A betting preview of the fifth test match between England and India including match result and top first innings run scorer and wicket taker tips courtesy of @Olimp_SA
England vs. India 5th Test, 10 September 12:00
Old Trafford in Manchester will be the venue for the fifth and final test of the series. It’s been a real see-saw of a series and after India won the last test by 157 runs they now lead 2-1. That leaves England in desperate need of a victory in this match to save the series and avoid losing their first home test series against India since 2007.
At the Oval England won the toss and decided to send the Indians in to bat. It was a bit of a risky decision but it paid off with the visitors getting off to a horrible
start. The seamers once again made things difficult for the top order and the first three wickets fell for just 39 runs. Virat Kohli was able to steady the innings with a solid 50 runs, but he failed to receive much support from his teammates around him. India were in serious trouble at 7/127 at one stage, but an eight-wicket stand of 57 by Shardul Thakur managed to help them to 191 all out. Chris Woakes was the top man with the ball for the English with four wickets, while Ollie Robinson added three.
After the start of England’s first innings it became clear that it was a pitch that favoured the bowlers because the hosts found themselves at 5/62 just 20 overs in. Joe Root(21) and Dawid Malan(31) were unable to kick-on, but Ollie Pope came in at number six and played a remarkable innings for 81 runs. Pope’s knock swung the momentum back in his side’s favour and Bairstow(37), Ali(35) and Woakes(50) helped to take the score all the way to 290 all out. Umesh Yadav was the top bowler for the Indians with three wickets, while Bumrah and Jadeja both added two.
India started off the second innings trailing by 99 runs, but when they stepped out onto the pitch it was almost as if they were a different side. This time the top order fulfilled their duty and swung the advantage back in favour of the visitors. Rohit Sharma led from the top with a top class innings of 127, while Rahul(46), Pujara(61) and Kohli(44) helped reduce the deficit and started to build the Indian lead. Pant and Thakur added 50 and 60 runs apiece and with their tail wagging a bit India were able to finish with 466 runs. Chris Woakes was once again the top bowler for the home side with three wickets, while Moeen Ali and Ollie Robinson contributed with two wickets each.
England were left chasing a target of 368 and they got off to a promising start with Rory Burns(50) and Haseeb Hammeed(63) posting a first wicket partnership of 100. However, things soon feel apart after that and once Joe Root(36) was dismissed the hosts completely collapsed. England were all out for 210, way short of their target. Yadav, Bumrah, Jadeja and Thakur split nine wickets between them and secured another stunning comeback victory for the visitors.
Prediction
England have never lost to India at Old Trafford in the nine tests they have played there and India have also never won three matches when playing a test series in England. Despite the stats very much being against India, it’s quite clear that the advantage lies with them. Fatigue seems to be setting in for the likes of Root and Anderson, while India look to be flourishing more and more as the series drags on. For me India is the better team going into the final test, but one cannot ignore history and the stats completely. There also looks to be a chance of the weather playing a role in the final test and with fatigue wearing down on the players
I am going to back this last match to be a draw. Chris Woakes was outstanding with the ball last time around and I am willing to have a crack at him being the top bowler for England in the first innings once again. Jos Buttler returns after the birth of his child and with an average of 45 at Old Trafford, as well as some new inspiration perhaps, there could be some good value for him to be the top run scorer in the first innings for England.
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Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
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