Ashes win smashes bookies as England eye up number 1 spot
Published:ENGLAND’S imminent Ashes series win will trigger Ladbrokes’ single biggest payout in cricket betting history.
A £250,000 bet was struck at odds of 7/4 on the eve of the series about an England win – and with a tide of patriotic punts about to return millions to punters, the bookies are hoping for better fortune in 2011.
Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: “The 3-1 series win was our worst nightmare. Pretty much every market we’ve offered has gone the way of the punters. 2011 can only get better for us.”
England are now 10/11 (from 6/5) to beat the number one-ranked test side India this summer at home, and 5/1 for the 2011 ODI World Cup. Andrew Strauss’s team are 8/1 to displace India as the top-ranked test side at some point this year.
“England look irresistable and if their form continues into the Summer, they could find themselves on top of the world,” added Donohue.
Ladbrokes latest betting
England v India – Series winner
England – 10/11
Draw – 11/4
India – 9/4
2011 ODI World Cup
India – 7/2
Australia – 4/1
Sri Lanka – 4/1
England – 5/1
South Africa – 6/1
Pakistan – 8/1
