Live on Sky Sports 2: 18-22 July: England are 10/11 (bet365) to win the second Ashes Test and Jonathan Trott can be a key man.
An opening Test match littered with controversy, that swung more than a James Anderson delivery and ended in fittingly nail-biting fashion as England prevailed by just 14 runs, the Ashes certainly got off to an explosive start and before cricket fans have had chance to draw breath after the tense, Trent Bridge encounter, the teams will toss up at Lords this week for the second Test.
Without question the home of cricket will throw up a different test to the Nottingham pitch but bookies nevertheless expect a similar outcome so England are odds-on at 10/11 with bet365 to take a 2-0 lead in the series while Stan James rate the Aussies at 16/5 to level matters.
Betfred post 11/4 against the draw but with the weather predicted to be fine across the whole five days and the two sides having shown vulnerability with the bat, a conclusive affair seems more likely.
Having come so close to victory before suffering huge disappointment, the tourists might find it hard to pick themselves up and indeed it could be that the momentum is now with England, who are in to just 1/5 at Stan James to retain the urn.
The same firm offers 8/11 about the hosts enjoying the most fruitful opening partnership at Lord’s, where Skybet quote odds of 5/6 for England’s first pairing – likely to be Cook and Joe Root – to make at least 31 runs between them.
Despite his battling century in Nottingham, Ian Bell is as high as 6/1 (BetVictor) to top score for the hosts with the bat, 888Sport quote Jonathan Trott at 15/4 in the same market and that’s the pick of the bunch given his excellent average art Lord’s.
Where the Australians are concerned, bet365 chalk Phil Hughes up at 6/1 to grab the most runs after his unbeaten 81 in the first innings at Trent Bridge.
Finally, it’s set to be a pitch that will favour pace bowlers and after his incredible performance in the first Test, Jimmy Anderson is hard to oppose at 2/1 (Stan James) to grab the most first innings runs for England.
Recommended Bets:
Jonathan Trott to be top England batsman (1st innings) – 15/4 (888Sport)
James Anderson to be top England bowler (1st innings) – 2/1 (Stan James)
England’s opening partnership over 30.5 runs – 5/6 (Skybet)
Compare all Ashes odds and bet at the best price.
