Couch Critic provides his betting tips for the second test match between England and West Indies which starts in Manchester on Thursday
ENGLAND VS WEST INDIES - Thursday 16 July, Old Trafford Manchester
Surely one of the most watched test matches in a long time, the first cricket outing after the COVID break didn’t disappoint in terms of thrilling action. We head to Manchester for the second of three tests with the hosts under pressure to fight back from a loss.
Setting the Scene
Jason Holder and his chargers were given the opportunity to have first crack at the Poms in Southampton and in assisting bowling conditions they got their noses ahead and never really handed the initiative back to England at any stage during the test. Shannon Gabriel delivered a Man of the Match performance with his nine wickets whilst Holder put in an excellent shift with the ball in the first innings and Jermaine Blackwood was the big batting hero in the fourth innings.
The inexperienced English batting line-up struggled as expected and going for the dual fire bolt quicks was a strategy which also didn’t work out too well. Clearly the Ageas Bowl was suited to swing and seam rather than merely hitting the deck at pace. The Englishmen will be delighted to have Joe Root back in their midst, but some question marks remain around Jos Butler as a test batsman.
How I see it Playing Out
Considering the long break in international cricket it will be tough for Root to step straight back in and lift the team singlehandedly. Stokes, Crawley and Sibley showed glimpses of form and someone needs to go on and make a big one. The Windies will be hoping for more of the same. The likes of Brathwaite and Dowrich have proven up for a fight whilst Campbell, Brooks and Blackwood have all exhibited some of their aggressive stroke play. If Shai Hope could hit some form the visitors would prove really hard to stop. Bowling wise the attack looks in tip-top shape.
England are a proud team and they will be keen as mustard to come right back with a victory. But this is not the England of old and these group of youngsters aren’t going to be given a free pass by the Islanders. The last time out at Old Trafford Steve Smith had his way with the English attack – he made a double and the Aussies chalked up near on 500. This track should prove another good contest between bat and ball with overhead conditions likely to be important for the swing merchants.
Betolimp Best Bets
Top England 1st Innings Batsman – Ben Stokes @ 6.00
Stokes showed signs of being in decent touch yet will be kicking himself for not kicking on and making a big one. Th new ball should again prove dangerous but thereafter there could be some runs on offer for the lower middle order on this Old Trafford wicket.
Top Windies 1st Innings Batsman – Jermaine Blackwood @ 9.00
He might seem like the obvious choice after his fourth innings exploits but I’m sticking with my thought process as stated above, and clearly Blackwood will also be full of confidence.
Top England 1st Inns Bowler – Stuart Broad @ 4.50
Having been shafted for the opener all the talk has been how it was a serious oversight from Stokes and his coach to leave Broad on the sidelines in Southampton. The English stalwart was also very vocal about his disappointment at being overlooked and you can expect Broad to be running in looking to send the proverbial “up yours” to the selectors with a big performance in Manchester.
Man of the Match – Jason Holder @ 15.00
Chances are England bounce back here, but I have to follow the value and back Holder in this market. The Windies skipper is in superb bowling form at present and if he can chip in with a few runs he is a lively runner in this market.
Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R3,000 here
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
Couch Critic
