Live Test Match Blogging / Ed Hawkins / 18 August 2010 /

England have won the toss and elected to bat at the Oval. The plan is to put together a huge score and put Pakistan under pressure early on. Armed with the betting knowledge, the stats and the latest on what biscuits and cakes are in fashion is Ed Hawkins...Email him here

CLOSE 18.35 Pk 48-1
That's your lot folks. Pakistan will be able to go out on the town tonight with a spring in their step. They've had a terrific day. England will be disappointed to have only nibbled one out and they will stay in tonight, praying for overcast skies in the morning. Here are the prices: England [2.26], Pakistan [2.40] and the draw [6.60]. Our stats package at 17.16 will make perfect sense of them for you.

WICKET 18.31 Pk 48-1
I Farhat b Anderson 11

18.21 Pk 43-0
Graeme Swann comes into the attack for his first over of the match. In his Test career 21 times he has taken a wicket with his first over of a spell. I've written that sentence more than 21 times.

18.01 Pk 37-0
The numbers below for those five make it impossible to back any of them. Instead we have to look at Yasir Hameed (30 not out already) and Mohammad Yousuf. They are [3.30] and [5.00]. Hameed averages 34 in Tests while we all know what a good player MoYo is. His price has drifted thanks to Yasir's fast start and we have to take it. The planets are aligned: ground form (128 in 2006), record versus opposition (only Don Bradman (135) has a better runs per match average against England) and recent form (an unbeaten 40-odd against Worcestershire last week).

17.56 Pk 37-0
Let's have a look at the top Pakistan bat market by analysing the series averages. It does not make for impressive reading. The phrase 'chicken feed' comes to mind.
Farhat 17
Butt 4
Ali 8.25
Umar 11
Kamran 0

17.38 Pk 14-0
The decision by Salman Butt to move to No 3 will be a good one, providing openers Yasir Hameed and Imran Farhat keep him in the pavilion for a while. Butt is an accomplished player (he made a century against Warne and McGrath in Sydney in 2005, no mean feat) yet he has struggled against the moving ball in this series. If he can come in after 15 overs or so, we might see the best of him.

17.26 Pk 3-0
It appears to be raining, folks. They're staying out there at the moment.

17.16 Pk 3-0
Here are some good stats to back up our view about the match odds market. In their Test history, Pakistan have bowled a side out for 233 or fewer on 45 occasions in first-innings. They have won 35 of them. That is a success rate of 71%. In all Test matches, including all teams, the success rate is 61%. At [2.48] the market gives Pakistan a 40% chance of victory.

17.10 Eng 233
We've been saying it all day. So we'll say it again. Pakistan should be favourites. They would have taken your arm off at the shoulder if they'd have been offered bowling England out so cheaply. England [2.02], Pakistan [2.44] and the draw [9.40]. Matt Prior top scored with an unbeaten 84. By the way, Salman Butt will not open. He's going to try his luck further down the order.

WICKET 17.09 Eng 233
S Finn lbw b Ajmal 0

17.05 Eng 232-9
Portuguese Pirate has been in touch via email. "Am I the only one outraged by Graeme Swann's omission from that list? He has taken endless wickets in Test cricket this year and was an integral part of the T20 winning side. On another note, do you have any theories as to why Matt Prior can be so good in Test cricket with the bat yet so poor in ODIs? Is it the position he comes in at, the role he's asked to do or is it maybe the difference in ball?" I share your Swann anger. As for Prior, he was ruined in ODIs by England trying to turn him into Adam Gilchrist at the top of the order. Not his game.

17.00 Eng 225-9
Prior is going to play some shots here. He looks prepared to be totally reckless in the pursuit of quick runs. Stand by.

WICKET 16.48 Eng 215-9
J Anderson lbw b Asif 0

16.45 Eng 213-8
One gets the feeling that Stuart Broad has the kind of temeprament which would make him argue that the sky is green and the grass blue. He's out - leg before to give Riaz a superb five-for on debut - but could he go gracefully? No. He reviewed the decision - it was missing leg, missing off and knocking out middle - and then appeared incredulous that he hadn't got it overturned. He is a tiresome young man.

WICKET 16.41 Eng 213-8
S Broad lbw b Riaz 58

16.21 Eng 199-7
England are [1.79] to win the Test, a price which seems ridiculously short when you consider they were [1.68] before a ball had been bowled. Forget that Broad and Prior have rebuilt and ask yourself this: are England really [1.79] shots with the score as it is? Surely when they were priced as heavy favourites, they were not supposed to be in this position.

