Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series

[kevshat]

England host the West Indies in a 4 test series which begins at Lords on Thursday. As the England squad is announced tomorrow I've started the thread tonight so discussion can go in here. Series odds

:bg_popupOptionTable('Default.aspx?market=32295615&view=all', '2', '0')'>Best odds/All odds :bg_a(1,133903444,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,135789311,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,133928576,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,135393892,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,135789275,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,133596141,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,134319708,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,135618143,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,133540017,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,135000701,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,135025620,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,133788113,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,133549990,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,133593436,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,135329730,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,133597751,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,133731155,0,0,1)'> England :bg_a(0,133903444,2,11,0)'>1.18 :bg_a(0,135789311,1,5,0)'>1.2 :bg_a(0,133928576,27,100,1)'>1.27 :bg_a(0,135393892,1,5,0)'>1.2 :bg_a(0,135789275,1,5,0)'>1.2 :bg_a(0,133596141,1,6,0)'>1.16 :bg_a(0,134319708,1,4,1)'>1.25 :bg_a(0,135618143,1,6,0)'>1.16 :bg_a(0,133540017,1,5,0)'>1.2 :bg_a(0,135000701,13,50,1)'>1.26 :bg_a(0,135025620,2,7,0)'>1.28 :bg_a(0,133788113,1,6,0)'>1.16 :bg_a(0,133549990,2,9,0)'>1.22 :bg_a(0,133593436,1,5,1)'>1.2 :bg_a(0,135329730,7,25,1)'>1.28 :bg_a(0,133597751,27,100,1)'>1.27 :bg_a(0,133731155,1,5,1)'>1.2 Draw :bg_a(0,133903443,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,135789313,9,2,0)'>5.5 :bg_a(0,133928577,53,10,1)'>6.3 :bg_a(0,135393894,9,2,0)'>5.5 :bg_a(0,135789277,9,2,0)'>5.5 :bg_a(0,133596142,6,1,0)'>7 :bg_a(0,134319709,5,1,1)'>6 :bg_a(0,135618145,6,1,0)'>7 :bg_a(0,133540018,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,135000702,21,4,1)'>6.25 :bg_a(0,135025621,4,1,0)'>5 :bg_a(0,133788114,11,2,0)'>6.5 :bg_a(0,133549992,4,1,0)'>5 :bg_a(0,133593437,9,2,1)'>5.5 :bg_a(0,135329732,57,10,1)'>6.7 :bg_a(0,133597750,33,5,1)'>7.6 :bg_a(0,133731156,24,5,1)'>5.8 West Indies :bg_a(0,133903445,10,1,0)'>11 :bg_a(0,135789312,9,1,0)'>10 :bg_a(0,133928578,42,5,1)'>9.4 :bg_a(0,135393895,10,1,0)'>11 :bg_a(0,135789276,9,1,0)'>10 :bg_a(0,133596143,8,1,0)'>9 :bg_a(0,134319710,9,1,1)'>10 :bg_a(0,135618144,8,1,0)'>9 :bg_a(0,133540019,8,1,0)'>9 :bg_a(0,135000703,31,4,1)'>8.75 :bg_a(0,135025622,8,1,0)'>9 :bg_a(0,133788115,8,1,0)'>9 :bg_a(0,133549991,10,1,0)'>11 :bg_a(0,133593438,9,1,1)'>10 :bg_a(0,135329731,9,1,1)'>10 :bg_a(0,133597752,9,1,1)'>10 :bg_a(0,133731157,-1,-1,1)'>-

