The international summer begins in England on Thursday when England open up a busy period with a two match Test series against Pakistan. This is the lesser part of the summer with Australia and India to come later but these two matches could set the tone.
Both these sides are in something of a place where they need to find some consistency in this format. Their one day cricket is sorted for the time being but both are proud nations in the longer format of the game.
Schedule
1st Test: 24-28 May at Lords
2nd Test: 1-5 Jun at Leeds
England
After a horrendous winter, England will be eager to get back to winning ways in this series. They can take heart from the fact that they are generally good in their own conditions but with a new head of selectors in operation now you get the feeling that everyone is under pressure for their place. England will be happy with building some winning form, but it has been a while since they have looked dominant and it would be nice if they can be dominant here.
The big problem that England have, and have had for quite some time, is with their batting. That has been identified though looking at the squad and the changes that are likely to be made and it will be interesting to see how those moves play out. It remains key that their bowling attack, so flat and one-paced in Australia, exploit conditions as usual.
Pakistan
We have already seen something that Pakistan have to offer in this format when they went and played Ireland in the sole Test earlier in the month. They picked up a win in that match and will be expecting to kick on over these next two matches ahead of the cricket that they have coming up later in the year.
Pakistan are in much the same boat as England in many ways. They have a bowling attack that should be able to exploit the English conditions but they also have a batting line up which you look at, and while you see some strong players, in the back of your mind there is a fragile or flaky look that can be exposed.
Head to Head
These two nations are no strangers to playing Test series against each other. They have done so 24 times in the past with England having won nine of them and Pakistan triumphing eight times. Such is the close nature of these two teams there have been seven drawn series including the last time Pakistan were in England. England have won seven of the 14 series they have hosted. Pakistan have three wins and there have been four draws.
In terms of matches there have been more draws than wins for either side with 37 of the 81 Tests between these two being drawn. England just have the edge in the matches won though. They have 24 wins to the 20 of Pakistan.
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Betting
I’m not often one for betting too much on these two match series but there are a couple of value punts which jump out at me for this one which I will allow myself to indulge in. The first of those comes in the double chance market where the Pakistan-draw option is far too big a price at 7/4. In layman’s terms we are looking at 7/4 for Pakistan to win a match or to draw them both and when you consider England’s horrible recent record at Headingley that is great value. When you throw in England’s shaky batting and the pressure they are under I think that price is too big on a Pakistan who probably only need to be inspired for a couple of days to gain a big advantage in one of the two matches.
The other bet I like is for Asad Shafiq to top score for Pakistan. I’ve said it in the past when Pakistan have toured England that I think he is a brilliant player and while Azhar Ali is a danger I’m not sure I want to be on an opener in May in English conditions. Shafiq has made his way up to number four since he was last in England which is a perfect spot for him and as long as he gets equal time at the crease I can see him topping the Pakistan runs across the two matches.
Tips
WON – Back Pakistan-Draw Double Chance for a 3/10 stake at 2.75 with William Hill
Back A.Shafiq Top Pakistan Series Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 6.50 with William Hill
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