Posted: 25th June 2009

Paul Allen thinks skipper Andrew has the special powers to win back cricket's biggest prize

IT'S going to take a super-hero to help England to wrench The Ashes back from Australia this summer - so let's see who's going to be our very own Batman and Bowlman.

First in line for me is the man who leads the team from the front - Andrew Strauss. He showed against the West Indies that he's a formidable opponent with the bat and could inspire his team with a big innings when it really counted.

That sort of determination is the key ingredient against the ever-aggressive Aussies and Strauss is built of stern stuff. He looks a world class batsman when he's in full flow and being captain and opening bat means he's going to get to the crease more than anyone else. So I'll be taking the 10.5 with Betfair for Strauss to end up as the overall Top England Series Batsman.

The England bowling line-up is starting to come together nicely. They have been searching for the four-seamer attack that undid Australia four years ago - and look as though they have got just that.

James Anderson has established himself as one of the best opening bowlers in the world (and about time, some would say).

With the home conditions favouring a swing bowler, he looks sure to have a great series.

Left armer Ryan Sidebottom offers a nice variety as his new-ball partner and youngster Stuart Broad is developing into a genuine all-rounder who can only get better.

The fourth bowler is the enigmatic Andrew Flintoff. His power as a talisman for the side is probably even more handy than his bowling - but his fitness remains a serious worry. Far too much of a worry to risk backing to back him to be the side's best bowler at around the 4-1 mark.

The layers are taking no chances with spinner Graeme Swann (best price 4-1 with Paddy Power and Skybet), while Monty Panesar is so out of form that even the 16-1 with Ladbroke's looks mean. No, the best chance of success surely lies with pace and at long last Anderson can repay the faith that England have placed in him over the years to come up trumps at a general 5-2. If for any reason Flintoff doesn't make the series, Graham Onions looks sure to take his place and is a very tempting 10s with Blue Square.

The Australians are very hard to weigh up. Mixed messages came from their recent clashes with South Africa and any wagers must be light. They are a side on the slide who lack quality in depth.

Ricky Ponting is the class act and an obvious bet at around the 3-1 mark, but I think their top order will come under pressure from the England bowlers (particularly if they get the series off to a good start) and the man that stands out for me is Mike Hussey, a reliable heavy-scoring middle order batsman who might be called on more times than his side would have hoped. The 7-1 with Betfair looks outstanding value.

Without Shane Warne, the Aussie attack looks much less daunting and they will share the wickets pretty evenly. So perhaps the safest bet is to go with Brett Lee. He may be getting on at 32, but in betting terms he's the man with the scorching pace to mop up the lower order. And it's not the quality of wickets that the bookies pay out on it's the number of wickets. So I like the 7-2 with Coral for Lee to be the Top Australian Bowler.

The series could be very well be decided on the last Test at The Oval at the end of August and if that's so, the series scores to concentrate on are 2-2 (top price 9.5 with Sportingbet) and England to win 3-1 (20s with Betfair). You make your own choice, but I'll take England's super heroes to win it 3-1.

ASHES RECOMMENDED BETS

• 10pts - Top England Series Batsman - Andrew Strauss (10.5 Betfair)
• 10pts - Top England Series Bowler - James Anderson (3.5 Ladbrokes, Blue Square)
• 10pts - Top Australian Batsman - Mike Hussey (8 Betfair)
• 10pts - Top Australian Bowler - Brett Lee (4.5 Coral)
• Series Correct Score - England to win 3-1 (20 Betfair)