Ashes LIVE: Steve Smith in new cheating row as England delay announcement
Ahead of the first Test in the Ashes series, controversy surrounds Australian cricketer Steve Smith, who is embroiled in fresh cheating allegations. This situation arises as the England team refrains from disclosing their selected lineup. These developments have stirred significant interest in the cricket community just days before the highly anticipated clash between the two nations.
On the eve of this crucial series, Smith's reputation is under scrutiny, with concerns raised about the conduct of the Australian team. The allegations, although not officially substantiated, cast a shadow over the competition as both squads prepare for the opening match. England's silence regarding their team selection adds to the tension, leaving fans eager for clarity on the players who will compete.
Betting data released shows a stark preference among punters, with Australian players heavily favoured. As noted by Freeth, "Our Ashes ante-post book which has been open since the Oval in 2023, shows the hosts maintaining their dominance at home with 88% of stakes being placed on Australia to win the series outright compared to just 10% on England." This statistic underscores the prevailing sentiment among bettors regarding the expected outcome of the series.
Amid these unfolding events, former cricketer Finn expressed confidence in Australia's prowess, suggesting that they are likely to "walk all over" England in the series. With the first Test approaching, expectations are high, and the controversies only heighten the stakes for both teams.