Cricket stars could benefit from a successful Ashes summer
An Ashes victory over Australia should ensure that an English cricketer wins this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year, bookmakers believe.At present, Formula One driver Jenson Button is the firm favourite for the 2009 title, having emerged as a surprise leader in this year's racing championship.
However, while the odds of Button have been shortened following Andy Murray's semi-final defeat at Wimbledon, he could be pipped to the award should England beat their old rivals over the summer.
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Andrew Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Strauss are the most-fancied cricketers to take the Sports Personality crown, with all of them at about 50-1 with Sportingbet, though according to William Hill, there is still a long summer of sport to go before a decision is made.
Graham Sharpe, a spokesman for William Hill, noted: "If Andy were to reach the US Open final at least, and Jenson blew the world title, it could still be a close run thing, but we believe that England cricketers may now have the best chance of beating Button ... always assuming they win the Ashes."
With the 2009 Ashes due to begin in Cardiff, Australia have been dealt a blow by the news that pace bowler Brett Lee will sit out for first Test through injury.
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