England begin their second Test series of the summer on Thursday when they take on West Indies over three matches which includes the first ever day-night Test match in the country to open up proceedings.
The home side will be looking to build on their recent win over South Africa by winning this one while West Indies will be out for a shock of their own over the next month or so.
Schedule
1st Test: 17-21 Aug at Edgbaston (day/night)
2nd Test: 25-29 Aug at Headingley
3rd Test: 7-11 Sept at Lord’s
England
After a tough winter England bounced back to form with a good series win against South Africa recently. We would be disguising things to suggest that they were dominant in the series and that there were no lingering issues but winning breeds confidence so they should be full of that at least.
Ahead of facing Australia in The Ashes in their next series after this one Joe Root’s men will be looking to maintain that confidence and momentum. In an ideal world in this series they will find a settled top order who churn out a significant amount of runs to have everything spot on as they head down under.
West Indies
The struggles West Indies have had in recent times have been well documented but they have a chance to save face here. In many ways you could argue that over these three matches they have little to lose and can give this a good go because most judges would expect them to lose and probably by a 3-0 scoreline.
If the Windies are to get anything out of this series they will need their top three to stand up to the new ball class of England. You can’t beat this England side if you don’t see off the new ball because as South Africa found out once England are on top of you they very rarely relinquish the advantage.
Head to Head
In all these two have played out no fewer than 35 previous Test series. England have won 13 of those including six of the last eight. West Indies have won 16 and there have been six draws in that time. 20 of those series have been in England where the home side have won 10 series including the last five. West Indies have eight wins with a couple of draws in the 90s.
The two sides have played 151 matches against each other through the years. West Indies still maintain the advantage with 54 wins to England’s 46 along with 51 draws but the recent sway has been firmly with England.
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Betting
I’m going to go into the series with three bets. The first is a small punt on England to win the series 2-1. I fully expect England to win the series and I expect there to be results in all three matches but what nobody can be confident of is how the opening game will go.
It might be that the West Indies have the edge in it having played a day-night match in the past and if they can get the early advantage while England are working out what is what they might be able to claim a lead which England would then have to overturn in the last two matches. At 8/1 that score looks the value play in the score market.
Roston Chase has impressed me ever since he came into the West Indies side. In a very ordinary team he averages just a shade under 50 with the bat in Test cricket and that is despite playing two very competent attacks in India and Pakistan. He seems to like English conditions too. Since touching down for this tour he has had four knocks and made 50 or more in each one. I like Jermaine Blackwood too but Chase is the one to beat in my eyes when it comes to the top West Indies series batsman.
One problem for the West Indies in recent times has been their inability to play spin and now that England have confirmed they will not be playing Mason Crane in the opening match of the series and with them certainly not likely to play two spinners at Headingley, Moeen Ali looks a live chance as the top England series bowler.
If England go 2 up in this series I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they change a number of seamers at Lord’s especially with Chris Woakes back and that being Steven Finn’s home ground. Ali should be the constant in the side and that alone could see him as England’s leading wicket taker in the series.
Tips
WON – Back England to win 2-1 for a 1/10 stake at 9.00 with William Hill
Back them here:
Back R.Chase Top West Indies Series Batsman for a 2/10 stake at 6.00 with Ladbrokes
Back him here:
Back M.Ali Top England Series Bowler for a 2/10 stake at 5.00 with BetVictor
Back him here:
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