- England to win the series 2-1 - 11/2 with bet365
- James Anderson to take 2.5+ wickets in the first innings - 11/10 with betfair
- Ben Duckett to score a first-innings fifty - 6/5 with bet365
- Kavem Hodge to top score for West Indies in their first innings - 5/1 with BetVictor
- James Anderson to take 5+ wickets in the first innings - 10/1 with VirginBet
It seems crazy doesn’t it to say that England are bidding an early farewell to a 41-year-old, soon to be 42. But Jimmy Anderson shouldn’t have been moved on.
It’s clear the Lancashire ace, given a farewell appearance at Lord’s, is not retiring through his own choice. It’s also clear that he’s still England’s best fast bowler. His seven wickets for his county at Southport last week adds further weight to that view.
I could understand him being pushed out if England had quicks pushing him hard. But they’re not. There’s no obvious leader of the attack.
Before we get into the first Test, it may be worth having a couple of quid on 2-1 as a correct series score. West Indies are a re-emerging nation, as drawing 1-1 in Australia the start of the year suggested.
I do think England will win the series, but I’m not sure they’ll win it 3-0. They were beaten 4-1 in India earlier this year. Bet365 are offering 11/2 on that scoreline.
England v West Indies Betting Tips
England v West Indies Betting Odds
- England to win - 1/6
- Draw - 15/2
- West Indies to win - 11/1
Odds courtesy of BetMGM, correct at the time of publication
Oh Jimmy, Jimmy!
There’s only one place to start, and that’s with Anderson. Call me an old romantic if you want, but I expect him to go out on a high.
A crazy decision to push him out will be made to look so when he takes over 2.5 wickets in the first innings, available at 11/10 with betfair.
There’s another bet which I have for you on Anderson, which we will finish this Test Match bettings tips preview with. But first let’s look at a couple of batting bets.
Opener Ben Duckett has played one match since late April - a T20 for Nottinghamshire last week in which he scored 39. That was owing to his position as a squad player in England’s T20 World Cup squad. He didn’t feature at all in that.
But he had an excellent start to the summer, posting scores of 63 and 218 in the County Championship.
I’d be interested in bet365′s 6/5 on him scoring a first-innings fifty in this opening Test.
If Anderson gets in amongst the wickets early on this week, it could open the door for a West Indies middle order batter to top score in their first innings.
Their number five Kavem Hodge looks a good price at 5/1 with BetVictor to achieve that feat. He has only played two Tests, but he scored 71 against Australia at Brisbane in January and hit a century in a warm-up game against a First-Class Counties Select XI team at Beckenham last week.
And, finally, we will return to Anderson. VirginBet have price boosted him to take five or more wickets in the first innings. That’s available at 10/1.
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