The English cricket team left home hoping that perhaps this was their year. It had been over 20 years since they had won a series on Australian shores – and Australia were at their weakest for many years. All the betting odds were against them, the English side secured what many had only dared to hope – and Ashes series win on Australian soil.

Perhaps they celebrated too much. Since completing the Ashes series, the English side has looked inept, both in the field, in the batting, and in the bowling. In the one day series to date, Australia has been able to secure three comfortable wins from three games, and with Wednesday being Australia Day, you can guarantee they will be hyped up to secure the series.

Bookmakers now have Australia at 1/10 to win the series, with England 12/1 to fight back and win the next four – you’ll get much better odds backing England in a four game all up bet. In today’s game, England are 11/9 to win with Australia 4/5 to win and secure the series. Adelaide was a happy hunting ground for the test 11; I am not sure that one day 11 will have the same joy.

Australia have found form, they have found that winning feeling, and they are after revenge. Don’t be surprised to see them winning 7-0 – you can back that result at 5/1 while a scoreline of 6-1 is at 5/2.

The One Day World Cup will follow this series in February where India heads the betting at 7/2. Sri Lanka is next best at 5/1, followed by England at 6/1, Australia 13/2, and South Africa at 7/1. The Kiwis are the next best at 10/1.

Those are interesting betting odds considering the state of one day cricket at present. Australia are the defending champions and their current form is coming good at the right time. England seem to be going off the boil leaving this year’s hosts, India, and Sri Lanka in the box seat. New Zealand are the team no one is talking about, yet they have an impressive World Cup record – at 10/1, they are great value and worth an early bet.