After one of the most one-sided Test matches in recent times in the day-night match at Edgbaston last week, England and West Indies return to more traditional fayre this week when they battle it out in the second Test of three at Headingley which begins on Friday.
England’s comfortable victory in Birmingham means that they can seal the series with a match to spare if they can be victorious here. West Indies will need a remarkable improvement just to be competitive but they will keep the series alive if they avoid defeat.
England
You very rarely get a perfect performance in sport but England’s one at Edgbaston was very close to it. If they were being greedy then they might have liked some runs for Mark Stoneman and to a lesser extent Tom Westley but they will come I’m sure. That aside Joe Root should have been delighted with his side.
England took care of a pretty shoddy bowling attack in ruthless fashion in Birmingham and then gave that attack a lesson in the disciplines needed to prevail in Test match cricket. In truth they never had to do a lot to get their wickets but even so nothing should be taken away from what was a top class performance.
West Indies
Where do we begin with West Indies? They were little short of a shambles in that first match and while they are talking a good game in terms of improving for this one I am still not sure they have what is necessary to come close to competing in this match. Just competing in a few sessions is all we can expect I believe.
I was most disappointed with West Indies’ bowling attack in the first Test. I expected them to struggle with the bat against a high class English bowling unit but the way they bowled themselves was very poor and actually quite surprising as on their day that is just about the one positive regarding their game now.
Team News
Joe Root has confirmed England will make one change for this match which means Chris Woakes will come back into the side after he has recovered from injury. Toby Roland-Jones will make way.
West Indies will be hoping that Shannon Gabriel is back to give their attack a bit of extra pep. He could come in for Miguel Cummins if he is fit. They are expected to be unchanged if he is not available.
Headingley
The famous Yorkshire venue has been the scene of some of the best periods of Test cricket down the years. In total there have been 75 previous Test matches at this ground. England have a 32-24 record with 18 draws from the 74 games they have played here. West Indies are 6-5 with a draw.
I always think this is a good cricket wicket. On a sunny day, a rarity in Yorkshire I appreciate!, it is fairly easy to bat here but when there is cloud cover the ball will start doing all sorts and it can be tough for the batsmen.
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Betting
I see this match going much the same way the first Test did. I think England will dominate from start to finish. The only difference I can see is England could win this match even quicker than they did at Edgbaston although that one only went as long as it did because of the rain and there is none of that forecast here.
The first match ended inside three days and the last Test here also concluded in three days. West Indies have played two matches here since the turn of the century and have lost in two days and would have lost in three but for heavy rain. The 15/8 England win inside three days is too big to ignore.
As is the 11/10 on Joe Root to make 50 in the first innings. Root is on this crazy run of matches where he has made 50 of more in an innings and given that there is every chance he will only bat once here it makes sense to back him to make 50 in the first dig. This is his home ground so he will be keen to impress. He’ll know the wicket and off the back of a ton he should fill his boots again.
I took Roston Chase to be the top West Indies series batsman but having watched the first Test it could be the aggressive, swing hard attitude of Jermaine Blackwood that is more beneficial to what the West Indies need and after a decent first go at Edgbaston I am surprised he is 6/1 to repeat his heroics here. That looks a big price so he’s going to be my first innings top batsman bet.
Tips
Back England to win in Days 1, 2 or 3 for a 4/10 stake at 2.88 with Skybet
Back it here:
WON – Back J.Root 1st Inns 50 for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with William Hill
Back him here:
Back J.Blackwood Top West Indies 1st Inns Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 7.00 with Bet365
Back him here:
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