ODI Betting: England v Bangladesh

ODI preview / Ed Hawkins / 12 July 2010 / Leave a Comment

England take on Bangladesh at Edgbaston on Monday

"The best ploy is to back Bangladesh on the series market with a view to laying off, provided they bat first. It was a trade advised for the Bristol contest."

England's surprise loss in Bristol on Saturday did not have Ed Hawkins raising his eyebrows. Can Bangladesh produce again to claim an unlikely series victory at Edgbaston on Monday?

Team news

A humbling it may have been but it was an inevitable one. England's narrow 'shock' loss to Bangladesh in Bristol on Saturday had been coming. The only top echelon team never to have lost to the much-derided nation, the 100% record had to end sometime.

Indeed, Ian Bell's fractured foot, which effectively reduced them to 10 men, could be trotted out as an excuse by England. Ravi Bopara has been called up to replace Bell, who will miss the Pakistan Test series. Another option could be to recall Tim Bresnan.

Bangladesh, apparently weakened by the loss of Raqibul Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, will surely stick with the XI that ended a run of 24 straight ODI losses. Five of their bowlers each claimed two wickets while five batsmen passed 20. An allround effort to be commended.


Venue and conditions

If the Bristol match felt like a home game to Bangladesh because of the surface they were playing on, Edgbaston will sound like Chittagong or Dhaka with vociferous local support expected. The wicket will not be as conducive to spin as the County Ground but Bangladesh will be heartened by Pakistan's dual wins over Australia there recently when the twirlers went to work.

Expect runs, though. England made 328 against West Indies in 2009 and 281 v India in 2007. The same year West Indies posted 278. If England bat first, don't be afraid to consider a wager of 280-plus runs on the first-innings runs market.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, three of the last four ODIs have been won by the side batting first.

Match odds

Forget the match odds, it is rare that we get the opportunity to discuss series prices when Bangladesh are involved. Mashrafe Mortaza's men are [10.00] for something genuinely stunning with England [1.27]. A draw - no rain is forecast - is [6.00].

If you do fancy Bangladesh, for goodness sake don't take the [7.20] about them claiming a win to give them the series 2-1. Ditto England supporters. Andrew Strauss' side are [1.15].

The best ploy would have to be backing Bangladesh on the series market with a view to laying off, provided they bat first. It was a trade advised for the Bristol contest so hopefully it will come good once more.

Top batsman

An example of how much England's ODI side has changed can be found in the top runscorers the last time they played in Birmingham. Matt Prior, Owais Shah and Bopara, who has only just come back, were all in the runs.

Strauss, [3.80] favourite, scored a 50 in that contest but otherwise there is little ground form to get excited over, especially when you consider that in 2008, England were shot out for 162 against New Zealand. Luke Wright, opening the batting, blasted 52 from 38 balls.

Jonathan Trott is [4.60] on his home ground. His 94 earned him praise but as objective punters we have to question his pace and his inability to dominate the bowling at the death. He should have been seeing it like a beachball. No jokes about South Africans choking, thanks.

Tamim Iqbal is [3.85] jolly for Bangladesh. Imrul Kayes, his opening partner, is [6.20]. Shakib Al Hasan, a favourite of this column, is [6.80].

Featured market
Trott, who has form for back-to-back scores, is [2.74] to score a 50.