Best price percentage: 101%, bookies only: 102%

Correct Score

:bg_popupOptionTable('Default.aspx?market=32295589&view=all', '2', '0')'>Best odds/All odds :bg_a(1,133538522,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,135789291,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,134306207,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,135169088,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,135789247,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,133594637,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,134483942,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,134350368,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,135349130,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,134357317,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,133788119,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,134804076,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,135023377,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,135788654,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,133934463,0,0,1)'> :bg_a(1,133596089,0,0,1)'> Draw 0-0 :bg_a(0,133538532,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,135789297,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,134306209,57,1,1)'>58 :bg_a(0,135169091,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,135789254,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,133594641,100,1,0)'>101 :bg_a(0,134483945,40,1,0)'>41 :bg_a(0,134350371,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,135349133,66,1,1)'>67 :bg_a(0,134357320,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,133788122,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,134804078,50,1,0)'>51 :bg_a(0,135023380,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,135788660,66,1,1)'>67 :bg_a(0,133934466,69,1,1)'>70 :bg_a(0,133596092,99,1,1)'>100 Draw 1-1 :bg_a(0,133538533,9,1,0)'>10 :bg_a(0,135789299,9,1,0)'>10 :bg_a(0,134306210,89,10,1)'>9.9 :bg_a(0,135169092,10,1,0)'>11 :bg_a(0,135789255,9,1,0)'>10 :bg_a(0,133594642,10,1,0)'>11 :bg_a(0,134483946,10,1,0)'>11 :bg_a(0,134350372,10,1,0)'>11 :bg_a(0,135349134,9,1,1)'>10 :bg_a(0,134357321,9,1,0)'>10 :bg_a(0,133788123,9,1,0)'>10 :bg_a(0,134804072,9,1,0)'>10 :bg_a(0,135023381,9,1,0)'>10 :bg_a(0,135788661,10,1,1)'>11 :bg_a(0,133934467,19,2,1)'>10.5 :bg_a(0,133596093,13,1,1)'>14 Draw 2-2 :bg_a(0,133538535,16,1,0)'>17 :bg_a(0,135789300,16,1,0)'>17 :bg_a(0,134306211,18,1,1)'>19 :bg_a(0,135169093,16,1,0)'>17 :bg_a(0,135789257,16,1,0)'>17 :bg_a(0,133594643,14,1,0)'>15 :bg_a(0,134483947,20,1,0)'>21 :bg_a(0,134350373,16,1,0)'>17 :bg_a(0,135349135,18,1,1)'>19 :bg_a(0,134357322,12,1,0)'>13 :bg_a(0,133788124,22,1,0)'>23 :bg_a(0,134804073,16,1,0)'>17 :bg_a(0,135023382,14,1,0)'>15 :bg_a(0,135788662,14,1,1)'>15 :bg_a(0,133934468,20,1,1)'>21 :bg_a(0,133596094,23,1,1)'>24 England 1-0 :bg_a(0,133538519,22,1,0)'>23 :bg_a(0,135789286,18,1,0)'>19 :bg_a(0,134302767,27,2,1)'>14.5 :bg_a(0,135169085,18,1,0)'>19 :bg_a(0,135789241,18,1,0)'>19 :bg_a(0,133594635,18,1,0)'>19 :bg_a(0,134483933,16,1,0)'>17 :bg_a(0,134350365,18,1,0)'>19 :bg_a(0,135349127,18,1,1)'>19 :bg_a(0,134357314,18,1,0)'>19 :bg_a(0,133788116,18,1,0)'>19 :bg_a(0,134804039,16,1,0)'>17 :bg_a(0,135023374,16,1,0)'>17 :bg_a(0,135788648,16,1,1)'>17 :bg_a(0,133934460,15,1,1)'>16 :bg_a(0,133596086,20,1,1)'>21 England 2-0 :bg_a(0,133538520,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,135789288,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,134306208,49,10,1)'>5.9 :bg_a(0,135169086,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,135789243,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,133594636,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,134483940,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,134350366,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,135349128,5,1,1)'>6 :bg_a(0,134357315,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,133788117,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,134804040,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,135023375,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,135788650,5,1,1)'>6 :bg_a(0,133934461,26,5,1)'>6.2 :bg_a(0,133596087,27,5,1)'>6.4 England 2-1 :bg_a(0,133538521,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,135789289,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,134302768,22,5,1)'>5.4 :bg_a(0,135169087,9,2,0)'>5.5 :bg_a(0,135789245,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,133594639,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,134483941,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,134350367,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,135349129,5,1,1)'>6 :bg_a(0,134357316,11,2,0)'>6.5 :bg_a(0,133788118,6,1,0)'>7 :bg_a(0,134804041,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,135023376,5,1,0)'>6 :bg_a(0,135788652,5,1,1)'>6 :bg_a(0,133934462,47,10,1)'>5.7 :bg_a(0,133596088,31,5,1)'>7.2 England 3-0 :bg_a(0,133538522,11,4,0)'>3.75 :bg_a(0,135789291,11,4,0)'>3.75 :bg_a(0,134306207,57,20,1)'>3.85 :bg_a(0,135169088,3,1,0)'>4 :bg_a(0,135789247,11,4,0)'>3.75 :bg_a(0,133594637,3,1,0)'>4 :bg_a(0,134483942,3,1,0)'>4 :bg_a(0,134350368,3,1,0)'>4 :bg_a(0,135349130,3,1,1)'>4 :bg_a(0,134357317,11,4,0)'>3.75 :bg_a(0,133788119,3,1,0)'>4 :bg_a(0,134804076,11,4,0)'>3.75 :bg_a(0,135023377,3,1,0)'>4 :bg_a(0,135788654,3,1,1)'>4 :bg_a(0,133934463,3,1,1)'>4 :bg_a(0,133596089,27,10,1)'>3.7 England 3-1 :bg_a(0,133538523,7,1,0)'>8 :bg_a(0,135789293,7,1,0)'>8 :bg_a(0,134302769,67,10,1)'>7.7 :bg_a(0,135169089,6,1,0)'>7 :bg_a(0,135789249,7,1,0)'>8 :bg_a(0,133594640,8,1,0)'>9 :bg_a(0,134483943,8,1,0)'>9 :bg_a(0,134350369,7,1,0)'>8 :bg_a(0,135349131,8,1,1)'>9 :bg_a(0,134357318,8,1,0)'>9 :bg_a(0,133788120,8,1,0)'>9 :bg_a(0,134804077,6,1,0)'>7 :bg_a(0,135023378,7,1,0)'>8 :bg_a(0,135788656,15,2,1)'>8.5 :bg_a(0,133934464,71,10,1)'>8.1 :bg_a(0,133596090,41,5,1)'>9.2 England 4-0 :bg_a(0,133538525,10,3,0)'>4.33 :bg_a(0,135789295,7,2,0)'>4.5 :bg_a(0,134302770,33,10,1)'>4.3 :bg_a(0,135169090,7,2,0)'>4.5 :bg_a(0,135789251,7,2,0)'>4.5 :bg_a(0,133594638,7,2,0)'>4.5 :bg_a(0,134483944,7,2,0)'>4.5 :bg_a(0,134350370,7,2,0)'>4.5 :bg_a(0,135349132,13,4,1)'>4.25 :bg_a(0,134357319,7,2,0)'>4.5 :bg_a(0,133788121,3,1,0)'>4 :bg_a(0,134118768,3,1,0)'>4 :bg_a(0,135023379,7,2,0)'>4.5 :bg_a(0,135788658,7,2,1)'>4.5 :bg_a(0,133934465,7,2,1)'>4.5 :bg_a(0,133596091,37,10,1)'>4.7 W Indies 1-0 :bg_a(0,133538526,50,1,0)'>51 - :bg_a(0,134306215,49,1,1)'>50 :bg_a(0,135169094,50,1,0)'>51 - :bg_a(0,133594644,40,1,0)'>41 :bg_a(0,134483948,40,1,0)'>41 :bg_a(0,134350374,50,1,0)'>51 :bg_a(0,135349136,50,1,1)'>51 :bg_a(0,134357323,50,1,0)'>51 :bg_a(0,133788125,50,1,0)'>51 :bg_a(0,134804074,33,1,0)'>34 :bg_a(0,135023383,66,1,0)'>67 - :bg_a(0,133934469,59,1,1)'>60 :bg_a(0,133596095,45,1,1)'>46 W Indies 2-0 :bg_a(0,133538527,66,1,0)'>67 - :bg_a(0,134306214,57,1,1)'>58 :bg_a(0,135169095,66,1,0)'>67 - :bg_a(0,133594645,50,1,0)'>51 :bg_a(0,134483949,50,1,0)'>51 :bg_a(0,134350375,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,135349137,66,1,1)'>67 :bg_a(0,134357324,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,133788126,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,134804075,50,1,0)'>51 :bg_a(0,135023384,66,1,0)'>67 - :bg_a(0,133934470,69,1,1)'>70 :bg_a(0,133596096,59,1,1)'>60 W Indies 2-1 :bg_a(0,133538528,18,1,0)'>19 - :bg_a(0,134306213,18,1,1)'>19 :bg_a(0,135169096,20,1,0)'>21 - :bg_a(0,133594648,20,1,0)'>21 :bg_a(0,134483950,20,1,0)'>21 :bg_a(0,134350376,16,1,0)'>17 :bg_a(0,135349140,66,1,1)'>67 :bg_a(0,134357325,18,1,0)'>19 :bg_a(0,133788127,20,1,0)'>21 :bg_a(0,134804081,16,1,0)'>17 :bg_a(0,135023385,20,1,0)'>21 - :bg_a(0,133934471,20,1,1)'>21 :bg_a(0,133596097,26,1,1)'>27 W Indies 3-0 :bg_a(0,133538529,80,1,0)'>81 - :bg_a(0,134302771,71,1,1)'>72 :bg_a(0,135169097,150,1,0)'>151 - :bg_a(0,133594646,100,1,0)'>101 :bg_a(0,134483951,100,1,0)'>101 :bg_a(0,134350377,80,1,0)'>81 :bg_a(0,135349138,20,1,1)'>21 :bg_a(0,134357326,100,1,0)'>101 :bg_a(0,133788128,200,1,0)'>201 :bg_a(0,134804080,100,1,0)'>101 :bg_a(0,135023386,100,1,0)'>101 - :bg_a(0,133934472,89,1,1)'>90 :bg_a(0,133596098,47,1,1)'>48 W Indies 3-1 :bg_a(0,133538530,100,1,0)'>101 - :bg_a(0,134306212,67,1,1)'>68 :bg_a(0,135169098,100,1,0)'>101 - :bg_a(0,133594649,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,134483952,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,134350378,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,135349139,100,1,1)'>101 :bg_a(0,134357327,66,1,0)'>67 :bg_a(0,133788129,100,1,0)'>101 :bg_a(0,134804079,100,1,0)'>101 :bg_a(0,135023387,80,1,0)'>81 - :bg_a(0,133934473,83,1,1)'>84 :bg_a(0,133596099,59,1,1)'>60 W Indies 4-0 :bg_a(0,133538531,100,1,0)'>101 - :bg_a(0,134302772,79,1,1)'>80 :bg_a(0,135169099,200,1,0)'>201 - :bg_a(0,133594647,150,1,0)'>151 :bg_a(0,134483953,250,1,0)'>251 :bg_a(0,134350379,200,1,0)'>201 :bg_a(0,135349141,250,1,1)'>251 :bg_a(0,134357328,200,1,0)'>201 :bg_a(0,133788130,500,1,0)'>501 :bg_a(0,134118769,100,1,0)'>101 :bg_a(0,135023388,200,1,0)'>201 - :bg_a(0,133934474,101,1,1)'>102 :bg_a(0,133596100,159,1,1)'>160

