Free beer for all if Australia wins Ashes

SYDNEY - Australian cricket sponsor Victoria Bitter has promised to give free beer to every Australian adult if the home team beats England in the upcoming Ashes series.

If the Australian team takes back the Ashes, vouchers for Victoria Bitter will be printed in five national newspapers following the final test Jan 8, the New Zealand Herald reported Tuesday.

At the current retail price, the promotion would cost $19 million if all of the 13 million adult Australians redeem their free drink.

However, cricket experts say Victoria Bitter has timed the promotion well, as this is the first series where England appear to have a strong chance of winning.

The first Test begins Nov 25 at the Gabba in Brisbane.