Australia are already odds-on favourites to regain the Ashes when England tour Down Under in the winter of 2006.

Despite Michael Vaughan's side taking back the famous urn they are only 9/5 to win the next series between the two teams, while Australia are quoted at 8/11 by William Hill. A series draw is 9/2.

Vaughan is 1/6 to still be England captain when the next Ashes series gets underway and 7/2 to have stood down by then.

Ricky Ponting is 5/6 to still be Aussie skipper and 5/6 not to be.