16.17 Eng 194-7
The 100-run partnership for England and a record eighth-wicket stand against Pakistan. Broad needs three more for his 50.

16.11 Eng 188-7
Prior has 50. He was [2.68] to do so at the start of his innings.

16.09 Eng 184-7
I'm a bit late back after tea because I had to nip to the corner shop to get some soup. Oh yes, I'm living the high life. I opted for leek and potato. Would've have been back in time had it not been for a woman arguing with the cashier over the price of a can of Carlsberg. Carlsberg don't do rows with shop assistants...

TEA 15.42 Eng 175-7
England have hit back but we still can't have them as [1.95] favourites. Pakistan are [2.96] and the draw [6.60].

15.22 Eng 172-7
Atherton and Sirloin of Beef are again discussing the absence of England players from the ICC Cricketer of the Year nominees. I've found a more disgraceful omission, however in the Emerging Player category. Where is Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal? The 21 year old is ninth on the list of most Test runs for the year and seventh for most ODI runs.

15.15 Eng 162-7
Ajmal has tightened up a little. We must hope that he can produce something special in this Test on a turning wicket because we wouldn't want to be denied another opportunity to watch him interviewed. Remember this?

15.00 Eng 147-7
A 50 partnership from Prior and Broad. Pakistan have lost their way a little and Saeed Ajmal, who has been brought in to try to add some mystery, has gone for 15 in two overs. It must be hugely frustrating for Pakistan, who have such a bad reputation that they have been usurped as favourites. England [2.06] and Pakistan [2.46]. Apart from the minnows of the Test game, what other side would not be jollies with the oppo seven down for so few?

14.56 Eng 140-7
Michael Atherton has called the ICC list (see below) a "disgrace" because of the absence of Englishmen. I thought that, too on initial inspection. However, it seems pretty fair after more in-depth research. Still, we have to take issue with the selection of Ryan Harris, the Australia bowler. Granted Harris has an average of 17.17 in international cricket during the selection period (Aug 09-10) but he played only two Tests during that time. If Tests are truly the pinnacle of the game then the ICC cannot possibly put someone who has barely played it on a pedestal. Graeme Swann, with 57 wickets, is the top Test wicket-taker during that period but is omitted. Mohammad Asif (43) and James Anderson (41) are also unlucky.

14.34 Eng 121-7
The ICC have released the nominees for Cricketer of the Year. They are: Hashim Amla (SA), Doug Bollinger (Aus), Michael Clarke (Aus), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Ind), Ryan Harris (Aus), Mitchell Johnson (Aus), Jacques Kallis (SA), Morne Morkel (SA), Ricky Ponting (Aus), Kumar Sangakkara (SL), Virender Sehwag (Ind), Dale Steyn (SA), Sachin Tendulkar (Ind), Daniel Vettori (NZ), AB de Villiers (SA), Shane Watson (Aus)

14.20 Eng 103-7
Yup, thought so. Broad's top score is 37 in his last 13 Test innings. He is a ridiculous [3.75] for a 50.

14.17 Eng 99-7
Pakistan [1.91] favourites as Swann goes. Stuart Broad joins Matt Prior at the crease. Broad's reputation as a batsman is in tatters. I'm going to look up his recent record. I'd wager it's awful.

WICKET 14.14 Eng 94-7
G Swann c Umar Akmal b Asif 8

14.01 Eng 74-6
Asif and Riaz have complemented each other perfectly in this demolition of England's batting. Asif, studious and smart, has been the architect, drawing up the blueprints to undermine the home side's strength. Riaz has been the bulldozer, sent in to do the muscle work. Riaz has 4-16 on debut and has touched 90mph with his left-arm sling delivery.

WICKET 13.56 Eng 74-6
E Morgan c Akmal b Riaz 17

13.55 Eng 74-5
Asif has Prior right where he wants him. You may recall that Prior kept getting out on the drive against Australia last summer, and Asif is trying to repeat the trick. Twice in his previous over the England keeper got on the front foot and tried to biff one. Prior (7) is [2.68] to score a 50 in this dig.

13.43 Eng 70-5
Pakistan have shortened further to [2.48] during the break as Mohammad Asif gets us underway. Matthew Prior and Eoin Morgan are the men at the crease. A big test for Prior this. Asif will try to get him driving, looking for the edge, or possibly bowled through the gate.

LUNCH 13.00 Eng 70-5
Pakistan are happy with their morning's work, and so are we. Our in-out trade came off, a blessing given Kevin Pietersen scuppered our top-bat prediction. Pakistan are not favourites to win this Test, which just underlines how little faith bettors have in their batting. England still have superiority at [2.08] with Pakistan [2.60]. The draw is disappearing into the distance at [7.20]. See you in 40.

