Tag: England

Can England Save Face in 4th Test Against India

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India will look to wrap up a series win against England when the 4th Test begins on the 8th December in Mumbai. After the drawn first test, the hosts have been well and truly on top since then with convincing back-to-back victories. The major problem for England has been their batting form. England hasn’t reached 300 in any of their previous five innings. The Indian bowlers have been on top so far, and have dominated quite early in England’s previous four innings.

Can England Reverse the Tide?

The question is can England battle back from 2-0 down to gain some credibility in this series? History tells us that when a touring side goes 2-0 down in a five test series, then the series result is a foregone conclusion. It is always difficult for any touring side. The long periods away from home and away from loved ones really takes its toll. It appears that the best that England can hope for is perhaps to win a test and exit India with some credibility. The reality is that England is on the verge of being trounced in India.

Bet365 quote India at just 1-2 to win the 4th Test and that seems fair. Coral quote 9-2 for the draw, while 4-1 for an England win is pretty standard across all of the betting sites, including Boyle Sports. If you are looking for value and want to place a bet on this match then looking at past history, which is usually a pretty reliable guide.

Searching for the Reasons

Listening to the professional analysts pour over the data from the previous three tests is quite interesting. Some of them even quote a case for England clawing their way back into the series. To do that, they would have to win this fourth test! No other result keeps the series alive. While England’s performances haven’t been a disaster, too many players have underperformed so far, while India has had around half a dozen players at the very top of their game.

Whether it is fatigue, good tactics from the Indian bowlers, poor form, or whatever is hard to say. The facts are quite damning and Andrew Strauss has some tough decisions to make that may go way beyond this current series. England has now lost no fewer than eight test matches this year. There is something clearly wrong. When we consider that this is a very talented team on paper, those stats make for grim reading. Not since the 1990’s has England lost so many test matches in a calendar year.

It could mean that the older generation may be coming to an end and are simply mentally worn out by too much test match cricket. It is difficult to see England winning the fourth test. In fact, it is difficult to see England winning a test match in this series at all. If you are looking for a bet, then it would be prudent to avoid betting on England despite the 4-1 odds.

England Favourites to WhiteWash Australia; Remain Unbeaten.

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Australia head to Twickenham after a dour performance against Ireland going down 27-24, which also ended their Grand Slam hopes. England looks to extend their winning streak to 13 after closing out Argentina 27-14 in a spiteful match.

England rolled Australia at home 3-0 during the June tour, so there is plenty of incentive for both teams to win and there is no love lost between coaches Eddie Jones and Michael Chieka, who have been at it in the media since June. However, Australia has struggled in 2016, and during this tour faded late into the 2nd half, which was truly evident against France and Ireland. Australia failed to put a patched up Ireland to the sword turning over too much ball in the way of errors and poor protection at the breakdown, and failing to execute backline play.

England remains unbeaten and is willing to win ugly. On top of injuries and suspension, coach Eddie Jones will need to replace battering ram #8 Billy Vunipola, who suffered a knee injury against Argentina. However, most of the team from their last fixture will be available.

Heading into this fixture, England is clear favourites and it’s hard to look past a team playing with confidence and thriving under coach Eddie Jones, who has moulded exciting combinations amongst his squad. Australia will need to front up and ensure someone takes control of the backline if they want to penetrate a rushing English defensive line. This encounter will be one game too much for the Australians; the English should come home easily 16-20 points and will want to make a statement with the upcoming 6 nations.

Teams

England

XV: M Brown; M Yarde; J Joseph, O Farrell; J May; G Ford; B Youngs; M Vunipola; D Hartley (capt); D Cole; C Lawes; G Kruis; C Robshaw;T Wood; N Hughes.

Replacements: J George; J Marler; K Sinckler; C Ewels; T Harrison; D Care; B Te’o; H Slade.

Australia

XV: Israel Folau; Sefanaia Naivalu; Tevita Kuridrani; Reece Hodge; Dane Haylett-Petty; Bernard Foley; Nick Phipps; Lopeti Timani; Michael Hooper; David Pocock; Rob Simmons; Kane Douglas; Sekope Kepu; Stephen Moore (capt); Scott Sio.

