Later today, at midnight to be exact, the first test in the 2017-2018 Ashes Series gets underway. From now until the 8th January 2018, Australia will host England in a series of five test matches at different venues across Australia in the hope of regaining the Ashes that they lost in a 3-2 series defeat in England back in 2015.

Of course, if you want to enjoy some top-quality betting on these massive cricket games, then Coral Sport is the place to be. As a new customer, you get a fantastic value Coral Sports deposit bonus offer when you sign up of £20 in free bets when you bet just £5, or you can take advantage of one of the many New Customer Offers that Coral make available for certain football matches and other sporting events throughout the year. Such as the one presently available for the Liverpool v Chelsea football match coming up at the weekend.

Whatever option you use to sign up, once you are a member at Coral Sport then you have the chance to enjoy a wealth of great value sports betting and this winter, the Ashes series will likely be a key part of that. Let’s now take a closer look at the series and a look at some of our top tips for this huge cricket tournament.

The 2017=2018 Ashes Squads

The two teams have announced their squads for the Ashes series and there are more than a few lesser known names in amongst the more familiar names for both teams.

Australia – Steve Smith (Captain), David Warner (Vice-Captain), Cameron Bancroft, Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tim Paine (Wicketkeeper), Chadd Sayers and Mitchell Starc

England – Joe Root (Captain), James Anderson (Vice-Captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Balance, Stuart Broad, Alistair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes (Wicketkeeper), Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Mark Stoneman, Chris Woakes, James Vince

England’s preparations were hampered when Ben Stokes was ruled out due to disciplinary action taking place over an incident at a Bristol nightclub in the summer. His replacement Steven Finn then also got injured and he was replaced by Tom Currant. James Anderson stepped in to replace Stokes as Vice-Captain for the tour.

The Ashes Venues

The five tests will take place across Australia at five different venues and will include, for the first time ever, a Day/Night test (the 2nd test). The venues and other details for the five test matches are outlined below:

  • 1st Test – 23rd – 27th November – The Gabba, Brisbane
  • 2nd Test – 2nd – 6th December – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (Day/Night Test)
  • 3rd Test – 14th – 18th December – WACA Ground, Perth
  • 4th Test – 26th – 30th December – Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
  • 5th Test – 4th – 8th January – Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

Ashes History

England come into this event having won five out of the last seven Ashes series between Bet365 Bet Typesthe teams, although in that period they have only ever retained the Ashes once in Australia, that was back in 2010-2011 when England won the series 3-1. They are also the current holders having won the 2015 Ashes on home soil by a 3-2 scoreline.

However, Australia will take comfort from the fact that their home record against England in recent times is excellent, they have twice whitewashed England 5-0 (in 2013-14 and 2006-07) and have also racked up several 4-0 and 4-1 wins over the past 30 years or so.

In Australia, the home side has won over 50% of the test matches played between the teams, with England winning just 34%. Over history, Australia have won 130 test matches to England’s 106, with 89 drawn.

Oddly enough though, when it comes to Ashes Series wins, the teams are tied with 32 wins apiece. Australia winning 18 on home soil and 14 in Australia, while England have the same record, winning 18 in England and 14 on Australian soil. A total of five series have been drawn.

The First Test in Brisbane

The action begins tonight in Brisbane with the first test between the teams and England have named their XI that will play in that game with the only surprise being Jake Ball’s inclusion ahead of Craig Overton, who replaced Ball when he was injured in a four-day tour match against Cricket Australia back in early November.

England Team to face Australia: Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (Capt), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Jake Ball, James Anderson.

Australia have delayed naming their team until the last possible moment due to injury concerns over opener David Warner and middle order batsman Shaun Marsh, with Glenn Maxwell called into the squad to cover should one of them not make it for tonight’s game.

Top Ashes 2017-2018 Tips with Coral Sport

  • Who Wins the First Test?

Coral currently have Australia at 8/11 to win the first test with England rated at no better than a 5/2 chance and a draw a 4/1 shot. With the Aussies record on home soil and especially at The Gabba, it is easy to see why they are hot favourites here. England’s predisposal towards batting collapses also doesn’t aid their cause but if England can get it right with the bat and Anderson and Broad are sharp with the ball, there’s no reason why they cannot get a win here against a fired-up but inexperienced and seemingly injury prone Australia side.

My Tip – England to win the first test at 5/2 with Coral

  • Who Wins the Ashes?

Currently, Coral have Australia as the clear 4/9 favourites to regain the Ashes on home soil, with England a 3/1 shot and the draw a 7/1 outside bet. My feeling is that this is going to be an unexpected series and it isn’t going to go the way many experts feel. There are so many unknown factors for both teams and both squads are really inexperienced and that could lead to some exciting and unusual results.

Of the two teams, it is England I think that have the better batting line up, while Australia probably just have the edge in bowling depth, though I think England have the best bowler in Anderton. I think England’s ability to bat down to 8 or 9 is absolutely key to this series and I think that may well just the influence that sways the series in their favour.

My Tip – I’m going for an England Ashes win at 3/1 with Coral, and you can back England to win the test series 2-1 (with 2 games drawn) at odds of 20/1 with Coral too.