Schedule May 2007 Thu 17 - Mon 21 1st Test - England v West Indies Lord's, London Fri 25 - Tue 29 2nd Test - England v West Indies Headingley, Leeds June 2007 Thu 7 - Mon 11 3rd Test - England v West Indies Old Trafford, Manchester Fri 15 - Tue 19 4th Test - England v West Indies Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street

I'll start with one. 3pts S.Chanderpaul Top West Indies Series Runscorer 10/3 Stan James West Indies arrive in England without their talisman Brian Lara and with another key batsman in awful form in Chris Gayle. Ramnaresh Sarwan skippers the side now and the extra burden on him could prove significant. Shivnerine Chanderpaul has been there done it and got a wardrobe full of T-shirts. He is solid as a rock and very tough to get out. Having played in English conditions before Chanderpaul will know exactly what to expect and at 10/3 represents a fair price for his ability. Youngsters Runako Morton and Dwayne Bravo could go well but Chanderpaul ticks all the boxes and we'll take him for top Windies batsman.

[Crouch Potato]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series Splendid, just checked the Pay TV site over here and I get telecasted so I can follow the action and join you for this one. Very much like the look of the Chanderpaul bet here. Sarwan is a danger but as you say the captaincy can well prove to be a burden. Don't exactly know a great deal about the Windies team but from the World Cup Taylor looked a decent conditions bowler so might have to take a closer look at that one (I haven't even checked if he's selected). I also have a love obsession with Kevin Pietersen who I love to blindly back for top series runs but I have this funny feeling that maybe Bell end will perform well against an ordinary attack. Don't mind the look of a drawn series either, what with the crap weather you blokes have and both teams the height of mediocrity. Christ you could let Chanderpaul bat for 2 days and he'd barely get 200!

[kevshat]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series

Splendid, just checked the Pay TV site over here and I get telecasted so I can follow the action and join you for this one. Very much like the look of the Chanderpaul bet here. Sarwan is a danger but as you say the captaincy can well prove to be a burden. Don't exactly know a great deal about the Windies team but from the World Cup Taylor looked a decent conditions bowler so might have to take a closer look at that one (I haven't even checked if he's selected). I also have a love obsession with Kevin Pietersen who I love to blindly back for top series runs but I have this funny feeling that maybe Bell end will perform well against an ordinary attack. Don't mind the look of a drawn series either, what with the crap weather you blokes have and both teams the height of mediocrity. Christ you could let Chanderpaul bat for 2 days and he'd barely get 200!

Glad you'll be joining us Crouchie :ok . If you back KP, check he's fit for the 1st test before parting with your cash. He missed our county match last week with a groin injury.

[kevshat]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series West Indies squad. Ramnaresh Sarwan (Captain), Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards, Daren Ganga (Vice-Captain), Christopher Gayle, Sylvester Joseph, Runako Morton, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Devon Smith, Darren Sammy, Jerome Taylor.

[Crouch Potato]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series Cheers mate. Can't be having any embarrassing repeats of that Lou Vincent incident. I am thinking of backing a drawn 1-1 series but will probably look to leave most of my bets for the player performances etc. :ok With the weather conditions the way they can be, do you find any value in backing Under for certain batsman on the player markets?