Reserves: Tolu Latu; James Slipper; Tom Robertson; Dean Mumm; Sean McMahon; Nick Frisby; Quade Cooper; Henry Speight.

Odds

Australia: $4.00 at Betfair.

England: $1.29 at Unibet.

Prediction

It’s an old fashioned head and heart dilemma this week. The $4 is such a tempting prospect for a heart longing for a nice betting win, and to see England’s unbeaten run end. But the head says this is an England team that beat Australia 3-0 in June and should be too strong. Okay, you’re right head, England to remain unbeaten against Australia this year.

England vs. India: Opening Session Swings Odds in England’s Favour

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The first test between England and India has, so far, proven to be full of surprises. Following a distinctly uninspiring performance against Bangladesh, England travelled to India for the five-test series as the proverbial underdogs.

Despite sporting a stiff upper lip and saying all the right things, England’s players know they have a mammoth task against the top-ranked test side in the world. So too do the pundits. Before the first ball had been bowled, England cricket legend Ian Botham acknowledged that the three lions could struggle; especially if bowlers Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja can find the wickets.

England Poised to Upset India

However, through all the potential doom and gloom, Botham believes England’s youngsters could surprise a few people. Telling the media that the current squad has the potential to become the number one test team in the world, Botham recalls the 2012/2013 where England “hammered” India.

On that occasion, India was the home side and considered the red hot favourites. However, thanks to a ten-wicket win in Mumbai, England clinched the series 2-1. With the omens seemingly on their side, England appears to be upsetting the odds once again.

Indeed, before the start of the first test, the odds makers gave Trevor Bayliss’s men a 12/1 chance of winning the series outright. However, following a storming first day performance by England’s Ben Stokes (128), Joe Root (124) and Moeen Ali (117), England have suddenly become the favourites to take the first test.

A Strong Start for England has Bookies Scrambling

While there is still a long way to go in the series as a whole, England’s opening total of 537 was hugely impressive. Now, it’s worth noting that India’s fielders fumbled three easy takes early in the day, which if they’d have caught them, could have changed the dynamics dramatically. However, the reality is that they didn’t take their chances, and that’s given England a huge boost.

A quick look at the betting markets for the first test shows England at 21/10 with Sun Bets on Day 2, while Sky Bet has the home side out at 7/1. Following an impressive session in front of the stumps, England’s Ali is currently the bowling favourite to take the most wickets in the first test. Sky Bet’s number crunchers have priced the youngster at 100/30, while Adil Rashid to take the most wickets is currently 7/2.

Of course, India may be down at this point, but they’re certainly not out. Murali Vijay is currently leading India’s batting betting line at Sun Bets, Sky Bet and Coral, but it’s the latter’s “to score 75” odds that look the most appealing. With the 25 not out after facing 70 balls, Vijay certainly looked calm in the face of a potential upset. Indeed, after striking four fours (three against Stuart Broad), he’ll certainly be confident of more when he returns to the crease.

Cool Heads Will Emerge Victorious

In fact, it’s this kind of steady hand that could help India right an opening day full of wrongs. England’s batsmen were totally dominant against India’s spinners, but a veteran like Vijay could set the example his peers need to regain their composure. As it stands, Sun Bets’ 8/1 on India to win the first test is the longest odds you’ll currently get, but whether or not it’s a wise wager remains unclear.

Yes, India came through England’s opening attack with no casualties to score 63, but there is a long way to go on Day 3. If Vijay and Gautam Gambhir can amass some early runs, it will certainly settle the nerves in the Indian dressing room. However, an early fumble reminiscent of those we saw on Day 1 could send a shockwave through the side and allow England to rattle off some wickets.

For many, England was never expected to be in this position after opening the batting in the first test. However, now they are in this position, the pressure could be on, and it will be up to Alastair Cook to impart some words of wisdom on his rising stars. If he can do that and India’s batting line crumbles, England could easily clinch the first test to set-up an enthralling conclusion to the series.

