Australia avoid worst losing streak in their cricketing history
Published:While Ricky Ponting takes a breather from the rigours of captaining the Australian cricket team, Michael Clarke was busy leading the Australian side to victory in the one day game with Sri Lanka, ending their seven match winless run.
Clarke is likely to play a huge part in the Ashes series as Australia look to win back the little urn, and the victory will install a little confidence in the side as they continue to be scrutinised by both the English and Australian press.
The first one day defeat against Sri Lanka equalled the worst losing run in Australia’s 133-year international history, but Clarke’s half century was the catalyst in leading Australia to an eight-wicket victory over their opponents.
Australia were 8/13 to win the Ashes series earlier in the summer, but their recent results has seen many question their form and their odds have lengthened to 8/11 to beat England.
But the victory in their final international match before the series starts has eased the pressure slightly on the squad, but question marks are still being raised by the fans, and England have been shortened to 2/1 to win the Ashes and 1/1 to regain the Ashes.
Ponting will return to skipper the side when the first Test gets underway at the Gabba on November 25th, but Clarke, who averages 55.80 against England, will play a hugely influential role as Australia search for the opening Test win.
Australia are 1/1 to win the first Test but if England continue to impress in their warm-up matches, Australia could go odds against.
Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann were able to adapt to the bowling conditions quickly in the match against Western Australia, and England are 2/1 to beat Australia in the first Test.
Michael Clarke is a big price at 5/1 to be Australia’s leading series runscorer. See the full Ashes betting odds here.
