Ashes Free Bets and Sign-Up Offers
Other countries may debate the notion but for the English and the Australians the Ashes is the biggest event in cricket. The two nations have been competing in the test cricket arena since the late 19th century and competition has always been fierce with a remarkably even record between the teams over the many years they have been facing off.
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Will England Finally Break Their 15-Year Ashes Drought in Australia?
England's Test team faces their biggest challenge as they aim to win the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time since 2010. As the November 2025 to January 2026 Ashes series approaches, captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum face mounting pressure to prove the effectiveness of their innovative "Bazball" strategy against cricket's toughest opponent. England's recent inconsistency leaves fans questioning whether they can finally end Australia's Ashes dominance at home.
England's Mixed Form Raises Questions
England has delivered wildly inconsistent performances over the past 18 months. Their impressive 2-1 series win over New Zealand in December 2024, including a commanding 323-run victory in Wellington, was preceded by a 2-1 loss to Pakistan and further struggles during their tour of India. From 2021 to 2024, England has recorded nine wins and eight losses in 17 Tests, leaving supporters unsure of which team will turn up for the Ashes.
Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann cast doubt on England’s chances, stating to Sky Sports News that "Bazball fails on challenging pitches", particularly against Australia’s world-class bowling attack. Bookmakers have installed Australia as 4/6 favorites to retain the urn, while England trails at 11/4.
Stokes' Fitness Battle Could Define England's Campaign
Ben Stokes’ fitness is pivotal to England's hopes. The captain suffered a hamstring tear during the New Zealand tour and underwent surgery, requiring at least three months of recovery. By opting out of this summer’s Hundred tournament, Stokes has prioritized his rehab with an eye on the Ashes.
Stokes intends to play a limited number of matches for Durham before joining the national squad. England needs Stokes firing on all cylinders both as a dynamic middle-order batsman and as a bowler capable of breaking key partnerships.
England's Bowling Battery Shows Promise
Despite frequent injuries, England's pace attack shows depth and promise. Gus Atkinson has emerged as a major asset, claiming 52 wickets at an average of 22.15 in his first 11 Tests. Brydon Carse has also progressed following his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.
England could be bolstered by the potential returns of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. Archer, after four years out of Test cricket, is eyeing a comeback. Coach McCullum confirmed Archer’s desire to return, noting his inclusion would significantly strengthen England’s fast-bowling arsenal. Wood, England’s quickest bowler, is expected to be fit by July 2025 following knee surgery, and his pace will be vital on Australian wickets.
Root Remains England's Rock Amid Batting Concerns
Joe Root continues to be England's most reliable batsman, holding the national record for both Test (36) and ODI (16) centuries. His experience against Australia is invaluable, having scored three Ashes centuries during England’s 2015 win and remaining consistent during the 2021–22 series.
However, other top-order players remain under scrutiny. Zak Crawley struggled after injury, scoring just 113 runs in 10 innings, which cost him his Hundred contract. Vice-captain Ollie Pope averaged only 11 during the latest Pakistan series, raising doubts about his form overseas. On a brighter note, Jacob Bethell’s debut drew praise from pundits like Nasser Hussain, who called it a "very McCullum, Stokes, Key selection". If Bethell finds consistency, he could be a surprise weapon in Australia.
Australia's Aging Champions Versus England's New Blood
England’s youth-driven lineup contrasts with Australia’s veteran core. Australia’s fearsome bowling attack—Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon—remains potent but aging. According to William Hill's analysis, many Australian players are over 30, with some like Lyon and Starc nearing 40. England may exploit this as the Ashes wear on.
History Weighs Heavy on English Hopes
England has not won a Test match in Australia since their 2010/11 Ashes triumph. Subsequent tours saw heavy defeats, including a 5-0 whitewash in 2013/14 and 4-0 losses in 2017/18 and 2021/22. Even their 2023 home series, which ended 2-2, was marred by weather, denying England a chance to reclaim the urn.
Will Bazball Translate to Australian Conditions?
It remains to be seen if "Bazball"—England’s bold, aggressive style—will succeed Down Under. While it has produced spectacular wins, such as those against New Zealand, it has also led to crushing defeats, including a 423-run loss to New Zealand in December 2024, England’s third-worst Test defeat ever.
Despite setbacks, McCullum remains optimistic, noting that the team has grown significantly since January. Key players like Carse, Atkinson, Bethell, and Jamie Smith represent the new era of English cricket.
The Road to Perth Begins Now
England kicks off their Ashes preparations with a Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge in May before a crucial five-Test series against India. These matches will shape England’s squad and strategy heading into the Ashes.