Four Nations Defending Champions May Struggle to Keep Pace

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New Zealand’s chances of defending their Four Nations rugby league title are looking seriously slim after the exit of long-term coach Stephen Kearney and a heavy warm-up loss to Australia. Here’s a look at all the teams involved and their chances:

Australia

Strengths: As far as spines go, the Australian set up is incredible. Smith, Cronk, Thurston and Boyd are all NRL premiership winners, and when they play together they are nigh on impossible to get the better of.

All are consummate professionals who pride themselves on error free play, quality decision-making and high involvement. Add Greg Inglis to the mix, and it’s hard to fathom how any side will beat them.

Weaknesses: It’s very hard to find weaknesses in a squad that features the likes of the above. But in Blake Ferguson and Josh Dugan, together making up the right-hand edge of the Australian backline, they have two hot or cold players that have struggled to make an impact at test level. The duo was dreadful against the Kiwis considering the amount of ball they had, and completely failed to exploit Solomone Kata on his NZ debut.

Star Turn: At just 21 yeas of age, Cronulla Sharks flyer Valentine Holmes is only just beginning his NRL and Test career. However, the influence the fleet-footed winger can have on the tournament stretches far beyond his relative inexperience. After making a promising debut, including a try, in the warm-up match against the Kiwis, Holmes is poised to set the tournament alight with his skill and speed.

The only possible saving grace for opposition teams is if Mal Meninga can’t find room for Holmes once Josh Mansour returns to the squad after missing the warm-up match because of his wedding.

Odds: $1.60 at Palmerbet.

Predicted Finish: Australia to win it. There is just too little chance that all of them have an off game on the same day.

New Zealand

Strengths: Big and mobile forward packs have always been part of the Kiwis game. 2016 is no different. The Kiwis pack boasts the likes of Dally M Medal winner Jason Taumalolo, NRL Prop of the Year Jesse Bromwich, and the reliable Melbourne Storm backrowers Tohu Harris and Kevin Procter. As a result, the Kiwis should get plenty of metres and go-forward out of their big men.

Weaknesses: The warm-up loss to Australia revealed a number of chinks in the New Zealand armour.

Johnson’s fifth tackle plays have been criticised heavily. Rightfully so too; the flamboyant number 7 struggled to kick in general play, and often tried to force the issue with last tackle attacking raids that his outside men weren’t on board with.

Opposition teams will be wise to exploit the weak defence of Kenny-Dowall’s right edge (made worse with Simon Mannering’s withdrawal from the tournament), while the Kiwis back three might also struggle to gain yards deep in their own half.

Look out for Kidwell opting for young gun Te Maire Martin rather than the ineffective Lewis Brown in the utility role.

Discipline is probably worth a mention here too.

Star Turn: One of the standouts in the Kiwis warm up game was Martin Taupau. Coming off the bench, the Manly powerhouse had 129 metres for 10 carries to go with five tackle busts, to easily be New Zealand’s best on the night. Coming off the bench gives Taupau an opportunity to make a seriously meaningful impact.

Odds: $4 is the best offer on NZ, from Ladbrokes.

Predicted Finish: The Kiwis haven’t always travelled to the UK well. Most recently they lost a bilateral series in 2015. They’re also still familiarising themselves with a new coaching structure, as well as missing key players (Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Mannering). They might struggle to make the final this year. 3rd.

England

Strengths: New coach Wayne Bennet has a tricky task ensuring his team are equipped to compete with the Kangaroos and Kiwis. It’s made manageable playing on home soil. It’s made believable thanks to the powerful forward pack he has at his disposal. Josh Hodgson, Sam and George Burgess, James Graham and Elliot Whitehead all NRL-experienced, and all (save for George maybe) are coming off excellent seasons.

Weaknesses: Gareth Widdop’s poor year in the NRL this season could worry the hosts, however, a bigger worry is probably the lack of big game experience. They haven’t made many tournament finals of late and gave up a late last minute try to the Kiwis in the most recent World Cup. The lack of experience and big game mettle could hurt them in the key stages.

