It isn’t quite do or die for England in the Cricket World Cup on Sunday but it is that if they want to keep their destiny in their own hands. They face India knowing that they have to win both their remaining matches to be guaranteed a place in the knockout stages of their own party.
India are not completely guaranteed their own semi-final berth yet so they will be eager to win here to secure that with the minimum of fuss which sets up a wonderful contest on the Edgbaston outfield.
AllSportsBetting Podcast
Kev and Steve return to pick the bones out of where England’s problems lie heading into this crunch encounter and also to give their best bets for the match among other things. Click play on the video below to listen to their thoughts.
England
I voiced my concerns over England from the second match into this tournament and they have come to pass over the last couple of matches. As the pressure has intensified their best cricket has gone missing and they have to find it if they are going to make it into the semi-finals. If there is a positive for Eoin Morgan and his men it is that they won’t have to go searching too far to see where they are going wrong.
Their batting has looked shackled for most of the tournament and those knocks against Bangladesh and Afghanistan have only really papered over the cracks. Injuries haven’t helped them in that regard but you get the feeling England are caught between sticking and twisting, a position they have been in all too regularly. They need to work out which strategy to adopt and fast. On the flip side they look in decent enough shape with the ball.
India
The Indians head into this match still unbeaten for their campaign. It would be wrong to suggest they have convinced at all times but they have got the job done and you can never criticise a team for that. They have an obvious concern which is their batting if you get through the top three. There isn’t a huge amount to come after that and what does come can be of a pedestrian pace so you do get some encouragement when playing them.
As with England though, there is no problems with the ball for India and actually if anything the loss of Bhuvneshwar Kumar to injury earlier in the competition might have been a blessing in disguise with the form of Mohammad Shami since he came into the side to replace him. You would like to see India deliver a complete performance here but time will tell if it comes or not.
Team News
It would appear that England are going to roll the dice where the fitness of Jason Roy is concerned. He has to play here given the situation they are in. He’ll come in for James Vince. Jofra Archer is expected to be risked too despite not being fully fit.
India are expected to stick with Vijay Shankar at four despite having two better options for that position and despite the fact it doesn’t work. That could see them being unchanged given the form of Shami.
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Betting
I can’t see beyond India here I have to say. Ashley Giles says this will be the best batting wicket of the tournament but there is no way it can’t be dry with the weather in the UK over the last few days and that plays straight into the hands of the Indians. England should improve with the return of Jason Roy but even then he is likely to face a trial by spin which isn’t going to be helpful. I have concerns with India’s middle order but England have to get there first and it isn’t like England’s batting is firing on all cylinders. England look like a side who aren’t enjoying the pressure. India are used to that scrutiny and I think they win this.
You would think that England’s top scorer in this match will be a good player of spin so with that in mind it could pay to have a little dabble on Moeen Ali to top score. He is as good a player of spin as there is in the England set up at present and he probably owes his team an innings after a couple of indifferent outings with the bat. This used to be his home ground for a good while so he’ll know how the wicket plays and at 20/1 he’s well worth a go.
Tips
Back India to beat England for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with BetVictor
Back them here:
VOID – Back M.Ali Top England Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 21.00 with Betfred
Back him here:
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