[kevshat]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series

Cheers mate. Can't be having any embarrassing repeats of that Lou Vincent incident. I am thinking of backing a drawn 1-1 series but will probably look to leave most of my bets for the player performances etc. :ok With the weather conditions the way they can be, do you find any value in backing Under for certain batsman on the player markets?

For sure mate yep. Also might well be worth looking at England batsmen anyway because we may only bat once in some of the matches and it only takes a failure and that's him done for :D . A good summer is expected weather wise apparently so hopefully the cricket is good too. Personally I think England will win 4-0 weather permitting. Our key players are coming along nicely with a bit of county cricket under their belts. West Indies only warmup match has been the match they are currently playing with Somerset.

[2hcb]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series

I am thinking of backing a drawn 1-1 series

don't!

I think England will win 4-0 weather permitting

agreed. West Indies have not improved since the last time we whitewashed them and they've lost Lara.

[kevshat]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series Just one more bet for now. 5pts S.Harmison Top England Wicket Taker 2/1 Blue Square Steve Harmison is a man with something to prove and he's got a real chance here to do that. After a shocking Ashes series where he bowled 'that' infamous 1st ball he needs a good series to get the believe of the nation back in him. There's no excuses on the form front because he's been rolling in the wickets in county cricket. He's got 24 wickets in 3 championship matches so he's bang on form. 3 years ago Harmison tore the Windies apart in the Caribbean and if the weather stays good he'll get bouncy tracks to do exactly the same over here this summer. On his day I believe there's no better bowler in the land and I expect Harmy, with a new lease of life under Peter Moores to show us what he's made of.

[Sharpe1ne]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series

Strauss to lead England at Lord's

Strauss was captain for the summer 2006 Tests against Pakistan Andrew Strauss will captain England in the first Test against West Indies at Lord's, and Sussex wicket-keeper Matt Prior will make his Test debut. Michael Vaughan misses out after failing to recover from a broken finger, but will hope to be fit for the second Test at Headingley from 25 May. Batsman Owais Shah is included, but there are no places for Lancashire pair James Anderson and Sajid Mahmood. Liam Plunkett is one of three Durham players in a squad of 12. As expected, number one batsman Kevin Pietersen has shrugged off a calf muscle injury to take his place in the side for the match starting on Thursday. Strauss led England to a 3-0 Test series win over Pakistan in the summer of 2006 when both Andrew Flintoff and Michael Vaughan were injured. Though Flintoff is fit and will play at Lord's, the Lancashire all-rounder struggled as captain during the Ashes tour and was later stripped of the vice-captaincy for indiscipline during the World Cup. England squad: Andrew Strauss (captain), Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Liam Plunkett, Matt Prior, Owais Shah.

[Sharpe1ne]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series One for me. Harmison Top England Wicket Taker. 9/4 Sporting Odds 10 pts. With Flintoff today complaining about discomfort in his left ankle and Harmison bowling with renewed vision how he can be 9/4 is odd. Hoggard will seem to be the only one challenging him if Flintoff is injured but I think Harmy has some thing to prove to the new England coach and on home soil and enjoying his cricket i expect him to fire.

[2hcb]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series does anyone know the weather forecast for the 1st test? there's been alot of rain about recently...

[davidmphill]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series If the weather holds up then I can't see anything bar a comfortable 4-0 win for England such is the state of cricket in the Carribbean. Lara has gone and all the younger players seem to be interested in is money with disagreements with the board over money. England need a strong showing following their humbling down under and I personally expect them to deliver that.

[kevshat]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series 1 more. 5pts England -2.5 to win Test Series 6/5 Bet365 England are head and shoulders above the West Indies in the test form of the game. The way England destroyed the Caribbean boys in their own back yard was superb and it was a similar story the last time West Indies played a test series on these shores. No Lara for the tourists and I just can't see where big big runs will come from with the exception of the ever reliable Shivnarine Chamderpaul. England have a good squad for the 1st test and lots of in form cricketers to fall back on in case injuries hit. The weather is set fair over the summer and although it could lead to 1 draw the weather is unlikely to produce 2 draws. If the weather stays fair this series will end 4-0 England and so the handicap looks a good thing.

[davidmphill]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series Looks a very solid bet that one Kev, best of luck with it.

[2hcb]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series

England -2.5 to win Test Series 6/5 >Bet365

I've been looking at that aswell kev, but I worry that the rain might have a say. I definately expect England to bounce back here and WIndies look rudderless to me. Any weather news or Flintoff news?

