Dawid Malan 2-5 to start first Ashes Test

Leading bookmaker Coral make Dawid Malan 2-5 to start England’s first Ashes Test against Australia after the squad for the series was announced this morning. Yorkshire’s Gary Balance is 6-5 to be in the starting XI, while Jake Ball is 3-1.

England are a top price of 11-4 to win the series with Coral, Australia are available at 1-2 and the draw is 6-1. In the First Test betting, Australia are 4-5 to get off to a winning start, England are 9-4 and the draw is 4-1.

“The betting suggests the team more or less picks itself for the First Test, however, the one position which is likely to be up for grabs is number five in the batting order where Dawid Malan is odds-on to get the nod over Gary Ballance,” said Coral’s John Hill.

**To play the first Test vs Australia
1-50 Alastair Cook, Joe Root, 1-33 Moeen Ali, 1-25 Jonny Bairstow, 1-12 James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Mark Stoneman, 1-8 Stuart Broad, Ben Stokes, 1-6 Chris Woakes, 1-4 James Vince, 2-5 Dawid Malan, 6-5 Gary Balance, 3 Jake Ball, 5 Alex Hales, Craig Overton, 7 Mason Crane, Ben Foakes

**To win the series
1-2 Australia, 11-4 England, 6 Draw

**First Test betting
4-5 Australia, 9-4 England, 4 Draw

ENDS

Further contact information:
John Hill 07889 645520