Aussies unprecedented favourites

Australia are being quoted by leading British bookmakers at unprecedented odds of 25-1 on to win the current Ashes series against England.

William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said: "I can't remember odds that short for a side that's not on home territory.

"It's unprecedented. No one else would have been hotter favourites in a Test series, even in England's gloom-and-doom days."

He added that, with winnings still taxed in British bookmakers, punters would lose even if they bet correctly on an Australian series win.

Internet and overseas betting, by contrast, is not taxed but Sharpe said there had been no major bets on an Australian success.

Australia, the world's best Test side who completed a world record 16 victories in a row earlier this year, won the first match of their five-Test series at Edgbaston last week by an innings and 118 runs.

They meet England in the second Test at Lord's next Thursday.

Rival bookmakers Ladbrokes said they had taken a 27,000 pound ($37,870) bet to win 12,000 when the odds were better before the start of the tour.

But spokesman Matt Finnegan added: "You can still have a flutter if you support England.

"Now, people are betting on individual results or aspects of the game, like whether Australia will make 600 in an innings, rather than the series.

"Australia are just too far ahead in world cricket for that; 25-1 on isn't very exciting, unless you have a quarter of a million pounds to spare."

Optimistic English fans can, however, bet on a home victory. England are quoted at 25-1 with William Hill to win the series and 50-1 with Ladbrokes.

Mail Cricket Editor