[kevshat]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series

Looks a very solid bet that one Kev' date=' best of luck with it.[/quote'] Cheers Dave. One of those bets that looks a winner whichever angle you view it from but it is still 6 weeks away from being settled so I've only gone 5pts on it. Not a fan of having a great deal of cash tied up and I've got 13pts already with 1 more I'm looking at. Only the weather can stop it but I understand we're due to have a good summer so I'm pretty confident.

[2hcb]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series

I understand we're due to have a good summer so I'm pretty confident.

that's great news! In which case I think I'll be on that aswell!

[Andre Stander]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series England v West Indies: Top England Series Batsman Alistair Cook - 6.00 @ Betfred Averages 43.2 in 1st 14 tests and has 4 centuries and 3 50's. Averages 47 in 1st class cricket and has 2 centuries in his opening 5 innings in county cricket this season. In great nick and should get a bucketload of runs opening the batting this series.

[2hcb]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series England undoubtedly have something to prove this series and they should be fired up. West indies have just lost Lara and look rudderless and disunited. The early season pitches will favour England's pace attack as will the cold conditions up North where 3/4 test are being held. WIndies batting is decent enough but bowling wise they look very weak. Harmison, Flintoff and Hoggard have all done well against them in the past and I expect the to prosper again with Hoggard key against WIndies left handers. England won 4-0 last time and if anything WIndies have got worse and England better with the additions of Panesar and Pietersen. England -2.5 @ 6/5 (Bet 365) anyone got any thoughts for top runscorer? Bell is available as top England runscorer at 5s, Collingwood at 6s. Bell in particular seems the type of player who will relish the WIndies average pace attack and will probably bat at no3.

[Cymro]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series Still mulling over this series and the first test in particular but my early thoughts are that the West Indies will be a better side for the loss of Brian Lara. Crazy as it may sound and sad as I am to see him go, there are so many rumours about him not getting on with selectors and teammates I think his leaving will have a positive influence. They all seemed scared of him from what I've heard and he dismissive of less talented players, in addition there is real pressure to perform now whereas Gayle/Sarwan/insert top 6 Windies batsman as appropriate always knew Lara was due in at some point and could win the match single handed. I am concerned by the lack of depth to the Windies batting however running through the side there is experience if not form in the batting, talented all rounders/wicket keeper and a bowling attack which, albeit quite samey, provides a few selection options for the new coach. I remember Collymore doing well in English conditions last time around, however he had no support so the team couldn't exert any concerted pressure. I expect the likes of Powell, Taylor, Edwards and Rampaul (who has been in good domestic form) to provide more from the other end. Bravo and Sammy can provide a medium pace option and Gayle (possibly even Sarwan) spin. I'm in no way suggesting that the Windies are going to be pushing for a series win however I do think the potential is there to win a test or frustrate England for a draw. Will be interesting to see how England go under Moores, especially Prior who I am not convinced about. Lot riding on Harmison as well although at home and in form you would expect him to produce the goods. Will hopefully get another chance to look at this tomorrow and post up some bets.

[WoodyTHFC]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series I firmly expect England to bounce back from a terrible winter against an average West Indies. In particular the Windies bowling looks short and England should capitalise. Also the batting which on paper has big names has failed to sparkle consistently and I see this continuing against the likes of Harmison who has a point to prove. However at the prices I will leave the outright market alone. On the handicap (-2.5) I agree that the 6/5 looks a good thing as long as there is not a torrent of extremely bad weather. I am going for Bravo in both the top Windies bowling and batting markets. He did not have a great World cup but I believe that will act as motivation. His batting is probably his slightly stronger suit (as Kent fans will justify where couldn't buy a wicket) and therefore 14/1 with Bluesq seems a big e.w. chance. However given the lack of depth in Windies bowling I also believe he could be more important with his bowling and therefore at 7/1 he could be another good e.w chance. I am taking a chance with England top bat and going for Shah 16/1 Bluesq e.w. I like Shah as a player, he performed well on his England debut before being ignored by Fletcher and he is generally a big scorer particularly against a weak attack like this. Obviously there is the chance he may get limited chances but with doubts about Flintoff's participation he may get his chance and if he does I am confident he will take it and cause the selectors with a big dilemma.

