England edge ahead in run up to Trinidad double-header
England are now a mean 1/3 in the series betting following their victory in the first game
Andrew Hall
22-Apr-2004
A week is a long time in cricket, and the particular quirks of the England touring schedule has given both teams a week-long break before the remaining six matches are crammed into twelve days. This begins at the weekend with back to back games in Trinidad.
England are now a mean 1/3 in the series betting following their victory in the first game. Such are the vagaries of the one-day game that West Indies could easily turn it around this weekend and emerge with a 2-1 lead, so odds of 9/4 look reasonably attractive. In the match odds, England are 8/13 favourites and West Indies narrow outsiders at 6/5.
The reductions to 30 overs in the first match may have generated excitement but it failed to give punters too much of an indication of the one-day strengths of the two teams.
Match 2 odds
A Chris Read Man of the Match bet in the first game will have rewarded punters who remained loyal to the Nottinghamshire `keeper. A wicket-keeping Man of the Match is a real rarity, and bet365's odds continue to reflect this - Read is 25/1 to repeat the feat. Windies keeper Ridley Jacobs is similarly priced, in spite of his greater pedigree with the bat.
Darren Gough walked straight back into the side as if he had never been away - the Essex man is good value at 14/1 to grab the Man of the Match award. Paul Collingwood is a regular recipient due to his effectiveness in the Michael Bevan "finisher" role, and is 16/1 to repeat the feat.
The Top Team Batsman markets see the more experienced players towards the top of the order installed as favourites. For West Indies, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Chris Gayle - who must be due a big score before this tour is over - are both 3/1. For England, it is the senior pairing of Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick - both are 10/3. Andrew Flintoff is 9/2, and fellow biffer Ian Blackwell could be worth a look at 8/1. Of the outsiders, Ryan Hinds is the outstanding value bet for West Indies fans at 11/1.
bet365 will be betting live "in-running" on both matches this weekend.
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.