England v Pakistan Second Test Player Tips: Go for big-priced wins at 18s and 33s

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Thursday 27 August, 11.00
TV: Sky Sports

Back Joe Root top England first-innings bat @ 10/34.33

Dovetailing between Joe Root and Harry Brook over the last couple of years on the top England runscorer market is a strategy that would have paid off. Between them, they have won the market nearly 60% of the time.

Brook took the honours in Leeds with a typically swashbuckling win. It is interesting that two such contrasting styles can be so dominant. Brook is all-action, of course, often leading to criticism about the way he plays. But with Ben Stokes gone, there doesn't seem to be the death or glory approach that we aw in Australia or against New Zealand.

Root is all about steady accumulation, grinding down attacks. He has all the strokes, of course, and it is far from dull to watch.

It could be Root's turn to win here and we will be taking Betfair Sportsbook's offer of 10/34.33. It is win-rate value by a good five points on the 24-month study sample. That is all we need to be convinced that Root does the business these days.

It is interesting isn't it, how one never sees Test record-breaker Root falling out of nightclubs or in handcuffs? I wonder what the relationship between being the greatest of all time and knowing how to behave is?

That's a question for another time. Root will need to be on his best behaviour technically at Lord's. A seam and swing challenge is incoming. That could well do for his less studious team-mates, such as Brook.

The one concern we have with Root for this one is Mohammad Abbas nipping the ball back in down the slope to trap him leg-before. Root has an issue with that dismissal and he was pinned in Leeds. You can bet that happens in-play with normally around the 7/24.50 mark available for lbw on his method of dismissal.

Just a note on top England bowler: it is extremely competitive. Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson have strong records at HQ and this could be a real bun fight for top bowler.

We had a bad beat on Robinson taking a five-wicket haul and losing out to Tongue by conceding most runs in Leeds. A reminder that Sportsbook split the tie on those rules. Tongue's ability to mop up at the death, though, does make him standout in-play.

Back Aamer Jamal top Pakistan first-innings bat @ 18/119.00

The expected late-order, big-priced winner for top Pakistan bat didn't happen in Leeds. But it was all set up to do so and we stick to the belief that 30 or 40 could win this market.

As discussed in the match odds preview, Pakistan batters could really struggle again on a pitch which has been helpful for bowlers. We expect a low first-innings total.

That opens up the possibility of a quick thrash and bash at the end of an innings stealing top-bat. Kyle Jamieson did it for New Zealand at No 9 at the start of the summer, winning with 38. Kamindu Mendis won at No 7 for Sri Lanka in 2024 and Alzarri Joseph almost got up for a win at No 8 the same year.

The first candidate who catches the eye is Aamer Jamal at 18/119.00, two points bigger than Leeds despite not playing. Aamer is a proper all-rounder and has plenty of gumption. He may not be the most technically sound but he has more than enough in his locker to get the runs required for the win.

An 82 against Australia in Sydney and 55 and 35 against England in Multan are all comfort rugs.

Back Usman Ali top Pakistan first-innings bat @ 33/134.00

Another player to consider is Ali Usman at 33/134.00. Usman can bat. He has a first-class century to his name which is often a good filter for these type of wager.

Ali hasn't managed a score of note yet in his Test career (three matches) but now could be the time. he did at least show hints of ability in a 22-ball stay in the second dig at Leeds.

At 33, Ali is no spring chicken and, domestically at least, has seen it all. He has a method and if he sticks to it could deliver. He is classed as a bowling all-rounder and his average of 21 in first-class is far from shabby for a player at the price.

For the record, Babar Azam is expected to return following a finger injury but we have no interest in betting him with a win rate of two in his last 12.

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