Check out our five most backed betting tips ahead of The Ashes series getting underway this week.
The Ashes 2025
The 2025/26 Ashes Series promises high drama, with records on the line and players ready to etch their names into cricketing history.
From England’s stalwarts to Australia’s home heroes, punters have plenty of intriguing betting markets to explore.
We've picked out the five most backed outright bets across Oddschecker over the past fortnight below.
Tip 1: Joe Root - Top English Batsman - 1pt
Best odds of 23/10 available with Paddy Power when publishing.
Joe Root remains England’s linchpin in the middle order and enters the series with clear milestones in sight.
He is the second-highest active run-scorer in Ashes history with 2,428 runs, trailing only Steve Smith’s 3,417. With 892 runs already in Australia, Root should also reach the 1,000-run mark Down Under to add another feather in his cap.
Despite never scoring a century in Australia, this series offers him a perfect opportunity to break that drought, making him an attractive pick for top English batsman markets.
Top England Bowler
Tip 2: Gus Atkinson – Top England Bowler - 1pt
Best odds of 11/4 available with Ladbrokes/Coral when publishing.
Among England’s bowling ranks, Gus Atkinson stands out as the top contender.
Since his debut, he has claimed 63 wickets at a phenomenal average of 22.01, making him the second-highest English wicket-taker in English Cricket in the modern era.
Midnite
His ability to swing the ball and extract movement from Australian pitches positions him as England’s key threat in a series that has historically favoured fast bowling.
Top Australia Bowler
Tip 3: Mitchell Starc - Top Australia Bowler - 1pt
Best odds of 2/1 available with Sky Bet / Paddy Power when publishing.
Mitchell Starc is a nightmare for English batsmen, particularly on home turf. With 97 wickets against England, he holds the record for the most by any Australian fast bowler in Ashes history.
He is also the fourth-highest wicket-taker in Australian Ashes matches with 41 wickets and could easily spring a surprise as Player of the Series despite high odds. Starc’s devastating pace and swing make him a central figure in Australia’s bowling attack.
Tip 4: Mitchell Starc - Player of the Series - 0.5pts
Best odds of 12/1 available with Sky Bet / Paddy Power.
Top Australia Batsman
Tip 5: Marnus Labuschagne – Top Australia Batsman - 1pt
Best odds of 5/1 available with Sky Bet / Paddy Power.
Labuschagne has emerged as Australia’s most reliable batsman at home. Averaging 55.98 in Australian conditions with 2,855 runs since his debut in 2018, he has outperformed even Steve Smith statistically in home Ashes conditions.
His record in pink-ball Tests is particularly noteworthy, having scored the most in day-night Tests in history (894 runs). With only one previous home Ashes series, Labuschagne’s consistency and ability to dominate England’s attack make him a prime pick for top Aussie batsman markets.
