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Don't believe the Aussie press - Root's record unquestionable
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Nothing in Aussies conditions to stop him
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Atkinson best eqiuipped Down Under
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Wood, Archer not durable enough
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Read our Australia player bets guide HERE
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Now read Ed's Ultimate Guide to The Ashes
The Ashes
From 21 November, 00:15
TV: Live on TNT
Top England series runscorer: Back Joe Root @ 11/43.75
Joe Root has been labelled a 'dud' and 'average Joe' by the Australian press. And all before he'd even left the arrivals hall as he touched down in Perth ahead of England's only warm-up against the Lions at Lilac Hill.
There is a campaign among the hosts to suggest that Root is overrated and has a hang-up about scoring big runs in Australia, as if there is something in the pitches or that he is susceptible to the particular brand of Aussie boorishness. It is all total nonsense.
Darren Lehmann started it by claiming that Root couldn't be considered a great until he scored a century in Australia. Root has since gone second on the all-time runscoring lists. That's one spot ahead of Ricky Ponting, who averaged 26 in India.
So where does the idea that Root has an issue come from, apart from Australian insecurity? Probably the game's obsession with milestones. Using the number of centuries as a metric of inability is ridiculous. You may as well not call him great because he's never hit a six there, either.
Root was 11 runs shy in Brisbane in 2021, 17 short in Sydney in 2018 and 13 in Adelaide in 2013. He has nine half-centuries and in a parralell universe he has at least two tons. It seems to be nothing more than a statistical quirk.
Sportsbook go 11/43.75 that he hits at least two centuries. He is the same price, which has been boosted, to be top England series runscorer. Both are value although those of a nervous disposition may go for the former in case we are wrong about some of the issues that concern us among his team-mates.
Opener Ben Duckett is in a poor run of form and will be targetted by Australia outside off because he is compulsive player, Ollie Pope may not last the series and is a first-innings rungetter only while Harry Brook, despite averaging 80, could well be targetted by the short ball on big Australia grounds.
Back Joe Root top England series bat
Top England series wicket-taker: Back Atkinson @ 11/43.75
There is much hype about England's pace attack for this series. The fastest bowling group ever assembled for a tour Down Under, they say. Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Brydon Carse get much of the attention. Whether the tactic works - and there is a suspicion that England are recycling a wished-for resource of bygone tours - remains to be seen.
As dangerous as those three might be, Gus Atkinson really should take the spoils for series top wicket-taker for his team at 11/43.75. That's because he has pace and an ability to move the ball. Although not as quick as the likes of Archer or Wood, Atkinson can get the ball to jag. Often that is much more worrying for the batter.
This is seen in Atkinson's numbers, which are superb. He has a strike rate of 35, which is extraordinary, and in comparison to Wood (47.90 last four years), Carse (51.8) and Archer (61.5 career), it should be no contest. Archer, in particular, looks too skinny a price at 23/103.30 because it would be a major surprise if he played all five. Likewise Wood. Atkinson at this point in his career is more durable than both and he has a decent chance of staying fit for the duration.
Back Gus Atkinson top England series bowler
England player specials
Root is 9/25.50 to be the overall top series runscorer. As discussed in our Australia series preview, there might not be much to beat from the opposition. Only Marnus Labuschagne's brilliant form may be a worry for those taking the price.
Root is the one batter on either side who is both great and in his absolute peak. Steve Smith has dropped off a little, a view shared by many observers.
Other England specials which catch the eye is the 250/1251.00 that Mark Wood hits the winning runs in any Test. In an expected tight contest, games could well go to the wire and it is one to consider for pennies.
Atkinson has to be considered for top series bowler overall, too, particularly with injury concerns being raised now over Josh Hazlewood. He could be last man standing by the end. Atkinson is 17/29.50.