CRICKET BETTING: Live on SkySports1: Sat 10:30: England v Australia in the 5th ODI of the series; Andy Flower seems to have accepted a 3-2 series win before the teams trot out at Lords.
England and Australia come together for the 5th and final time in this summer’s pre-Ashes ODI series at Lords and Australia will be keen to carry on making up ground.
At 4/5 with Betfred, the bookies would concur that momentum lies with the Aussies in what could be a nice little psycological victory ahead of the winter’s main event down under.
England’s chances, 5/4 at Sportingbet, are summed up by Flower’s press conference in which he stressed that tomorrow’s result was not important for the Ashes now the series was won etc. He was quick to add that winning 4-1 would be nice but the whole attitude smacked of “job done”.
Never in a month of Sundays would Australia take their foot of the gas, part of which makes them one of the best cricketing nations in the world. If the series were best from 7, there would be a decent argument that the Aussies could stage a dramatic comeback to pip the hosts 3-4, but as it stands, England will run out 3-2 winners from 5 games.
On Saturday, Pietersen (7/2 Ladbrokes top bat) and Kieswetter (5/1 Totesport top bat) will probably struggle again under the Australian pace pressure. Collingwood has been ok but it would be prudent to look at Strauss or perhaps Morgan to be England’s top scorer. Strauss is 4/1 at Skybet, Morgan 9/2 with Bet365.
William Hill offer a Morgan v Pietersen match bet for who will score most runs, Morgan is 1/1 and Pietersen is 8/11. Morgan has the form to give a decent even money winner.
As predicted last time out, Ponting returned to form with a great 92, only to see his top-scorer position usurped by Michael Clarke, who finished 99 not out. Clarke has had a fantastic series, 220 runs from 4 games, putting him just behind Morgan for top run collector. Ponting and Clarke will again go moderately well and Watson is consistency personified but Tim Paine is crying out for a good knock, 11/2 with Totesport to do so. Cam White will also be keen to replicate his 86 at Cardiff (13/2 top score with Paddy Power) after some poorer displays. Doug Bollinger can continue his fine work with the ball to top wicket take at 11/4 with Bet365.
Betrescue goes for a big 5 out of 5 wins for the ODI series if Asutralia can make the series 3-2.
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