All eyes will be on Edgbaston on Wednesday when England and India set off in the first of five Test matches over the next six weeks which might go some way to giving us the identity of the best side in the world in this format.
India don’t play too many five match series these days so it is understandable why there is plenty of hype and profile around this one. England have a point to prove against a good side so this one could barely be better set up.
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England
Test cricket has been a struggle for far too long for England and with their supporters becoming disillusioned with their performances there is real pressure on them to perform and deliver here. The big issue appears to be a lack of game nous or refusal to swerve away from an aggressive intent but they will need to be patient if they are going to contend here.
You would think England will find their way with the ball in this match. In fairness it hasn’t been their bowlers that have been the issue. It has been the inability of their batsmen to score big runs especially in the first innings and far too often when a wicket falls you sense three or four more will follow soon after. That needs to change here.
India
If it wasn’t for the fact that they are India this could be considered a free shot at England for the tourists but given that it is there is a pressure, and dare I say it for the first time in a while, an expectation for the visitors to go to England and win. In the past series like this might have been written off as bonuses if anything came from them but I sense that is not the case this time around.
The reasons for that are fairly obvious. They have a batting line up which is strong and the envy of many sides across the world and they now have an attack which can thrive in foreign conditions. If the two perform as one solid unit they will be tough to beat but there is always that doubt in the mind about whether English conditions go against them.
Team News
England have already announced their XI for this match and will bring back Adil Rashid as the one spinner. Sam Curran gets the other seam spot while Dawid Malan has been passed fit to feature for the home side.
India have named Kuldeep Yadav in their squad for this series but the vibes on him making his debut here have gone quiet. All eyes will be on the top of the order to see if Shikhar Dhawan has kept his place or whether KL Rahul will open.
Edgbaston
There have been 50 previous Tests at this ground and generally it is a decent venue for England. They have won 27 times to just eight defeats with 15 draws. India have played six previous matches on this ground and they are still looking for their first win. They have only had one draw in that time too.
Although this is a good batting wicket the bowlers are usually in the game which makes for action packed cricket as we’ve seen a number of times in the past. All eyes will be on the pitch which is said to have been heavily watered but which will need to stand up to temperatures which are set to rise once again.
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Betting
I’ve taken a few series bets and I’m largely going to let them ride in this match because the mixed reports about the wicket and the doubts that still remain over whether India can do it in English conditions are making betting on the match quite difficult. I still think India will win the series but you should never oppose England on this ground.
One bet I do like though comes in the form of the player performance markets where Ravi Ashwin has a low line at 100.5. If there is an Indian who will be fine in these conditions it should be the off spinner as he had a lengthy stint at Worcestershire last year to adjust to them. I’m not sure if this wicket will seam around like some are saying but I’m fairly certain it will dry out and turn at some point although Ashwin probably won’t need it to. As well as waiting for it to turn he’ll score runs with the bat and I expect him to cover this line pretty comfortably.
Tips
WON – Back R.Ashwin’s Performance – Over 100.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Bet365
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