Coral’s five special bets to take this Ashes series

With the Ashes series between hosts England and holders Australia fast approaching, Coral provide five top special bets to take for the five Tests.

Joe Root and Steve Smith both score 400 runs or more – 5/2

These mid-20s batsmen and occasional spinners are perhaps two of the best in the world right now, with Aussie Smith number one in the rankings and Yorkshireman Root sixth.

While neither has managed over 400 runs in an Ashes series before, their recent form in the last couple of years in all forms of the game suggests this is one bet you should pile your money on.

No less than 19 players across both teams have managed this feat over the last six series’, and you would back these two to do it too.

Mitchell Starc and James Anderson both take 22 wickets or more – 2/1
A total of six bowlers have taken 22 or more dismissals in the last two Ashes series, and Test-ranked number two Anderson and Baggy Greens rising star Starc will be looking to cross this benchmark as well.

The duo are in great form coming into this series, with Anderson recently becoming England’s highest ever wicket taker, and Starc being best bowler at the Cricket World Cup.

Joe Root to be out for a duck in series – 7/2
Although Root is heavily tipped to be England’s best batsman this series and score big, even the very best are sent walking without getting a run every now and then.

The 24-year-old is most likely to bat at number five, meaning he’ll be needed to make an instant impact so this is a very tempting price for the youngster.

Any player to score a double century – 6/5

Alastair Cook got the last double ton in an Ashes series, when he was at the pinnacle of his career in 2010/11, as he managed an overall total of 766 across the five matches and a top score of 235 not out.

With the likes of Englishmen Cook, Root, Ian Bell and Gary Ballance, and Aussies Smith, David Warner and Michael Clarke available this series, there is a great chance of there being at least 200 plus total.

Any player to score a triple century – 22/1
Thus feat may have only happened five times before in Ashes history, and not since 1966 when Bob Cowper hit 307 for Australia, but with the above stars in action and this price being so tempting, why not take a punt?

Past greats of the game Don Bradman and Len Hutton have 300s to their name in these series’ before and there are plenty modern stars that will want to emulate them. Although, four of the five triple Ashes tons have resulted in match draws.

Coral’s betting tip – Root and Smith both score 400 or more series runs @ 5/2