Star Turn: Take away injury and suspension, and Canberra rake Hodgson may have been the first English winner of the NRL’s prestigious Dally M Medal this season. As it was, Hodgson finished eight points behind the winners but was arguably more influential for his team’s run to the finals.

Odds: $5.50 looks great money from Bet365. LuxBet also has an option on an Australia / England final at an attractive $2.30.

Predicted Finish: 2nd.

Scotland

Strengths: The ultimate underdogs will struggle to win a game in their first ever Four Nations. The squad looks too light on paper to scare any of the three heavyweights. If they are to get anywhere near, they’ll need the kicking game of former Man of Steel, Danny Brough, or the NRL expertise of Aitken, Coote, Douglas and Linnet.

Weaknesses: Not so much of a weakness as a simple reality – they are playing the three best nations in world rugby league.

Star Turn: Lachlan Coote isn’t in the powerful mould of Inglis, nor does he have the speed of a James Tedesco, but he is very clever. Essentially, he’s another half. With a tremendous short kicking game and an unparalleled rugby league brain, the Cowboys number is a tremendous boost to the tournament rookies.

Odds: Not really worth mentioning, but you’ll get 500/1 at most bookies.

Predicted Finish: Can’t see them winning a game. Last.

Four Nations kicks off this Friday, October 28th.

Cricket: New Zealand v England 1st Test Preview

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English cricket fans are desperate for some good news.  Their National cricket team is without a coach, is embroiled in a long-winding and tiresome war of words with Kevin Pieterson, and suffered an embarrassing recent loss to a West Indies team their new Chairman Colin Graves labelled ‘mediocre’.  Thus the fans need a distraction that can only be delivered in the form of a test and series win against New Zealand.

Their New Zealand opponents are on an upward curve.  After a promising home series against Sri Lanka and a World Cup campaign that set the nation alight, New Zealand have moved to third in the test rankings and will no longer fly under any world cricket radar.

The opening bowling pair of Tim Southee and Trent Boult is arguable the strongest facet of their game, but with Kane Williamson, and Brendon McCullum in the middle order, runs might not be a problem for the first time in an away Northern Hemisphere tour.

They have concerns over the form of Ross Taylor (he’s failed to get past 32 in four warmup innings thus far), and their preparation has been slightly scuppered by the late arrival of IPL stars.  But they should still be competitive throughout.

The Last Time These Two Met

The Black Caps were pretty ropey the last time they played in England.  In a test series immediately after a drawn series in New Zealand, the tourists fell to two hefty defeats at Lords and Hedgingly.  The most disappointing aspect of the tour was the final innings effort at Lords where New Zealand fell over for 68 when chasing 239 for the win – perhaps the Lords slope will be cause for concern for the batsman again.  New Zealand’s bowling was on song for most of the series, however their batsman let them down badly.

Of more recent form, New Zealand beat Sri Lanka at home in their most recent series, while the English tied a series in the West Indies – much to the disappointed of their fans.

The Teams

England (likely): 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Adam Lyth, 3 Gary Ballance, 4 Ian Bell, 5 Joe Root, 6 Moeen Ali, 7 Ben Stokes, 8 Jos Buttler (wk), 9 Mark Wood, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 James Anderson

Adam Lyth and Mark Wood are expected to debut in the series opener.

New Zealand (likely): 1 Tom Latham, 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Brendon McCullum (capt), 6 Corey Anderson, 7 BJ Watling (wk), 8 Mark Craig, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Trent Boult

As is Matt Henry for New Zealand.

The Key Players

James Anderson – Some have already labelled the series a battle between New Zealand and Anderson.  England’s one true match-winner simply gets the job done series after series.  He is deadly at home too and, after having worked himself into some form at the end of the West Indies series, shapes as the key foil to a New Zealand series win.

Kane Williamson – Don’t be fooled by New Zealand’s climb to third in the test match rankings or their dream run to the World Cup Final in April, their batsman will struggle in England.  The ball will swing and the ball will seam, and England have to bowlers to exploit both.  That puts the onus on the techniques of the New Zealand batsman and there are none better than Williamson.  Williamson’s straight bat is the best defence to the moving ball and with plenty of English conditions experience with Yorkshire should be able to improve on his modest record in England.  Expect a big series from the little man.

