Boyd 10/1 to be top Rankin bowler

BOYD RANKIN is just 5/2 to play in the first Ashes test according to Ladbrokes.As the former Ireland player is confirmed as a member of the series squad, the bookies give him a far better chance of making a first test appearance than the recalled Monty Panesar, who is 10/1 to play. Rankin is a 10/1 chance in the top England wicket-taker market leaving Panesar as the 25/1 outsider with Jimmy Anderson (2/1) and Stuart Broad (9/4) favourite and second-favourite respectively.

England are the 6/4 favourites for the first test with evens the price they win the series, leaving them as odds-on (1/2) favourite to retain the Ashes. It’s 33/1 the away side complete a 5-0 whitewash with 50/1 the price the home team pull off the feat.

Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: “We’re keen to keep Rankin on our side when it comes to top England series wicket-taker. He comes in with a good chance of making an immediate impact.”

Ladbrokes latest betting

Ashes 2013/14

Australia 6/4England evensDrawn series 9/2

England to retain the Ashes 1/2

England to win 5-0 33/1

Australia to win 5-0 50/1

1st Test

2/1 Australia6/4 England2/1 Draw

B Rankin to play in the 1st Test 5/2

M Panesar to play in the 1st Test 10/1

Top England Series Runscorer

A Cook 2/1K Pietersen 7/2I Bell 9/2J Trott 9/2J Root 5/1J Bairstow 16/1M Prior 20/1M Carberry 20/1G Ballance 20/1B Stokes 33/1S Broad 66/1G Swann 150/1J Anderson 500/1M Panesar 500/1S Finn 500/1B Rankin 500/1C Tremlett 500/1

Top England series wicket-taker

J Anderson 2/1S Broad 9/4S Finn 7/2G Swann 7/2B Rankin 10/1C Tremlett 10/1B Stokes 20/1M Panesar 25/1