The Ashes - 1st Test

It's here! After the talk and hype it's finally here, and we shouldn't have to wait very long for some serious action given the aggressive nature of their first venue choice - Trent Bridge. 

The last time a Test at Trent Bridge was drawn was in 2002, when India's power-packed top-order saved the game after pushing their second innings, having faced a first-innings deficit of 260. Since then, nine Tests at the ground have all produced decisive results, with England triumphant in seven of those games. 

That, and the superb records for England's bowlers here, give England understandable favouritism at 5/6, but it may not be all that simple. 6 of those nine results have been won by the side that fielded first, and according to history, there may be some serious trouble. Sri Lanka in 2006 and India in 2007 both overturned England thanks to a wearing pitch and top swing respectively. 

Ian Bell averages 31, Jonathan Trott 24 and Alastair Cook just 19, which makes it surprising that he's gone to bat first, although the essier conditions may have We'll see early what Australia have to offer with the ball and anyone of Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle and James Pattison could wreak havoc, while we know as much as you do on Ashton Agar.

We'll focus on the bowling for now however, and with more knowledge of  the home bowlers, and give James Anderson a confident vote to take three or more first innings wickets. Anderson has had a f-er in half his tests here and averages 6.5 here, making the 5/6 Ladbrokes offering tempting than the same price for England to take a 1-0 series lead which suits us just fine as well. 

Advice 

3 pts James Anderson to take 3 or more wickets in 1st innings (5/6 Ladbrokes)