THE ASHES starts on Friday with the First Test at Edgbaston as England clash with Australia in cricket’s greatest rivalry.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest, and carefully selected our best bets, tips and sign-up bonuses for the showdown which kick-starts an epic summer of action.

England vs Australia enhanced prices

• Stuart Broad to get David Warner out in the 1st innings for less than 10 – Was 2/1 NOW 3/1 with Ladbrokes – CLAIM HERE

• Joe Root to score over 20 runs in the 1st innings – Was 2/5 NOW Evens with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

• Each team over 2 runs in the 1st innings – Was 3/1 NOW 7/2 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

• Marnus Labuschagne to be clear Top Australia Runscorer in the first innings – Was 3/1 NOW 7/2 with Betfair – CLAIM HERE

• Joe Root and Steve Smith to score 100+ combined Runs in the 1st innings – Was Evens NOW 6/4 with Sky Bet – CLAIM HERE

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Today’s best offers

Brand new William Hill customers will receive £40 in free bets to spend on anything when they register an account and stake £10 on football – by using MOBILE ONLY.

• Claim YOUR £40 in free bets right here*

Sky Bet have a tremendous offer with new customers able to claim £30 in free bets when they stake a tenner on anything – including The Ashes.

• Claim this cracking Sky Bet offer here*

Bet UK are offering £30 in free bets for new customers to claim right now when they register and stake just £10!

• Claim you welcome bonus with Bet UK here*

Already have these accounts? Don’t worry, we’ve got loads more terrific deals with our partners.

• Check out the latest free bets to use on football, cricket, horse racing, tennis and lots more.

England vs Australia betting tips

The weather may be hot but this series is set to be an absolute scorcher as Ben Stokes’ England seek to wrestle back the urn for the first time since 2015.

It’s one of the most hotly anticipated Ashes series in years, and for very good reason.

There’s obviously the usual rivalry and needle between old enemies, but this contest features two sides in irresistible and, more often than not, explosive form.

England enter the series having won 11 of their last 13 Tests playing their signature swashbuckling ‘Bazball’ style under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

England struck a record-breaking 22 centuries over the course of the year, breaking their previous high of 20 set in 2004. They’ve also set a new record for the most sixes by any team in a calendar year in Test cricket.

And that paired with the fact England’s bowlers have taken all 20 wickets in 12 of 13 Tests will give the hosts immense confidence.

Australia are the current holders after winning the 2021-22 series on home soil – and they are looking seriously impressive.

The Aussies have evidently adapted to English conditions already having won the World Test Championship by ruthlessly dismantling India at The Oval.

Beware Boland…

It’s pretty difficult to stand out in this Australia bowling attack, but Scott Boland certainly does and has X-Factor to become an Ashes hero.

The 34-year-old is an overnight success a decade in the making. He’s spent years thrashing the ball into an unresponsive MCG pitch but has now been unleashed and better surfaces have yielded terrific results.

He’s taken 33 wickets from his eight Test matches for Australia, including five against India at The Oval last week. He often gets wickets in bunches and we’re backing him to make a massive impact and earn Man of the Match.

• Our tip: Scott Boland to be Man of the Match at 14/1 with Betfair – CLAIM HERE

Runs…

Two of the greatest talents of their generation should make their presence known at Edgbaston. In fact, it’s quite difficult to envisage them both failing to deliver a big performance.

Smith is ranked at the second-best Test batter in world cricket, and produced innings of 144 and 142 when the Ashes started at Edgbaston in 2019. His Ashes average in England is 65, and recently scored 121 against India and 89 for Sussex.

Meanwhile Root, 32, has 11,004 runs under his belt and has hit 3,181 runs and 12 centuries since the start of 2021. He is also without the burden of captaincy.

• Our tip: Joe Root and Steve Smith to score 100+ combined Runs in the 1st innings at 6/4 with Sky Bet – CLAIM HERE

We meet again…

And so it begins… A battle worthy of a Hollywood movie as Stuart Broad and David Warner meet in the middle once again.

Broad dismissed Warner seven times in the Ashes series four years ago, and has sent the Aussie opener packing 14 times in total.

No bowler in Test history has dismissed a batsman more often in a series at a lower average. Warner has struggled in England, averaging just 25 – less than half his 58 average in Australia.

He scored 43 and 1 against India last week, but recorded three singe-figure scores in the IPL before arriving.

• Our tip: Stuart Broad to get David Warner out in the 1st innings for less than 10 with Ladbrokes – CLAIM HERE

England vs Australia – First Test odds

• England 11/8 with Ladbrokes

• Draw at 7/2 with Ladbrokes

• Australia at 5/4 with Ladbrokes

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

*William Hill. 18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. 4x £10 free bets. Free bets expire after 30 days. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply.

*Sky Bet. New customers only, first single & e/w bet only, 5p minimum stake, 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.Org

*Bet UK. New customers, Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. Stake not returned. T&C’s Apply.