England conclude their winter of cricket over the next week when they take on the West Indies in three ODIs out in the Caribbean which acts as the starter for the international summer for the hosts. After the World T20 final between these two sides last year neither are lacking in motivation so we should get a good mini-series.
Schedule
1st ODI: Mar 3 at Antigua
2nd ODI: Mar 5 at Antigua
3rd ODI: Mar 9 at Barbados
West Indies
These will be the first ODIs the West Indies have played in 2017. Their last outing in this format of the game saw them fail to make the final in a series in Zimbabwe which doesn’t exactly bode well for them. In all they have won just two of their last 11 ODIs so clearly they are up against it heading into this series. The last seven of those matches have been away from home though.
West Indies will be missing some star names who are playing in the various T20 leagues around the world but they still look to have plenty of power at their disposal not to mention plenty of quality options and they will be out to start off their summer with a bang and by making a statement.
England
England’s last ODIs were in India earlier in the year when they lost 2-1 in a series littered with high scores. Prior to that they were beating Bangladesh in a three match series so Eoin Morgan’s men should be arriving in the Caribbean with their tails up and full of confidence for the matches to come.
England will be without one or two big players for them who are still nursing injuries and things but on the whole they go into the series at close to full strength. They have so much depth to their options these days that they can afford to be light of one or two key players as someone else will step into the breach.
Head to Head
These two nations have met in 18 previous bilateral ODI series with the West Indies having had the better of them. They have won ten series and lost seven with a draw in there but they won’t need reminding that England have won the last four series.
When it comes to matches between the two there is nothing between them. Both sides have won 42 ODIs against the other and there have been four no results but it is certainly England who have had the better of things recently.
Betting
I don’t really like betting on three match series outcomes because the first match is so big. I might have a little bit of whoever loses the opening match to see if they can turn things around so in terms of a bet heading into the series I’m going to the player markets.
Neither of the batting markets do anything for me but the bowler ones do in particular the England series bowler market where I believe Liam Plunkett is overpriced. On these slow wickets you need someone with pace to rush the batsmen and Plunkett definitely has that. He is given the responsibility in some key overs now and can get wickets by pitching the ball up or by bowling short.
There are some wicket taking options in this England side such as Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid but for me the pick of the value lies with Plunkett across the three matches.
Tips
WON – Back L.Plunkett Top England Series Bowler for a 2/10 stake at 5.00 with Betfred
Back him here:
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