Bookies cut odds on England Ashes win

They have slashed the odds on England retaining the Ashes in Australia after Flintoff skippered his side to first Test win in India since '85.

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.

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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.

"England showed great character in levelling the Series with India and as a result we have shortened their price of retaining the Ashes but it will be no easy task and the Aussies are still the favourites," said Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.