LONDON, March 22: British bookmakers have slashed the odds on England retaining the Ashes in Australia after Andrew Flintoff skippered the side to their first Test win in India since 1985. England’s chances of following last summer’s Ashes triumph on home soil with victory Down Under are now rated a 2-1 shot with William Hill, down from 9-4 before the third Test win in India.

Australia remain odds-on favourites to win at 4-6 with a drawn series offered at 9-2.

Hills have also shortened the odds on Flintoff captaining England for the first Ashes Test from 2-1 to 7-4, reflecting the astute way he masterminded England’s 212-run victory in Mumbai with a depleted squad.—AFP