Aussies set for ODI Series Win?

Ok so we’ve all had a lovely couple of weeks gloating about the Ashes. But this is still English sport we’re talking about; the good times are rare and when they do come along we still tend to come crashing down to earth before too long. The forthcoming One Day International Series agains a group of hurting Aussies seems like a probable time for a bit of payback. Betfair are offering a highly tempting 6/5 on Australia winning the ODI seven game series.

Here are the facts. The 50 over game is a very different beast to the Test match format that England have recently dominated. For one thing, Australia are still very good at the ‘grip it and rip it’ stuff. They rank number one in the world compared to our national treasures who languish in a distinctly average fifth.

But we’ve just stuffed them so it will all be different now right? Well, not necessarily, if recent history is anything to go by. In 2009 after our previous Ashes triumph (there have been so many recently now) the Test Match series was quickly followed by a ODI trouncing at the hands of Ponting’s men. The scoreline was an emphatic 6-1 with England only getting the consolation result in the final match.

Furthermore, Cook and Anderson, arguably England’s two most influential players from the past two months have gone home for breaks from cricket. So are the patriotic odds available on England really that inviting when vengeful Aussies are facing contented Englishmen who may have enjoyed one sprinkler dance too many?