England all rounder, (generally regarded as the best in the cricket world) Andrew Flintoff. Of everyone, Monty Panesar offers much hope and gusto leading the bowling front, and regularly living up to his unofficial title as one of the world’s best spin bowlers and therefore pivotal to the England cause this summer.
2009 Ashes door still open for Vaughan, Harmison and Bell according to new England cricket coach
As the competition for final squad places heat up – with the Test Series against the West Indies another crucial warm-up exercise this spring in readiness for the Ashes - the surprise omission from the squad to square up to the Windies is none other than ex captain of the national side, Michael Vaughan. Having to fall back on his blossoming artistic career, former skipper Vaughan is joined on the sidelines by Durham’s and arguably his country’s quickest fast bowler, Steve Harmison and middle order batsman and Warwickshire favourite Ian Bell; the triumvirate having had the test door slammed firmly in their faces with the first Ashes 2009 test just over two months ahead.
The first test in the 2009 Ashes series gets under way at a new venue. Sophia Gardens in Cardiff welcomes the greatest cricketing road-show on earth to its venue, with the Oval playing host to the fifth and final test later in the summer.
After the Australian cricket team touch down on English soil in June, Ricky Ponting’s men will, aside from the five tests, contest further bragging rights over England by way of five one day internationals and the one Twenty/20 fixture, whilst challenging a host of county teams.
FIRST TEST – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff – 8 – 12th July 2009
SECOND TEST – Lords, Marylebone Cricket Club, London – 16th – 20th July 2009
THIRD TEST – Edgbaston, Birmingham – 30th July – 3rd August 2009
FOURTH TEST – Headingley, Leeds – 7th – 11th August 2009
FIFTH TEST – The Oval, London – 20th – 24th August 2009
