Stuart Broad the favourite for BBC Sports Personality of the Year after Ashes heroics

STUART BROAD is the favourite to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The England star's Ashes heroics have seen him move ahead of another legend in the odds.

New odds released by William Hill have Broad shortened to a 5-2 favourite after previously being priced at 20-1.

He sits just ahead of Frankie Dettori at 11-4 as the leading candidate to win the award later this year.

Team-mate Ben Stokes completes the top three at 8-1 ahead of sprinter Zharnel Hughes and Lionesses star Alessia Russo.

William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps explained: "Stuart Broad taking the final wicket of the series to tie things up at 2-2 is a dream ending.

"Sports Personality of the Year can often be awarded to honour a career, not just a 12-month performance, and with Broad both announcing his retirement and performing at the top of his game, we have a serious contender.

"At the moment, it’s a toss-up between retiring legendary jockey Frankie Dettori, who’s 11-4, and Broad, whose odds have shortened from 20-1 to 5-2 in the space of 48 hours.

"With that said, this could be a lively market over the coming weeks and months.

"The Lionesses will hopefully go deeper into the Women’s World Cup, while we’ve got the small matter of a Rugby World Cup and a Ryder Cup on the agenda."

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BBC SPOTY latest betting odds

Stuart Broad - 5-2

Frankie Dettori - 11-4

Ben Stokes - 8-1

Zharnel Hughes - 14-1

Alessia Russo - 16-1

Broad's bowling proved crucial to England's performance in the final Ashes test as they drew the five-match series with Australia.

The seamer took the final two wickets on day five after flipping the bails, once again pulling off his superstitious trick.

They will be his final wickets for England after Broad announced his retirement on Saturday.