Punters expect more runs from Pietersen

Profiles / Editor / 27 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Betfair customers see Kevin Pietersen as the strong favourite to finish the current Test series as the top England batsman, after his impressive double century on Saturday.

The Hampshire batsman dominated the West Indies' bowlers when reaching 226 at Headingley, helping the home side make 570-7 dec in their first innings.

After scoring a century in the first Test at Lord's, Pietersen has already wracked up 361 runs so far in the four-match series.

The latest knock is the middle-order batsman's best Test score and Pietersen admits that he has been focussed on proving the critics wrong.

The 26-year-old said: "It was a case of showing the maturity that people have been wanting me to show. In the past I've thrown my wicket away on certain occasions."

Pietersen is currently trading at 1.08 to finish the series as the leading England runscorer, with Alastair Cook (212 runs) the next best at 6.6.

With Michael Vaughan's men looking like the much stronger side, 'England 2-0' is the 1.91 favourite in the 'Series Correct Score' market, while a 3-0 success for the home side is on offer at 2.12.