WICKET 12.51 Eng 67-5
K Pietersen c Akmal b Riaz 6

12.35 Eng 51-4
Asif back on now as Pakistan look to nip another one at before lunch.

12.25 Eng 48-4
So much for a period of consolidation for England. Collingwood has chopped on from Aamer and England are in more than a little strife. We've seen it before, though, in the distant and recent past. In 2006 England were bowled out for 173 - the lowest first-innings total at The Oval this decade - by Pakistan and their batsmen have not dominated the tourists' bowlers this summer.

WICKET 12.20 Eng 47-4
P Collingwood b Aamer 4

12.17 43-3
Pakistan are as short as [4.10] to lay. If you took our advice about an in-out trade (see 11.07) it may pay to do the 'out' part now. Granted a new man in the shape of Paul Collingwood is at the crease but with Mohammad Asif out of the attack and the ball losing shine, batting may get a little easier. We may also see the draw price, [4.90], come in as a result.

WICKET 12.10 Eng 40-3
J Trott c Hameed b Riaz 12

11.55 Eng 35-2
England [1.73], Pakistan [6.00] and the draw [3.85] as Kevin Pietersen receives his first ball. Strauss was dismissed on review, a big edge from the debutant Riaz. KP was our in-running pick for top bat. He fitted the bill perfectly. A top-bat bet must have form against the opposition, ground form and recent form, otherwise you are guessing. KP has all three. Admittedly his half-century at Edgbaston last time out was the stuff of nightmares but it was the crease occupation which was key.

WICKET 11.49 Eng 35-2
A Strauss c Akmal b Riaz 15

11.41 Eng 31-1
England are struggling a little because Mohammad Asif appears to have the ball on remote control. But he has bowled four overs and may have only another three in this spell. When he comes off life could be much easier for the batsmen. Always try to think ahead as a punter.

11.30 Eng 18-1
Trott's figure is slightly misleading because he has played only one Test at the ground. There is no Eoin Morgan listed because he has not yet played there for England and has made only one appearance for Middlesex, scoring 54 runs in two innings. Andrew Strauss, who has survived a big leg before shout from Asif, is [3.80] for top England bat, Trott is [4.20] and Kevin Pietersen is [4.60]. Michael Vaughan, the former England skipper, reckons Strauss could be on for three figures here. He might be right but the value, this very minute, has to be Pietersen.

11.23 Eng 15-1
Let's have a look at the top England bat market. Here are the Test averages for the key men at The Oval.
Strauss 42.4
Trott 80
Pietersen 65.3
Collingwood 32
Prior 11

11.12 Eng 9-1
We were a bit too clever for our own good there. As soon as we suggested getting on Pakistan for an in-out trade, Alastair Cook's technique was again exposed. Jonathan Trott is the new man in. Just watching the replay of Cook's dismissal. His bat must be two or three feet from his body when he edges behind. Dreadful technique. "Cook's poor form continues," says Sir Ian Botham. It's not form. He's just not very good.

WICKET 11.09 Eng 9-1
A Cook c Akmal b Asif 6

11.07 Eng 9-0
Pakistan are already on the drift. They are [9.40]. Batting conditions are not easy, though. In fact they are similar to when Pakistan bowled England out for 173 in 2006. Mohammad Asif, who has taken the new ball with Mohammad Aamer, took four wickets that day. Now, we're not suggesting England made the wrong decision to bat first (this wicket tends to break up) but from a trading point of view, it is reasonable to have a nibble on Pakistan. Get to it.

11.01 Eng 4-0
You will spot some changes in the Pakistan team. Yasir Hameed replaces Umar Amin, which is a blessing as I'm sure I would have eventually slipped up and called him Idi. Mohammad Yousuf is back, as expected, while Kamran Akmal comes in for Zulq Haider, who has a busted finger. Paceman Wahab Riaz replaces the injured Umar Gul.

10.58 Eng 0-0
Morning all. Welcome to the betting blog for day one of the action at The Oval. England have won the toss. Here are the prices: England [1.68], Pakistan [9.00], the draw [3.30]. Here are the teams...
England: 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Graeme Swann, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steven Finn
Pakistan: 1 Yasir Hameed, 2 Imran Farhat, 3 Salman Butt (capt), 4 Mohammad Yousuf, 5 Azhar Ali, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Kamran Akmal (wk), 8 Mohammad Amir, 9 Wahab Riaz, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Mohammad Asif

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