Ladbrokes’ Lions/Ashes special sure to please patriotic punters

Now that the Premier League has packed up for another three months, the focus on the forthcoming summer of sport is sure to grow even more intense.

British fans are, as so often in the past, viewing Australia as the enemy ahead of the British & Irish Lions’ tour Down Under beginning in June, which is swiftly followed by the start of cricket’s most intense battle when the latest Ashes series kicks off in July.

Lions coach Warren Gatland has named his 37-man squad for the tour and chosen the Wales captain Sam Warburton to lead his charges into what he hopes will be a first series win since 1997, and with the Lions 8/11 favourites to seal the three-match series optimism is certainly high.

Those backing England’s chances in the Ashes are similarly confident.

Following a Stuart Broad-inspired 170-run win over New Zealand in the first Test of a two-match series viewed by many as the ideal warm-up for the Aussies, England are now 1/2 to earn a fourth Ashes victory in the last five series when the tourists come calling later in the summer.

For those confident of a double British success, Ladbrokes’ Lions/Ashes special doubles are sure to entice.

A pair of series wins is priced at 6/4, whilst the Lions to win the series and England to merely retain their urn is 11/10.

Those supremely confident of both the Lions and England’s chances can back a pair of whitewashes – 3-0 to the Lions and 5-0 to England – at a huge 100/1.

Australia are catered for in the specials too, with a pair of series wins for the men from Down Under priced at 10/1, and a couple of Aussie whitewashes at a huge 750/1.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publication