Ashes Review
England handed Australia an embarrassing 3-1 Ashes series defeat on their own turf, which spread bettors will probably be aware is the first time they have done so since 1986. Spread punters that supported England on the outright series index will have been delighted to see the final make-up reach 85 points – originally quoted at 56. The hosts sole triumph came in Melbourne, meaning those spread bettors that bought Australia's outright win index at 66 were left licking their wounds as they totalled only 35 points over the five matches.
Andy Flower's side once again dominated the opening innings exchanges in Sydney and the 1st innings deficit ended up being 364 runs. Those that sold the series trade deficit market (90-130 in Australia's favour) would have had a terrific time after it closed with England 852 runs higher than Australia. Victory at the SCG also saw that spread buyers of the Eng/Aus (h) series supremacy at 5 made a 15 point profit.
Alistair Cook was voted man of the match in Sydney and also the player of the series after the opener amassed a massive 1483 runs. He averaged 127.66, which returned a brilliant profit for buyers of his series runs spread. Those punters that bought James Anderson's player performance index will have been very happy with his 24 wickets.
Spinner Graeme Swann did an admirable job in starving the Australian batsmen of runs on tour, but those that had a spread bet on his player performance market were left slightly disappointed. The bowler's performance make-up reached 175 which would have resulted in a 105 point loss for buyers.
Australia were kept in with a shout following Michael Hussey's heroics and buyers of his series runs at 355 were richly rewarded. Hussey scored 570 runs over the five matches, made even more impressive as he was almost dropped before the first Test. However, those that opted to sell his total runs for the final two Tests would have cashed in as he only managed 53 runs – including one duck. In stark contrast to Hussey, Ricky Ponting proved a huge let down for buyers of his series runs. Sporting Index quoted 400-420 before the Brisbane Test and the Baggy Greens' captain only scored 198 runs – only once making a half century.
The pivotal match of the series was in Adelaide, where the tourists put in a brilliant effort and won by an innings and 71 runs to the delight of spread buyers of England's win index. Another double century was recorded as Kevin Pietersen blasted 227 runs to the joy of his run buyers.
The highest individual score arrived at Brisbane in a match that finished all square which will be fondly remembered by spread enthusiasts that bought Cook's runs. He scored 67 runs in the first innings and a staggering 235 not out in the second.
Spread buyers of either Matt Prior's or Brad Haddin's wicketkeeper performance index would have enjoyed the series as they totalled 482 and 465 points respectively. During the series Prior averaged 50.40 runs and took an impressive 22 catches behind the stumps.
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