England v West Indies : Cricket

[rcgills]

Just one bet for me, purely for a little bit of interest - Collingwood MoM @ 17

[Pie-chucker]

England inserted. Good chance for Windies to get a start to series as the pace attack is not terrible by any means. But will need 3 wickets before lunch.

SELL England runs @ 350 at 0.25.

(very caurious bit of interest)

[Swooperman]

Only 56 overs so far & that looks it for the day with England 200-3, Cook 102* & Collingwood 21*.
Cooks batted well & KP started ominously but got himself out, but the WIs bowlers looked under-prepared & in desperate need of a good bowl. Personally I dont see the bowling as WIs problem & I think they could well be better tomorrow after a days bowling under their belts. Problem is I think that barring a dramatic collapse England already have too good a foundation & although I dont see them getting a massive score I think 350-375 will be enough for a lead capable of securing the match. Englands bowlers such as Hoggard & Harmison already have plenty of overs under their belts this season & although its not a quick pitch, I can see WIs failing to play the moving ball & falling around 250. I've looked at the weather & I think it'll be ok although obviously light is the problem but I think the 1.71 I've taken on Betfair is a very good price at this stage

5: Eng under 435 @ Evs SJ 4pnts
6: Eng @ 1.71 Betfair 100pnts

[Pie-chucker]

Wah, lumpy bet on England, Swoops.

Think you're right though. Lord's must now be the best draining ground anywhere and the equipment & personnel are second to none. Should get a result and surely H & H will run through this lot in these conditions.

[Pie-chucker]

Weather looks fair(ish) Saturday and Sunday. Pretty sure England will declare overnight and that Gayle and Ganga will be walking out for a second knock around tea-time.

Skybet's 4-9 looks generous at this stage.

England win @ 4-9 at 45pts

[Swooperman]

Totally agree. Think 2 days play should be enough & although its slow the English seamers will be hard to play in these conditions.
Took an unders bet on WIs score but at work now, think it was under 295 @ 5/4 Sp.Odds 4pnts
Interesting selection dilemma now as all the 'rocky players' have tonned. TMS seemed to think Bell at 6 meant he was first out assuming Shah for Vaughan is a cert, but I've a feeling that they know Bell is happy @ 6 & have decided against changing the whole order just for one omission like they did in Australia
Flintoff not expected back for the 2nd test anyway so not crucuial yet, but fair play to Prior
If WIs do get mullered here. in a congested series it could go downhill fast

[Colbro]

I think Bell at 6 may have something to do with not wanting two inexperienced cricketers at 6 and 7 together. This way both Shah and Prior got to bat with established players at the other end.

[Pie-chucker]

The Windies tail are the worst 9,10,Jack in test cricket - Powell at the crease has a HS of 16 in 29 test innings. Should go quick unless Chanderpaul can hog the strike.

Lead of 160 one hopes, but then Strauss has a problem. Lankans at Lords last summer scored 537-9 (following on) to save the match when England had 4 fit quicks plus Monty. So the declaration won't be easy to assess. And Windies scoring 363 in a day is some good going.

England on Sunday will need 1) no rain, 2) decent light later on 3) 3 wkts in 45 minutes this morning 4) 275 in 2 sessions 5) Monty to get on a roll.

Hmmmm.

[Swooperman]

WIs batted a hell of a lot better than we all thought & a deficit of 116 is a good effort. Think England will bat with one eye on a declaration but will see what happens, as Pie points out the 360 in a day scenario worries any declaration thoughts

[Pie-chucker]

2) decent light later on. So don't quite understand the faffing around about the declaration. Or why Prior didn't follow Collingwood.

But 3 overs to face.

[Swooperman]

If WIs save the test they can thank their saturday run rate which has stalled Englands declaration. 394 to win & WIs are one of those sides you wouldnt actually totally rule out knocking it off
I must admit I was surprised at finding England trading @ 4.3 on Betfair but obviously the lack of Hoggard & Harmisons inaccuracy are involved in that, together with Plunkett being nearly as loose first time around.
Tough to call tbh but I'm sitting with what Ive got although I'll admit that 4.3 had me tempted, but it would be a poor call having 100pnts committed already :wasntme

[Pie-chucker]

Aye, and the tail got too many. Powell, test ave of 5.00 prior to yesterday's 36no.

Gayle was getting a bit of turn, so hope for Monty (& KP) but looks like weather will have last laugh.

[Hippy Dave]

To be fair, Powell did used to be a number 3 batsman, no he's no mug, despite the test average.

[Pie-chucker]

England to win in 3.5 days and Harmy to take 8 match wickets (which is a precis of how I saw Lord's) din't quite happen. Total disaster -190 pts to start the summer.

Bookies not convinced by WI performance as the Headingley odds are exactly those for Lord's -- 4/7 2-1 6-1.

Suppose Vaughan for Shah, Anderson for Hoggard. Doesn't set the pulses racing.

[Pie-chucker]

Originally Posted by Hippy Dave

I can't actually believe the negativity towards Vaughan - we've been shit since he's been out of the team. Yes he was crap in the WC, but he's been crap in ODIs forever.

On it goes, Dave. Maybe first mentioned here but now a loud refrain. Nothing against the guy at all, but this keeping the seat warm for a man with no exceptional talent, any recent form, is/was getting tiresome.