The Match Odds*

England – $2.32

New Zealand – $2.80

Draw – $2.95

*Courtesy of Sportsbet Australia.

The Prediction

Great odds all round if you’re confident which way this one will go.  Always factor in the rain in English hosted test matches but also consider the movement on offer could equate to a lot of wickets falling early in the test (only two of the past 8 test have been drawn at Lords).  So we’re thinking result, and we’ll go with England courtesy of their superior home record.

The Best Bets

BJ Watling to top score at $10.00 is sensational money.  In great nick in the warm up games, and barring any spectacular collapses won’t face a new ball until the second is on offer and he’s well settled.

Matt Henry is likely to grab the third seamer spot and he might just surprise a few people.  More into the pitch then Boult and Southee he may enjoy bowling into the slope.  He’s at $4.33 to lead the wicket-takers in the 1st Innings.

Cricket: England v Ireland Preview – One Off ODI

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England’s young brigade get the opportunity to atone for their incompetent seniors when the national cricket team meet Ireland at Malahide tomorrow.  While the heavily criticised stars who failed to beat West Indies in the recently concluded test series travel home, a wildly different looking side get the chance to dampen the choruses for coach Peter Moores’ head and press their own claims.

Ireland on the other hand will be ecstatic at the chance to worsen England’s already dark mood.  They’ll look to their 2011 World Cup upset over England as motivation for a shock win.

The Last Time These Two Met

Associate nations and test playing nations meet rarely.  The last time these two sides met was in 2013 where England won by 6 wickets.  The two matches prior to that were much closer however.  A narrow England win in August 2011 was preceded by the famous Ireland win in the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

Form against one another and generally is well out the window in predicting the outcome of this one.  The plethora of red ball cricket means both teams will be underdone, and the difficulty in predicting how the English debutants get on is obvious.

The Teams

England (likely): 1 Alex Hales, 2 Jason Roy, 3 James Vince, 4 James Taylor (capt), 5 Sam Billings, 6 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 7 David Willey, 8 Adil Rashid, 9 Tim Bresnan, 10 Steven Finn, 11 Mark Wood.

James Taylor leads England for the first time and takes charge of a team with too many (5) debutants to feature here.  Zafar Ansari and Lewis Gregory are the other options in the 13.

Ireland (likely): 1 William Porterfield (capt), 2 Paul Stirling, 3 Ed Joyce, 4 Niall O’Brien, 5 Andy Balbirnie, 6 Gary Wilson (wk), 7 Kevin O’Brien, 8 John Mooney, 9 George Dockrell, 10 Alex Cusack, 11 Craig Young/Stuart Thompson

Ireland have lost Tim Murtagh from their World Cup XI in one of the few changes expected from the tournament earlier in the year.

The Key Players

Adil Rashid – He should’ve played in the final test in the West Indies.  He is far more of a frontline spinner than Moeen Ali is and thoroughly deserves his chance to replace James Tredwell as England’s premiere limited overs and test spinner.  Hopefully the lack of cricket he’s played over the past few months isn’t reflected in his bowing.

William P0rterfield – The Irish captain was their best performing batsman at the World Cup.  In 6 matches he scored 275 runs at an average of 45.83 with a hundred and a fifty.  He’s also getting some hand 30/40 starts in his first class matches for Warwickshire in the always difficult early season conditions.

The Match Odds*

England – $1.35

Ireland – $3.21

*Courtesy of Sportsbet Australia.

The Prediction

England’s young troops should have too much talent for Ireland’s ageing troops.  We’re giving this one to England by 4 wickets or 50 runs.

The Best Bets

Sam Billings is a talented keeper batsman but makes this team as a specialist batsman.  He’s listed to come in at 5 which could be perfect if their’s early movement around.  Get on him to top score at $9.50.

For gimmicks sake try the Direction of First Boundary bet.  The leg side is paying a decent $2.00.  Surely one of the game’s openers has a pull shot or leg glance in them.