England aiming to complete whitewash
Published 17 Aug 2011 09:30
0 Comments
A look ahead at the fourth Test against India
The Reading Chronicle has teamed up with Sportingbet, English cricket's best bet, to look ahead to the fourth Test against India:
England go into the fourth and final Test match looking to complete the 4-0 whitewash.
The Three Lions' dominance has been relentless in the three opening contests and the tourists have it all to do if they are to avoid a thoroughly convincing series defeat. Punters can get 11/10 with Sportingbet for a fourth England victory; while it's 5/1 that India can save some face by claiming the final Test.
The Edgbaston Test was yet another that the Three Lions were simply just too strong in all facets of the game.
Having first rattled through the tourist's batting line-up, Alastair Cook led England to an unassailable 486 run lead. The England opener top scored with a hugely impressive 294 runs and he can be backed at 11/8 to top the scoring charts for the series.
Kevin Pietersen reached 358 series runs with his knock of 63 in Birmingham - he is currently 44 runs ahead of Cook and can be backed at 13/20 to finish top of the series batting stakes.
In regards to England's team news, Andy Flower will have to make do without Chris Tremlett's services once again and Jonathan Trott remains sidelined with his shoulder problem.
Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir's return to fitness did nothing to improve India's batting performance, with the former collecting a king pair at Edgbaston. Coach Duncan Fletcher will be scratching his head as to how his side have still yet to surpass 300 runs in any of their innings.
The tourists have drawn their past two matches at the Oval, in 2002 and 2007, with punters being able to get 7/5 for another this time around.
There'll be some optimism for those backing India as England did lose their most recent game at the ground by four wickets against Pakistan.
Before that defeat, England had a healthy record at the Oval - where Australia were the last team to beat England and that was 10 years ago.
Overall England have won five of their past ten matches here, drawing three and losing twice.
Stuart Broad claimed six wickets at Edgbaston and that took his total to 21 wickets for the series.
He'll be itching to get out there and finish as the series top wicket taker. He has enjoyed bowling at the ground in the past and had his best figures of 5/37 at the Oval against Australia back in 2009.
Sportingbet - English Cricket's Best Bet! Visit www.sportingbet.com for all the latest cricket odds and specials. Bet anywhere on your mobile with Sportingbet: text CRICKET to 80010 for a free bet
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 17 Aug 11
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.
