This summer's cricket is about to reach fever pitch with the start of the Ashes on Thursday and Ladbrokes have released a host of special bets on the First Test.

If you fancy the drama to unfold with a wicket from the very first ball of the series, that is price at 20/1. Will the Aussie batsmen pile on the agony for the English bowlers by amassing 600 or more runs in the first innings, priced at 7/1.

We all know about the bowling of Shane Warne, but Ladbrokes offer 16/1 for him to get a 50 with the bat. More generous odds available on batsmen getting a pair of ducks, England captain Nasser Hussain is 33/1 to get a pair with counterpart Steve Waugh priced at 50/1.

A couple of good bets could be the 7/1 available on Michael Atherton to score a century - the England opener only needs 118 runs to overtake Colin Cowdrey on the all-time England runs list. Shane Warne only needs seven wickets to overtake the great Ian Botham on the all-time wicket-takers' list and is a good outside bet at 14/1 to take ten wickets in the First Test.

These are just a showcase of the special bets available on the First Test - check out Ladbrokes for other specials such as player match betting, betting on a hat trick and even when the match will finish.

Please note: odds are subject to change. Please check out the Ladbrokes site for the latest prices

© Ladbrokes