12 Jun 2019
Despite a stinging seven wicket loss to India in the last of the T20 series as England gave up their biggest ever run chase as hosts to lose the series 2-1, captain Eoin Morgan will be keen to seek revenge at the first opportunity. The three-day ODI series kicking off at Trent Bridge on Thursday is without a doubt a prime one.
Although England are ranked just number five in the world in T20 cricket no thanks to a dismal record of late that has seen them lose no fewer than 10 of their last 17, their ODI form has been phenomenal since their World Cup disappointment of 2015.
Specifically, they’ve beaten every major nation in the last three years aside from India, to help them to the world number one ranking – they’ll be determined to add the world number two nation to that list. Get them at ODI betting odds of 4/5 to win the first match.
If they are to do so, they may well need to once again call upon their batting maestros who have helped them score over 300 runs more than any other team in the last 12 months. That’s not to mention the fact that they’ve scored them quicker than anyone else with more big hits (sixes).
India are, however, no slouches themselves at the crease so it could be that their spinners hold the key, to quite literally turn a game on its head.
England’s Triple Threat
England’s run rate in ODIs since the 2015 World Cup is second-to-none at 6.26, well clear of second best India at 5.77.
This has been largely a result of a rampant batting attack in the first ten overs, with Jonny Bairstow in particular a key man. With a strike rate of 108, his is the highest of all 17 openers among the top team’s players that have scored 500-plus runs in the first ten overs of ODIs since the 2015 World Cup. Add Jason Roy (96) and Alex Hales (93.3) into the mix and England look a devastating prospect at the crease.
With this attack and a record that has seen them hit a four or a six every 8.5 balls compared to India’s 9.6, the opposition’s bowlers could be on the backfoot from the off as England look to build on a record that has seen them lose not one ODI in the last ten matches at home. Get England to score the highest opening partnership at cricket betting odds of 17/20 in the first ODI.
India’s Spinners
If anyone’s bowlers do have the power to turn things around, it would arguably be India’s. Despite Jasprit Bumrah, the number one rated bowler in the world out of the series with injury, they have strength in depth. England will need to be wary on a pitch that could suit spinners after the recent heatwave.
In particular, India might look towards Yuz Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav to throw the cat among the pigeons quite literally as both feature in the top ten wicket takers in the world from the last 12 months.
If they can find an answer to the power of England, they may even have one eye on an unlikely series whitewash that would see them snatch the world number one spot from England.
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