Live Test Match Blogging / Ed Hawkins / 12 December 2008 /

England have got themselves in a pretty good position but can they really turn the screw on day three? Ed Hawkins talks us through the cricket, the betting and the best cricket-watching refreshments. Remember to e-mail Ed at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk.

11.20 Eng 172-3 CLOSE
An undefeated partnership of 129 from Andrew Strauss (73) and PaulCollingwood (60) has put England in charge. They are favourites at [2.06] but only just with the draw rapidly approaching parity at [2.60]. If India fail to take a wicket in the first half hour tomorrow, it could be the staelmate that has jolly status. The Day 3 Verdict is moments away on the cricket page.

11.25 Eng 161-3
The draw price continues to fall, which is predictable. Once the slide starts it will not stop until there is a wicket so if you're playing it's all about getting your timing right. Predicting when a wicket will fall is tough to do but what I will say is that one needs to bear in mind that tomorrow morning, these two batsmen will have to start all over again. Obviously this makes them more vulnerable

10.55 Eng 150-3
I've been hoovering up draw lay prices from {3.15] to [3.30] in the last few minutes. England lead by 229 at the moment and there are still TWO days to play. With so much time left in the game on a wearing pitch, the stalemate seems to me to be the least likely result of all three. If you have had a lay of the draw, you may want to start cheering on India's bowlers. A wicket before the close tonight would make it more comfortable.

10.50 Eng 145-3
The draw has come in sharply because of this partnership between Strauss and COllingwood.It is [3.40] to lay at the moment. If you've got a big wallet, knock yourself out. There would have to be rain for it to be a draw and with the weather forecasters getting it wrong for three days in a row, there doesn't seem much point worrying about it.

10.30 Eng 131-3
I just want to take issue with Sunil Gavaskar's earlier statement that India's players have struggled to keep their minds on the job in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks. He may well be right, and if he is, it is completely understandable. However, giving credence to such opinions is a dangerous game for punters. It is hard enough to get winning wagers without having the market clouded by emotional claptrap. If I had written on this blog on day one that England would win the Test because India's players were distracted by Mumbai, quite rightly you could have emailed accusing me of psycho babble. After all, by that basis one could argue that India were more relaxed because they knew cricket wasn't that important or that England's players were the ones distracted by the lack of preparation or threats to their security. In short, it's nonsense. England are winning this Test, pure and simple, because of the state of the Chennai wicket.

10.06 Eng 121-1
England go odds on [1.95] as Harbhajan is taken off and Sunil Gavaskar suggests India's players have been distracted by the terrible events in Mumbai.

10.05 Eng 117-3
Harbhajan Singh is getting frustrated as England start to milk him for runs. It looks to be getting a little easier for Strauss, who has 50, and Collingwood. Indeed, Harbhajan may not be too far away from a tantrum on the scale of Eggnog when he gets booted off the X-Factor. Tears before bedtime are inevitable if the pair do not get their own way.

09.40 Eng 92-3
Of course the big betting heat of the day is X-Factor. A few weeks back I got word that Eggnog was running away with the popular vote and backed him at [6.20]. He then got as short as [3.50]. Slowly but surely he has drifted as the public have become disillusioned. Whether it is down to the fact that they do not trust someone who has such an awful haircut - or they are unsure what he is hiding inside that mass of hair - is unclear. It could be that the lad can't sing. No matter. The moral of the story is: don't be to greedy when a betting heat is so subjective.

09.30 Eng 88-3
Given that statistic about Andrew Flintoff and his ability to play spin, it would be a surprise to see him come in at No. 6 if England lost their fourth wicket in the next 10 overs or so. It would make a great deal of sense if Matt Prior came in next. He played Harbhajan SIngh and Amit Mishra with aplomb in the first innings and would reduce the possibility of England losing two quick ones.

09.15 England 74-3
An ability to play spin bowling well is crucial for success in India. Statistically at least, it is no surprise to see Andrew Strauss scoring well. He has been dismissed 26% of the time to spin bowlers in his career, only Alastair Cook in the top six has a better record. Encouragingly for India, Collingwood (37.5%) is the worst player of turn. Here are the figures for the others: Bell 30, KP 33, Fred 35

09.00 England 70-3
We are back after the break. Before it, Strauss and Collingwood were batting in contrasting styles. The Composer looked, er, composed and Collingwood continued in the same vein of the first innings when he looked out of form. When in such a state and with the pressure on, Collingwood has a habit of going into his shell and becoming utterly strokeless. You may remember he did the same in the first Test against New Zealand earlier this year away from home. The ball is 22 overs old now, the optimum time for reverse swing. Crucial period coming up folks.

08.45 England 68-3 TEA
The key stat to bear in mind today is that 159 is the highest fourth innings chase at Chennai. England have suddenly slumped to [2.34], possibly on the back of that revelation. In truth, in a situation like this - when England are eeking out runs - the odds will be flitting up and down regularly. However, if Strauss and Collingwood can progress their partnership to 50 (it stands at 25) they may well go to favourite status and stay there.

08.35 England 64-3
England are drifting as it becomes apparent that runs are extremely hard to come by with Harbhajan Singh turning the screw. But if you take the long term view, which is wise, then India are sure to struggle in the fourth innings. This is a wearing pitch and in the last dig Andrew Flintoff, bowling that heavy ball, Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann will be dangerous. I reckon taking the [2.50] about England is a great bet.

08.30 England 63-3, Strauss 26, Collingwood 9
I bet you thought you were going to get some Xmas shoping down today? Forget it. Plonk yourself in front of the action from Chennai, where we have the potential for a thriller. England lead by 137 with seven wickets left in their second innings after bowling India out for 241. There have been nery moments for the visitors but they will know that with wickets falling regularly on this pitch, aother 120 or so runs could well be enough for a stunning win. Here are the prices: India [2.12], England [2.40] and the draw an irrelevant [7.8].

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