With England having wrapped up the Test series against India with a game to spare, the hosts head to the Oval able to enjoy what has been a job well done thus far.
The tourists have been totally outplayed, too often undone by England’s fine swing bowling. Captain Kohli has been offered little support by his teammates as the home side have dominated large parts of this series.
Cheerio Cookie
In a week when Alastair Cook announced his imminent retirement from international cricket, Trevor Bayliss’ side will no doubt want to send ‘Chef’ out on a high. The Essex batsman has notched up 12,254 career runs, with 32 centuries, in 160 Tests – all of which are England records. The 33-year-old comes in at six all-time on the list of Test run-scorers. Despite averaging just 18.62 in 16 innings this year, Cook will bow out as England’s greatest Test batsman.
What a fairy-tale end it would be to the opener’s career if he could add a 33rd Test century at the Oval. We have him at 4/1 to be England’s top run scorer in the Test match betting odds. 147 runs across the two innings would see Cook move past Kumar Sangakkara into fifth in the list of all-time Test run scorers.
Home-ground Hero
An outside shout for England’s top run scorer worth considering is the in-form Sam Curran. The 20-year-old made 78 and 46 in Southampton and will play at his home ground at the Oval. Dropped to accommodate the returning Ben Stokes, England subsequently lost without Curran at Trent Bridge. The young all-rounder quickly reminded everyone what he can do with bat and ball when he returned to the side. So impressive has been his rise that Curran is being lined up to star in the Indian Premier League. You can back the left-hander to be England’s top run scorer at 12/1.
With Ravichandran Ashwin expected to miss the final Test through injury, India would be wise to offer a long-overdue call up for Ravindra Jadeja. The slow left arm spinner has been overlooked so far this series, which is staggering given his form in 2016/17. In 13 Tests against New Zealand, England and Australia, Jadeja took 71 wickets at an average of 22.83. That return included four five-wicket hauls. If Jadeja is selected, you can get him at 4/1 to be India’s top wicket taker.
England, meanwhile, have arguably played it safe in their squad selection for this final Test, resisting the temptation to look towards 2019 with thoughts of James Vince coming in at the top of the order. The 27-year-old will have to wait his turn and hope the selectors give him the nod for next month’s tour of Sri Lanka.
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