Coral’s five special bets to take this Ashes series

With the Ashes series between hosts England and holders Australia fast approaching, Coral provide five top special bets to take for the five Tests.

Joe Root and Steve Smith both score 400 runs or more – 5/2

These mid-20s batsmen and occasional spinners are perhaps two of the best in the world right now, with Aussie Smith number one in the rankings and Yorkshireman Root sixth.

While neither has managed over 400 runs in an Ashes series before, their recent form in the last couple of years in all forms of the game suggests this is one bet you should pile your money on.

No less than 19 players across both teams have managed this feat over the last six series’, and you would back these two to do it too.

Mitchell Starc and James Anderson both take 22 wickets or more – 2/1
A total of six bowlers have taken 22 or more dismissals in the last two Ashes series, and Test-ranked number two Anderson and Baggy Greens rising star Starc will be looking to cross this benchmark as well.

The duo are in great form coming into this series, with Anderson recently becoming England’s highest ever wicket taker, and Starc being best bowler at the Cricket World Cup.

Joe Root to be out for a duck in series – 7/2
Although Root is heavily tipped to be England’s best batsman this series and score big, even the very best are sent walking without getting a run every now and then.