100,000 spectators baying for blood. More than 100 years of sporting history echoing throughout the stadium. The Boxing Day Ashes Test between Australia and England is like no other sporting fixture.

After more than 20 years of Australian domination, the onus (and betting favouritism) is shifting towards England.

While the UK shivers, betting odds on the Test match are hotting up, with Andrew Strauss’ team having the better of a record-breaking first Test in Brisbane.

IN the middle of January, Australia and England will start a one-day international series of seven matches.

They promise to be fascinating fixtures, one of the highlights of a spectacular 2011 cricket calendar where results will be as closely inspected as the betting markets for the rapidly-approaching World Cup.

After a history of dire cricket in the doldrums, England are climbing the standings while world champions Australia appear a fading force.

UK sports fans can be forgiven for wallowing in the glory of Australian cricket’s impending demise.

While not quite plunging to the depths endured by lovers of English and West Indian cricket in recent years, the wheel is turning, results are going against them and for all the proud history, Australia are not the team they once were and bets against an England Ashes win continue to appeal.
Rejoice, rejoice, if for nothing else, this means there is value to be had when betting on Test matches involving the green and golds.

IF England are to end their more than 20 year wait for an Ashes win on Australian soil, then opening bowler James Anderson will be pivotal.

The last time England travelled south, they were humbled 5-0 and Anderson managed only five wickets, a grim return for a bowler which serves to highlight how much he relies on swing for his wickets having been brought up in the damp, bowler friendly conditions of Burnley in the Lancashire League and later with Lancashire in the county championship.