Bookmakers expect Australia to wrap up the 2009 Ashes series comfortably over the next five days at The Oval and make Australia a best price of 11/8 to win the game.
The draw is on offer at a top price of 6/4 and England are the 4/1 outsiders. England must win the match to take the Ashes while Australia need only a draw to retain them.
Following England’s heavy defeat in the fourth Test, all the money has been for the Australians. The draw, which is normally well backed before any match in England, has been relatively untouched with a forecast for five days of warm weather with intermittent showers.
The pitch is said to be in great condition, heavily favouring the batsmen on the first day, likely to play well on days two and three with lots of promise for spin bowlers on the fourth and final days. The toss is likely to be crucial in this match with whoever wins almost certain to elect to bat.
Captain Andrew Strauss is favourite to be top English batsman in the match at 10/3, followed by Cook at 4/1, Bell at 11/2 and Trott, Collingwood and Prior at 6/1.
Australia’s batsmen, who have consistently outscored England and have regularly been centurions, are led by Ponting at 7/2, Clarke and Katich at 9/2 and Hughes, Hussey and Watson at 6/1. North, who has been in stunning form, is a 7/1 chance.
Top Australian Batsman 5th Test Betting
Top English Batsman 5th Test Betting
tags: 5th test, australia, betting, england, odds, the oval, top batsman
