The Urn is currently in Australia’s possession and the new World Test Champions will be out to bring it “home” alongside the new addition to their trophy cabinet at the end of the five Test series.

Our boys will be looking to use that momentum to get off to a great start in what is one of the fiercest rivalries in world sport.

England have been nearly impossible to stop since Brendon McCullum took over the coaching role almost 12 months ago.

Bazball currently boasts an incredible record of 11 wins, 2 losses in 13 Tests, throw in home ground advantage and the Aussie’s are going to have their work cut out for them.

You couldn’t ask for a better lead up to an Ashes series, both sides are absolutley flying at the moment and this should be one of the most competitive series we’ve seen in quite some time.

I’ve combed through the scorecards, checked the weather and had a look at the markets.

Here is my preview of the First Ashes Test

England Vs Australia

Friday 16th June 8:00 pm, Edgbaston, Birmingham

My Predicted Australia XI

• D. Warner
• U. Kwahaja
• M. Labuschagne
• S. Smith
• T. Head
• C. Green
• A. Carey (WK)
• P. Cummins (C)
• M. Starc
• N. Lyon
• S. Boland

I’m predicting Australia name an unchanged side to the one that beat India on Sunday.

The only question marks have been around Warner, who started the WTC Final incredibly well and that final seam bowling spot.

Josh Hazlewood is hands down one of my favourite players but you can’t deny what Scott Boland has done since coming into the team.

Given that Hazlewood still isn’t 100% and ScoBo is literally unstoppable at the moment, it seems like that number 11 spot is Boland’s for another five days at least.

Ashes Outright Markets

Australia are $1.91 favourites to win The Ashes which has come as a pleasant surprise to me.

Their batting line up has been incredible of late and which nicely compliments the best bowling attack in world cricket, but England have taken things to another level with Bazball.

Given that they are at home and are $2.38 underdogs, England to win The Ashes could be the play here.

I’m absolutely never going to take that though, it goes against everything I stand for but if you’re a Pommy bloke having a read of this, $2.38 for England to win The Ashes isn’t an awful bet.

You can’t avoid the weather in England unfortunately and with weather forecast for days three, four and five not only does the draw in this First Test look interesting at $5 but I’m also leaning towards a 3-1 Australia correct score play at $7.50.

The other couple futures markets I like the look of are Marnus Labuschagne for Top Aussie Runscorer for the Series at $6.

He missed out in the WTC but has had a great County season scoring 502 runs at an average of 71.71, I like him to be up there for us and Pat Cummins Top Aussie Wicket Taker at $2.75.

Cummins is very short in this market for a reason, he’s the Aussie Captain so that’s five Tests guaranteed barring injury and he’s also one of the best pacemen in the world.

If you’re after English tips, you’re on the wrong article.

Back Australia to win the series @ $1.91

Back Australia to win the series 3-1 @ $7.50

Back Marnus Labuschagne Top Australian Runscorer @ $6

Back Pat Cummins Top Australian Wicket Taker @ $2.75

1st Test Preview

The Head to Head markets continue to fluctuate for this game.

Yesterday both sides were $2.20 to win but at the time of publish, Australia are $2.25 compared to England’s $2.38.

I mentioned it above that there is a bit of rain around for the back end of this Test and a play on the draw at $5 isn’t an awful shout but my money is with Australia.

Edgbaston has been one of the kinder grounds to Australians in the 121 years that we have been playing cricket in England.

The Aussies have a 4W-5D-6L record at Edgbaston and last time they were in town, Australia won by 251 runs thanks to a pair of 140s from Steven Peter Devereux Smith.

It’s a short turnaround for the Aussie’s after the WTC Final and I actually think that works in our favour.

England did dismantle Ireland in their warm up game but that was a few weeks ago now and I think I will be backing Australia on the nose (shocker).

Edgbaston, three days out from the first Ashes Test. pic.twitter.com/utC5qYnAwj

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) June 13, 2023

Back Australia to Win @ $2.25

Player Runs Markets

Steve Smith to score a 1st Innings 100 is a jaw dropping $3.75.

He got the job done for me at The Oval at $5 and given his 280 odd runs here last series, I will be on Smudge to raise the bat once again.

I don’t know how I keep forgetting about him but Travis Head to score a 1st Innings 100 is $6.

Head has been our own personal form of Bazball for longer than Bazball has been a thing and $6 looks incredible value for our Number 5 who boasts a Test strikerate of 81.8.

I can’t back every batsmen to score a century nor can I tip that to you.

Given I have already backed Labuschagne for Top Aussie Runscorer above, I will be taking the overs on his 1st innings run line at 31.5.

He is $2.50 to score a 50 and $5.50 to score a century which also look like great markets if I hadn’t already tipped you half the team to score triple figures.

Back Marnus Labuschagne Over 31.5 First Innings Runs @ $1.83

Back Steve Smith to score a First Innings 100 @ $3.75

Back Travis Head to score a First Innings 100 @ $6.00

Player Wicket Markets

Nathan Lyon finished with nine wickets for the match the last time we played at Edgbaston, registering 3/112 off 43.5 in the first dig and then 6/49 off 20 in the second innings.

Gaz looks value for top 1st Innings wicket taker at $5.50 but I’m going to be boring and back Pat Cummins at $3.25.

Patty also had a blinder in the last Test at Edgbaston finishing with 7 for the match and I like him to lead from the front in his first Ashes Test as Captain.

Back Pat Cummins Top Aus 1st Innings Wicket Taker @ $3.25