The Ashes 2021-22 – Best Props and Specials to Target

The 2021-22 Ashes series gets underway on Wednesday, December 8, as Australia and England renew their fierce rivalry.

England heads Down Under as the bookmakers’ clear underdog, with the Aussies heavily favored to retain the famous urn.

Many of the best cricket betting sites have already released some exciting prop bets and specials for the 2021-22 Ashes series. In this post, I will be taking you through my picks.

Join me as I look at the top Ashes props and specials for the 2021-22 series.

Steve Smith is the bookies’ favorite to be Australia’s top run-scorer in the 2021-22 Ashes series. The 32-year-old is priced at 2.40, with David Warner at 4.50.

In my eyes, however, backing Marnus Labuschagne offers better value.

Labuschagne has been in excellent form over the past couple of years. He has developed into a world-class red-ball batsman, delivering on a consistent basis.

Despite playing four innings less than Cameron Green and Travis Head, Labuschagne finished as the third-highest run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield last season – boasting a mammoth average of 82.10.

He has started the new season in an impressive fashion, too, smashing 136 and 60* against Tasmania in October.

It is also worth remembering that Labuschagne hit scores of 59, 74, 80, and 67 during the 2019 Ashes series. It goes without saying that he loves playing against England.

Picking between Smith and Labuschagne for Australia’s top run-scorer is not an easy decision. When it comes to choosing England’s top run-scorer, however, there is only one option.

Ben Stokes (5.00), Rory Burns (8.00), and Jonny Bairstow (15.00) are all decent outside bets, but I’m backing Joe Root.

This year alone, Root has notched scores of 228 and 186 in Sri Linka, 218 in India, as well as three centuries against India back on home soil.

I will be extremely surprised if any England batter outscores Root Down Under.

It could be argued that Australia boasts the strongest Test bowling attack in the world.

In fact, Josh Hazlewood (4.33), Nathan Lyon (4.33), and Mitchell Starc (5.00) are all capable of claiming more scalps than any other bowler in the 2021-22 Ashes series.

Michael Neser (26.00) and Mitchell Swepson (51.00) offer Justin Langer’s side even more options, but there is no denying that Pat Cummins is the pick of the bunch.

Considering Cummins took six wickets more than England’s Stuart Broad last time around, I’m confident he will reign supreme with the ball once again.

Even at the ripe old age of 39, Jimmy Anderson is still capable of humiliating the best batters on the planet. I mean, he has been doing just that for the best part of two decades.

The veteran bowler was at his brilliant best when India visited England in August, taking 15 wickets across four Tests. Although he hasn’t played since then, he will be raring to get going again.

As the stats above detail, Anderson has enjoyed a phenomenal career – and he’s not finished yet!

England’s bowlers could find life very difficult against Australia’s batters Down Under. That said, I still expect Anderson to take more wickets than any of his teammates.

Since I’m backing Labuschagne to be Australia’s leading light with the bat, it only makes sense that I also back him to finish the 2021-22 Ashes series as the top overall run-scorer.

Let’s not forget that Australia (1.25) is the bookies’ overwhelming favorite to win the series at the expense of England (5.00).

If the Aussies get on top and begin to dominate England, don’t be surprised if Labuschagne runs riot with the bat and smashes England’s bowlers around the park.

The last of my Ashes props concerns the top series wicket-taker, and I’m going for the same approach as the previous bet here.

Cummins is the bookies’ favorite to take the most wickets in the team that is heavily favored to win the series. When you think about it like that – backing him at 4.00 is a no-brainer.

Lyon (5.50), Hazlewood (6.00), Starc (7.00), Anderson (7.00), and Broad (11.00) are all in the mix, but it is very difficult to look past Cummins.

That’s it for my 2021-22 Ashes prop bets. Before I sign off, though, I want to share a few more Ashes picks with you.

As you can see, I’m not giving England much of a chance in Australia. In fact, I expect the Aussies to retain the Ashes by winning the series.

Admittedly, backing Australia to retain the Ashes and win the series offers little value. However, there is definitely value to be found in the correct score market.

If you’re feeling lucky, you can get odds of 101.00 for England to win the series 5-0. Unsurprisingly, I have taken a more sensible approach.

Check out our guide to betting on the Ashes for more useful tips.