New Zealand v England and India v Australia

The Ashes have traditionally been a battle for the mantle of the best test side in the world – Australia were the No.1 ranked test side until 2009 – but with the first of two series just 4 months away, neither England or Australia fans have had much to shout about of late.

Since their 3-1 win on Aussie soil, rain hasn’t been something English fans have prayed for, but with the first day washout they’d have lost the first test in Dunedin quite comfortably. As it was, a lifeless pitch combined with tremendous batting from Finn, Compton, and Cook – which forced New Zealand into a longer fielding effort then they’d have wanted when chasing the game saved the day, although yet another dreadful series start raises severe questions; since 2004 England have beaten no side apart from Bangladesh in the opening match of a series abroad, although this total of just 167 was a new record low. In heir last four first innings abroad they have made 192 in against Pakistan in Dubai; 193 against Sri Lanka in Galle and 191 against India in Ahmedabad.

 However history also shows that England generally improve for their first proper outing if a series; They beat India in their second test, did the same to Sri Lanka, and were improved against Pakistan in the UAE. The ‘Basin’ in Welllington is expected to offer much more assistance to the cause, with a fierce wind expected to hamper New Zealand’s less robust attack, none of whom have any experience of bowling into wind and all of whom are strike bowlers. With England’s batsmen hopefully more prepared for conditions which should be similar to home and an attack which will have more to work with (The last time England played here, Ryan Sidebottom and James Anderson both gained swing movement and claimed five-wicket hauls) – not forgetting the fact that with Finn, Broad, and Anderson all there, the workload of bowling can be shared and rotated between the three, then the large gap in quality according to ratings could make England a worthy punt at ¾ with Sportingbet, but with Pakistan and South Africa having been held to draws in recent times a(albeit rain affected) and our ante post stakes invested in a 2-0 series win, the match betting can be best left.

Of more interest would be James Anderson to be the top wicket taker again in the New Zealand 1^st innings. Utterly superb when grinding his way to 131-4  in the first innings on a dead pitch in Dunedin, James Anderson will get far more assistance here and one would like to think that he wouldn’t be tasked into bowling against the wind for large periods either. The bouncy pitch makes Steven Finn a potential danger in this market, but Anderson should revel in his ideal condtions.

Batting first in potentially tricky conditions might put some off Alistair Cook in betting terms, but he’s scored four centuries in his last nine innings and that makes 7/1 on the 1^st innings handicap with Ladbrokes a no brainer.

Whatever the result of the second test, it’s fair to say England’s current quotes don’t quite match up to Australia’s misery with  Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja all sent home for disclipnary reasons, and Mitchell Wade’s injury decimating most of the first choice side. Nathan Lyon’s recall looks too little too late – in any case he’d struggled badly in the 1^st test – and it’s a surprise to see India – who have won three of their last four tests at today’s venue – as big as 5/4 for the win.

Advice

1 pt Jimmy Anderson top England 1^st innings bowler (best price unavailable)

1 pt Alistair Cook +0 on 1^st innings batsman handicap (7/1 Ladbrokes)

5 pts India (5/4 Sportingbet)