[kevshat]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series Think the 1st test odds are about right tbh but I'm never one to get involved in tests from the off much anyway. Have attacked the side markets though. 10pts M.Prior's Performance Pts 80&Over 5/6 Bet365 Points are scored as follows: 1pt per run, 10pts per catch & 25pts per stumping. Matt Prior makes his test debut in this match and I fancy him to go well. He's under the coach he thrived under at Sussex where he first got the England call and that should bring the best out of him. He's not had the greatest season with the bat but this looks a pretty toothless Windies attack to me and he should fare better in this match. On his day he's as good a batsman as you'll find. Solid in defence and can play shots all over the wicket. The reason I like this performance though is clouds will circle Lords for the 1st 3 days which will mean swing which should mean edges which should mean catches. I can see him getting 4-5 catches which means he doesn't have much left to do with the bat. I'll take Prior to notch 80pts over the 5 days. 10pts C.Gayle's Performance Pts Under 97 5/6 Bet365 Points are scored as follows: 1pt per wicket, 10pts per catch & 20pts per wicket. Chris Gayle arrives in England woefully out of form. He barely averaged 25 in the World Cup and only made 24 in the warmup match with Somerset. Conditions will suit England's seamers with the new ball and Gayle, a clear no foot movement merchant would look a candidate for an early dismissal. Normally the danger with opposing a Gayle performance is his bowling as well as his batting but with lots of rain recently and lots of cloud cover to come I can't see Gayle getting many overs. England look like going into the match with an all seam attack and Windies may well do the same. Given he won't bowl much and he's out of nick with the bat the under is the only call for Gayle. 10pts Fall of 1st Windies wicket in 1st Inns - Under 32.5 Runs 5/6 William Hill When West Indies were in England 3 years ago they only passed 32 without losing a wicket once in their 1st innings. Harmison and Hoggard led England's attack then the same as they do now. Chris Gayle and Devon Smith were the openers on that occasion but it looks like Daren Ganga will be Gayle's partner here. The pair haven't batted much since their arrival and may well be out of nick. Facing England's best two bowlers 1st up won't be easy and I don't think they'll make it to 33 unbeaten. 2pts S.Harmison Man of the Match 10/1 Stan James Steve Harmison in bang in form having taken 24 1st class wickets for Durham in his 3 matches this season. He should go well here at Lords, the scene of his 5/43 on the opening day of the 2005 Ashes series. The pitches are usually bouncy and he'll be right on the money wanting to get the public's faith in him back. Harmy destroyed the Windies 3 years ago and in a match where conditions dictate the ball should dominate the bat Harmy is worth a chance for the MOM. 1pt ew L.Plunkett Top England Bat (1st Inns Only) 66/1 Boylesports (1/4 1,2,3) As Liam Plunkett can genuinely bat he has to be chanced for England's top bat here. I would expect at least one of England's batsmen to make a decent score but I also expect the ball to dominate so it isn't beyond all possibility that England make a low total. With Shah and Prior playing their 1st game for a while or debuting in Prior's case, nerves could be around. Plunkett's hit a couple of 30's for Durham this season and that could well be good enough to place here. At over 16/1 for coming on the top 3, Plunkett is a decent ew bet. 1pt ew D.Ramdin Top West Indies Bat (1st Inns Only) 14/1 Boylesports (1/4 1,2,3) Dinesh Ramdin showed in the world cup that he can bat and looks overpriced here in an out of form or massively inexperienced West Indies batting lineup. Seam and swing will be the order of the day and West Indies have crumbled at the hands of the England attack on a few occasions since 2000 and another such collapse brings Ramdin right into play. I actually think he's in the top 4 or 5 Windies batsmen so we only need 1 or 2 to fail and he should place. Like Plunkett though, he's got good enough figures to be worth an ew pop.

[Cymro]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series OK here we go, bets on the first test.. England not to win @ 11/8 (b365) I've already highlighted above a few reasons why I think WI can provide more of a test than people are expecting so I'm gonna put my money where my mouth is and hope that the Ashes form continues. If Freddie is out and we get a bit of rain then I think there is value here. Sarwan top bat @ 4/1 (b365) Sarwan is a quality test batsman, currently third favourite which I can't understand given Gayle's recent form and Chanderpaul's tendency to grind it out for a fairly low score. He has a few centuries to his name against England and I fancy him to relish his new responsibilities. Bell top bat @ 9/2 (b365) Bell has improved enormously at test level and I think the WI attack should be to his liking. Relying on a few low scores elsewhere but Pietersen, Flintoff and, in his first test innings, Prior could be prone to this. J Taylor > 70 pts (b365) @ 11/10 Taylor is the bowler WI are looking to to spearhead their attack and he has done reasonably well in Test cricket recently in terms of wickets taken rather than economy. 3 wickets and 10 runs/a catch will cover this so am liking these odds greater than evens. A Strauss > 82 pts (b365) @ 5/6 Seem to be focussing on the captains a bit but nevertheless I think Strauss is due a bit of a revival in Test cricket, he is a quality opener and if WI can't get it right early on then one big score should take us close. Also fields at slip so a few catches will improve our chances.