Can England’s high-risk, high-reward approach finally bring home the urn after 15 years? With a mix of experienced stars and fearless young talent, England may just write a new chapter in Ashes history. When Ben Stokes leads his side onto the Optus Stadium in Perth this November, they will carry a nation’s hopes—and the opportunity to reclaim cricket’s most iconic prize.
Betting on the 2025 Ashes
England are looking to regain the Ashes but are not favourites to do so when they hgo to Australia this winetr. After an epic World Cup on English soil there will be a swift re-focus to the longest format of the game and the biggest Test series on the planet.
England may have lost the 2017-18 series Down Under, but they have not been beaten on their own turf by the old enemey since 2001, winning in '05, '09, '13 and '15. There will be plenty of narrative surrounding the Australian challenge, which will likely feature Steve Smith and David Warner returning from their bans for ball tampering.
Series Fixtures
First test - 01 Aug - Edgbaston, Birmingham
Second test - 14 Aug - Lord's, London
Third test - 22 Aug - Headingley, Leeds
Fourth test - 04 Sep - Old Trafford, Manchester
Fifth test - 12 Sep - Oval, London
What to use your free Ashes bet on
The most popular markets are, predictably, around the series winner. Odds on who will retain the Ashes each series also get plenty of attnetion but with such short odds it can be hard to find value there.
But fear not because there are chances to maxmise your Ashes free bet. Betting interest in the series has become hugely popular over the last few years and bookmakers routinely offer a host of betting markets for every Test match, including top batsman, top bowler and of course the individual Test match result.
The bookies also offer several betting markets and specials for the series as a whole and there is sure to be massive interest from the sporting public for the upcoming series. The betting is always tight for competitive fixtures between these two giants of the world of cricket and neither England or Australia will want to give an inch.
There will also be several free bet and specials offers to take advantage of during the Ashes Series and some of the most popular markets include betting on who will finish the series as top batsman and top bowler, as well as on the series correct score.
There are obvious star players on each side such as the likes of Joe Root and Mitchell Starc who will be favourites to perform well, but knowing how other players get on in the warm-up matches or in limited over games could give you the edge in the betting.
Other markets that you'll be able to use your free Ashes bet on will include:
- Top runscorer (overall and for each country)
- Top wicket taker (overall and for each side)
- Correct Series score
- Player of the Series
- How many runs individual players will score
- Number of wickets taken by individual players
- And lots more
How to get hold of your Ashes free bet
Keep your eyes out on FREEbets.org.uk for all the Ashes-related free bet offers that will pop up in the run up to the series, which will be found in one easy page at the top of this page.
Once you have picked the bet you want it is all about finding which bookmaker will give you the best value for the bet. Our Ashes Betting page will give you some tips in terms of good value odds ahead of each match but if you want to pick a bookmaker yourself simply click on one of the links on the right of this page to head over to their website.
On arrival signing up for the bookie is a straight forward process and then follow the various instructions to be able to cash in your free bets. Some bookies provide them with no deposit, others require a settled bet first before you can use your free bet, again all these details are on the links on the right of the page.
When your free bet is ready to go, click on the odds you want and cash it in on the betting slip and sit back and enjoy the action.
Why is it called The Ashes?
Way, way back in 1882, the Australian cricket team travelled to The Oval and won their first ever Test on English soil. After such a shock defeat, a satirical obituary was published in British newspaper The Sporting Times, claiming English cricket was dead. It added that the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.
Obviously, no such thing actually happened, but the mythical ashes immediately became associated with the 1882/83 series played in Australia, before which the English captain Ivo Bligh had vowed to "regain those ashes". As a result, the English media dubbed the tour the 'quest to regain the Ashes'.
England managed to twin two of the three Tests on the tour and a small urn was presented to Blight by a witty group of Australian women, one of which Bligh would go on to marry a year later. He really liked that urn! The contents of the urn are reputed to be the ashes of a wooden bail, and were humorously described as "the ashes of Australian cricket".
There have been 69 Ashes series over the years since the first contest back in 1982 and the teams are dead level in terms of wins with 32 each and five drawn series. England were behind in the count for a number of years but after three successive victories from 2009 until the summer of 2013, they evened things up.
However, in the second of two Ashes series held in 2013, Australia hosted and won the series five test matches to nil. This was the third time Australia has completed a clean sweep (or "whitewash") in Ashes history, a feat never matched by England.
England were able to level things up once again when they won the 2015 series with two victories and three draws. So with the 2017-18 series looming on the horizon, who will once again take the overall lead?