ODI Series Betting: England v Bangladesh

ODI preview / Ed Hawkins / 09 July 2010 / Leave a Comment

Paul Collingwood loves the Bristol wicket

"The names of the top batsmen in the last five matches at Bristol is littered with gap-finders"

Bangladesh have suffered injury woe which will hinder their chances of upsetting England in Bristol on Saturday. Ed Hawkins has, however, found a must-have wager for the 2nd ODI

Team news
Bangladesh have suffered horrible luck as they prepare for the second one-day international against England at Bristol, a surface which should suit their style of play. Out of the series go Raqibul Hasan, top scorer in the defeat at Trent Bridge, and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim.

Raqibul was struck on the boot by a James Anderson yorker while Mushfiqur got one in the face, from his own spinner when standing up. Mushfiqur is a key player for Bangladesh and surely any hope of a surprise victory in the three-match series has gone with him.

Bangladesh have called up batsman Mohammad Ashraful, allrounder Naeem Islam and wicketkeeper Sahgir Hossain.

England are expected to be unchanged from the side that won by six wickets in Nottingham. Two points to consider, though: with six failures in a row how much longer does Craig Kieswetter get and can England really challenge for a World Cup with Michael Yardy at No 6?

Venue and conditions
The County Ground, Bristol is one of the most vociferous home crowds you will ever hear in this country. The locals, full to the gunnels with cider, will roar England on. It is true they have not had much to shout for in ODIs down the years, though.

The Bristol wicket is one which England have struggled on. It can be tacky and slow, just the sort of pitch which sides from the sub-continent do well on. Pakistan and India have played here four times and won on each occasion.

England beat West Indies there last summer but they lost the previous two, including an implosion batting second chasing 183 against New Zealand as the spinners weaved a web.

The first innings average is 239 in the last 10 and the highest chase is 268. First-innings runs betting could be very interesting indeed, perhaps looking to get a lay of England in place once the initial powerplay over. If they are going well, consider something in the region of 270.

Match odds
We could have made a case for Bangladesh in Bristol at [9.00] on the back of a competitive first-innings total in game one. Alas the injuries to two important players prevents us from doing so. The alternative would be to back them with a view to laying off, but only if they bat first. They have the potential to cause a mini crisis in the England dressing room.

England, who are [1.12] are the only top echelon side never to have lost to Bangladesh. It is unlikely they will start now and we will probably have to wait for them to come unstuck when they next go to Bangladesh.

Top batsman
Paul Collingwood has top scored for England twice on their last two visits to Bristol and we can see no reason why he is not value at [6.20] to make it three. Collingwood is superb on these types of wicket, finding the gaps and manoeuvring the field while the strokeplayers struggle with their timing.

The excellent Eoin Morgan is a danger at [5.60]. Because of the difference in price, though, we side with Colly.

Tamim Iqbal is the [3.05] favourite for Bangladesh but blasters do not have a great record on this ground. The names of the top batsmen in the last five is littered with gap-finders: Collingwood, Bravo; Collingwood, Elliott; Bell, Tendulkar; M Hussey, Pietersen. Only two openers have top-scored in the last 10 innings.

Featured market
Collingwood and Morgan are both available to back to score a 50. Colly at around the [2.50] mark looks value.

Ed Hawkins says: back P Collingwood for top England bat at [6.20]