[Sharpe1ne]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series Sporting Odds Specials are up but not for long. Any wicket to have fallen before lunch. 1/2 10 pts. With overcast weather the ball should swing straight off and with the likes of Hoggard,Plunkett and Collymore there's 3 bowlers who can do some early damage.Also a bit of raw pace from Taylor and Harmison should also bring early wickets.As long as the rain holds off this should be easy. A 6 to be hit on day 1 Evens 5pts With pace bowling there's always going to be chances to hook a bouncer and most batsmen will, leaving the ball to fly over the ropes for six also if the spinners bowl then the batsman will want to assert themselves. A day is a long time to go without a six in this day and age.

[Sharpe1ne]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series Oh and it's raining now.:(

[Sharpe1ne]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series Flintoff out and were batting first after losing the toss.

[Sharpe1ne]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series Just one more before we get underway,but it's raining again. Method of First Dismissal Caught by WicketKeeper. 11/4 BetDirect 2pts With overcast skies and humidity rising,the swing will be around from ball one,couple that to a bit of nerves from the batsmen then a slight edge,on the wrong line when it swings,should go straight through to the keeper.

[2hcb]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series Got these on early this morning to go with the handicap bet... Harmison has a point to prove and is on great cunty form. he has done very well against WIndies before and gets to play much of this series oop north. I see no reason to disagree with everyone else here especially with Flintoff out. Harmison England top bowler @ 2/1 (General) Harmison MOTM (1st Test) @ 10/1 (Stan James) Small punt here on Ian Bell, I think Pietersen might underestimate WI and not have a great series, the openers should get their fair share of good balls so I think Bell is good value here as he is the type of player who cashes in against the weaker sides Bell England top batsman @ 5/1 (Paddy Power) Matt Prior must get 316pts to beat the Bet365 quote and with England's seamers likely to produce plenty of edges behind he should pick up enough catching points to make the runs very gettable for a player of his ability. The odd 30/40 should do it. Outside chance of a stumping off monty aswell. Prior over 315pts in series @ 5/6 (Bet 365) I fancy Sarwan to have a decent game in his frst test as captain, he is an often underated performer and the batsman match against his opposite man puts him against Strauss who ahs been getting starts for England for some time. Also the chance fo sarwan batting twice and Strauss only once. Sarwan runs > Strauss (1st test) @ 10/11 (Bet 365)

[2hcb]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series

England not to win @ 11/8 (b365)

looking good for you there cymro, draw is now down to 1/2. Really hope Hoggard's injury isn't too bad, might seriously damage our summer if it is.

Sarwan runs > Strauss (1st test) @ 10/11 (Bet >365)

winner here for me and it's a good start to the Bell runscorer and Prior series bet (although a couple of catches would be nice) but elsewhere not looking particularly good for me especially if this test is a draw... anyone see any value in West Indies total runs over 417.5?? the way the pitch has been playing they might hand around most of tomorrow morning...

[kevshat]

Re: Cricket: England vs West Indies Test Series

anyone see any value in West Indies total runs over 417.5?? the way the pitch has been playing they might hand around most of tomorrow morning...

I don't personally but I'll come onto that later. Prior bet is in and Ramdin is going to finish 2nd in the batting list. Gayle failed but unfortunately got enough to cover the 1st wicket total but there's enough there for optimism. Got a good position in this test now and am looking to seal a good test down with these 2. 10pts Lay England to win 1st Test 3.25 Betfair At the close on day 3 West Indies are 363/7 in reply to England 553/5dec. So they are 190 runs behind but the follow on has been safely saved. However from here I can't really envisage a situation which leads to England winning. We have to bat and then bowl West Indies out again all inside 2 days. However the forecast for those 2 days isn't great and rain is likely to come at some point and if that's not bad enough England are playing the rest of the match with 10 men as Matthew Hoggard is injured. That won't affect the batting at all but dramatically decreases our chances of bowling the Windies out a 2nd time. Last summer at Lords, England failed to bowl Sri Lanka out twice with a full bowling attack so bowling this West Indian side out again when they've made 363 on day 3 will prove difficult. I'm not normally one for big price lays but this one looks to be a perfectly safe lay as the weather and bowling attack is against England. 10pts Windies 1st Inns Runs Under 420.5 5/6 Ladbrokes It's taken a while but England are finally down to the West Indian tail. Ok Chanderpaul is still there supporting them but messers Powell, Taylor and Collymore are as useless as they come really and it shouldn't take England long to mop them over. England will be wanting to tear into the tail tomorrow and get rid of them early to try and force a win from this match. Clouds are meant to be around St John's Wood in the morning so I'd expect Plunkett and Harmison to dominate 1st thing. West Indies still need 58 to go past this target and that's just too many IMO.