As England begin the defence of the Ashes, Bookmakers do not think Joe Root and his men will be returning home from Down Under having retained the Urn.

The five Test series starts in Brisbane this week and the Australians are odds-on to regain one of the biggest prizes in sport, and Punters are not being enticed by the big odds available for the English.

“Whilst some in England believe they have a chance of regaining the Ashes, Bookmakers and Punters do not agree,” revealed OddsMonkey spokesman Peter Watton.

“England are as long as 10/3 in places to win the series, and have got longer throughout the recent months. Australia at 4/9 just shows where the Bookmakers feel the Ashes are going, and the Punters are still backing the home side.

“One interesting option for Punters could be the drawn series, we have not seen one since 1972 – but at 8/1 for this series to end like that, it is surely worth a look.”

Ashes odds:
Australia 4/9
England 10/3
Drawn series 8/1