Thursday 22nd see's the start of a four test series between England and the West Indies. This series comes off the back of a 3-0 whitewash to England over New Zealand and a 3-0 win from a four test series earlier in the year against these same West Indians. If it had not been for a docile wicket in the fourth and final test where Lara made a world's best individual score of 400, England would have whitewashed the Windies 4-0.
Englands rise in the world rankings for test cricket has risen due to finding a world class pace bowler and the ability to pick a settled team. A series win here will see England take on South Africa later this year for the rights to be number two in the world, although from a personnal point of view, not to much can be made of these rankings as India are the second best test team presently.
The one-day side has yet to take shape for England as they try different players with the world cup in 2007 as their aim. In the mean time, this test side will have to many guns for the West Indies. the bookmakers make England strong favourites at 2/5 (-250) to win the series, however, there are a number of interesting sub markets where I will look to exploit.
Mark Butcher was involved in a car accident on Monday evening and is in doubt for the first test. He alongwith Thorpe have been Englands best batsman in recent times and as a result of Butchers possible non involvement in this test I look for Thorpe to be best batsman (series) for England at a stand out price of 11/2.
How Corals can offer 9/4 for Harmison to be top wicket taker in the series is a joke and one I hope will make them pay come the end of the series. Harmisson dominated the West Indies earlier in the year and these Windies have a young bowling attack that will not be used to bowling in English climatic condiditions.
The one player the West Indies do have who would be in any International team is Brian Lara. I see no further than him to bat around the other players and make some sizeable scores. He has plenty of experience batting in England having played for Warwickshire for a number of seasons in the late 1990's.
Recommendations:
Brian Lara to be top West Indies runscorer @ 6/4 x 4points
Brian Lara to be top series runscorer (both sides) @ 4/1 x 1 point
Graham Thorpe to be top England runscorer @ 11/2 x 1 point
Steve Harmison to be top series wicket-taker (both sides) @ 9/4 x 3 points
England to win series 2-0 @ 9/2 x 1 point
England to win series 3-0 @ 5/1 x 1 point
Englands rise in the world rankings for test cricket has risen due to finding a world class pace bowler and the ability to pick a settled team. A series win here will see England take on South Africa later this year for the rights to be number two in the world, although from a personnal point of view, not to much can be made of these rankings as India are the second best test team presently.
The one-day side has yet to take shape for England as they try different players with the world cup in 2007 as their aim. In the mean time, this test side will have to many guns for the West Indies. the bookmakers make England strong favourites at 2/5 (-250) to win the series, however, there are a number of interesting sub markets where I will look to exploit.
Mark Butcher was involved in a car accident on Monday evening and is in doubt for the first test. He alongwith Thorpe have been Englands best batsman in recent times and as a result of Butchers possible non involvement in this test I look for Thorpe to be best batsman (series) for England at a stand out price of 11/2.
How Corals can offer 9/4 for Harmison to be top wicket taker in the series is a joke and one I hope will make them pay come the end of the series. Harmisson dominated the West Indies earlier in the year and these Windies have a young bowling attack that will not be used to bowling in English climatic condiditions.
The one player the West Indies do have who would be in any International team is Brian Lara. I see no further than him to bat around the other players and make some sizeable scores. He has plenty of experience batting in England having played for Warwickshire for a number of seasons in the late 1990's.
Recommendations:
Brian Lara to be top West Indies runscorer @ 6/4 x 4points
Brian Lara to be top series runscorer (both sides) @ 4/1 x 1 point
Graham Thorpe to be top England runscorer @ 11/2 x 1 point
Steve Harmison to be top series wicket-taker (both sides) @ 9/4 x 3 points
England to win series 2-0 @ 9/2 x 1 point
England to win series 3-0 @ 5/1 x 1 point
