Ashes series top wicket-taker predictions, tips, best bets

Top wicket-taker betting for the 2019 Ashes series between England and Australia is certain to attract plenty of interest from punters.

And with wickets tipped to tumble with alarming regularity, the World Gambling List is happy to put our analysis to the test to see if we can find some value bets for those keen to wager on these markets.

The England and Wales Cricket Board’s decision to use the Duke’s ball with specifications from 2018, rather than that latest edition, means plenty of swing and movement off the pitch is expected. These balls have a more prominent seam than the 2019 version so should give bowlers a big edge.

The top wicket-taker markets can be great to bet on as they will hopefully give you an ongoing interest through the entire series. Some leading bookmakers will re-open the markets outside playing hours or at least between Tests, so it’s not too late even once the first ball is bowled at Edgbaston on August 1.

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WGL’s cricket team has scoured the betting and recent form to come up with our predictions on top wicket-takers for the England-Australia confrontations.

We will look at three series-long markets: top English wicket-taker; top Australian wicket-taker and top overall wicket-taker for the Ashes.

For clarity’s sake let me reiterate that in this article we are talking about the markets for leading wicket-takers for the entire five-match series. You, of course, can bet on leading wicket-taker in each innings of every Test.

Here we will look at betting markets for England vs Australia from leading British bookmaker William Hill.

For full odds visit the William Hill website or if you are in Australia, Beteasy will carry similar prices.

Ashes top wicket-taker betting markets

Overall leading wicket-taker:
(Market from Ladbrokes)
James Anderson $4
Pat Cummins $5.5
Mitchell Starc $7
Chris Woakes $9
Nathan Lyon $9
Jofra Archer $9
Stuart Broad $10
Josh Hazlewood $10
Peter Siddle $15
Ben Stokes $17
Moeen Ali $17
James Pattinson $17

England:
James Anderson $3.50
Stuart Broad $4
Jofra Archer $4.50
Mark Wood $5
Chris Woakes $5.50
Ben Stokes $9
Olly Stone $11
Moeen Ali $17

Australia:
Pat Cummins $3.25
Mitchell Starc $3.25
Josh Hazlewood $4.50
Nathan Lyon $5.50
Peter Siddle $7
James Pattinson $10

The short-list for leading wicket-takers in the Ashes

With the England betting we are reluctant to back Mark Wood or Jofra Archer given they are heading into the series under an injury cloud. We would otherwise be keen to back Archer, who we won on consistently during the ICC World Cup. Likewise there are durability concerns over Australia’s Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson, though we like the latter to really re-emerge on the world scene in this series.

Stuart Broad (England): Would be the grand old man of England pace bowling but for his great old partner in crime Jimmy Anderson. Broad is 33 and has taken 444 wickets at 28.77. He should have the absolute perfect conditions for his style of bowling and helped run through Ireland in the one-off Test so there is no question mark over his form. Well rested to be a key player.

James Anderson (England): Turned 37 on July 30 and surely his wonderful career must be drawing to a close. England have kept their key bowling duo in cotton wool though, specifically to inflict more pain on the Aussies when the Ashes begin. Anderson has a record 575 wickets at 26.93 and remains a world-class bowler in English conditions. He dominated the series against India last summer, taking 24 wickets at 18 runs each as England won the series 4-1. Has he gone on one series too many? He has had calf issues which are an injury for old athletes. We will soon know!

Chris Woakes (England): Has not played a lot of Test cricket but was a revelation in England’s cricket World Cup triumph. With the ball swinging around, he could prove a real handful. If he gets off to a flier at Edgbaston, look out.

Pat Cummins (Australia): Finally getting some continuity in his cricket and is the No.1-ranked Test bowler according to the ICC, one spot ahead of Anderson. Will enjoy the conditions and he, Starc, Hazlewood and Pattinson will bring a fearsome pace barrage.

Mitchell Starc (Australia): Was wonderful during the World Cup and if he were guaranteed to play all five Tests and full strength we would have no hesitation tipping him to top all wicket-takers. We don’t think he will though, so we will invest our hard-earned money elsewhere.

James Pattinson (Australia): Back to his powerhouse best after quite a few years in the wilderness. He is another with durability concerns but if he is selected for the first Test we will be backing him to top the wicket-takers in England’s first innings. Just a wonderful, devastating bowler when on song, which has not been often enough for out liking over the years.

Josh Hazlewood (Australia): Has been kept fresh for this series. A top-class bowler who has proved hard to handle in England in the past.

Tip for top England wicket-taker

Stuart Broad ($4 to be England’s top wicket-taker). We just think there are question marks over a couple of the other bowlers and none over Broad, who is the most combative of the bowlers and does not like to lose. He manages to get under the skin of the Australians and it is always a wonderful contest when the ball is in Broad’s hands.

Tip for top Australia wicket-taker

James Pattinson ($10). Get on while it lasts! We expect the tall, powerful Pattinson to be given chance right off the bat. If his body holds together he could be the man to end Australia’s run of outs in England. He is fast, hostile, sends the ball down from a great height and moves it in the air. We can’t wait to see him in action.

Tip for top overall wicket-taker

James Pattinson ($17 with Ladbrokes). We think this Ashes will be the coming-out party for the big fast bowler. He finally seems to have everything in his favour to show what he can really do. We expect a hard-fought series with Pattinson leading the charge for the Australians.

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