England To Wrap Up West Indies’ Series

England eased to victory over the West Indies in the first Test of their series, triumphing at Edgbaston by an innings and 209 runs.

The Three Lions rose to the occasion in the first day/night Test to be played in England, dominating Jason Holder’s men from start-to-finish.

Alastair Cook was in imperious form with the bat, scoring the fourth double century of his career. His 243 runs were the foundation of England’s massive total of 514/8d.

Joe Root continued to display his excellent as he notched his 13^th Test century, although he may feel he left runs on the pitch after being dismissed for 136.

England’s first-innings score completely overwhelmed the Windies as James Anderson tore through their top order to bowl the tourists out for 168.

Root enforced the follow-on and this time Stuart Broad took centre stage. He took three wickets to move past Sir Ian Botham into second place in Test matches dismissals for the Three Lions.

The West Indies produced a shambolic batting display to lose by an innings. Unless there is a significant improvement at Headingley, the series will be wrapped up with ease by England.

England’s Top Batsman

Although Root’s men eased to victory there were still familiar failings at the top of the order at Edgbaston. Mark Stoneman was dismissed for just eight, while Tom Westley made the same score before he was out lbw.

Stoneman could do very little about his dismissal as he was on the receiving end of a great delivery from Kemar Roach. However, Westley’s legside approach to batting was his undoing as he missed a straight ball from Miguel Cummins to get trapped in front of his stumps.

The Essex batsman has flashed impressive strokeplay during his fledgling international career. However, the 28-year-old has made just score of note since coming into the side against South Africa. Westley scored 59 in his first match at The Oval in the second innings, but in his three innings since he has made only 46 runs.

As a result, he is under pressure to deliver at Headingley to avoid becoming the latest player to fail in England’s top order. The West Indies’ bowling attack does not possess potent quality therefore there will be opportunities to score in Leeds, but he must ensure that he capitalises.

Westley could guarantee a spot for the Ashes Down Under with a huge knock in the series. On the other hand a string of failures could put his place on the plane in jeopardy. Therefore backing him to rise to the occasion at 7.00Bet €100 to win €7006/1Bet £100 to win £700+600Bet $100 to win $7006.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$7006.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp700-0.1667Bet RM100 to win RM700  with SkyBet to top score is the option to take.

West Indies’ Top Batsman

Holder’s men put forward a putrid effort with the bat at Edgbaston. Although conditions were trying and England have quality bowlers at their disposal, Cook proved that the pitch was not a minefield.

Only Jermaine Blackwood emerged with credit from the contest. He scored 79 in the first innings, almost half of his side’s runs, impressing with a number of classy shots all around the ground.

The 25-year-old made his runs in good time as well, reaching his half-century off 49 deliveries. Blackwood has fared well against the Three Lions in the past, scoring his only Test match hundred two years ago against Anderson and company at North Sound.

He also has a knock of 85 against England in Barbados, highlighting his potential at the crease. The challenge now for Blackwood is to maintain his form at Headingley, although conditions will once again favour the Three Lions’ bowlers.

However, he may be in the position to avoid the new ball arriving down the order and seemed to play Moeen Ali well enough at Edgbaston. Therefore backing the 25-year-old at odds of 7.00Bet €100 to win €7006/1Bet £100 to win £700+600Bet $100 to win $7006.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$7006.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp700-0.1667Bet RM100 to win RM700  with Bet365 to top score would be a solid punt.

Top Bowler

Anderson and Broad tormented the West Indies’ batsmen in the first Test. The veteran was at the peak of his powers, moving the pink ball around under lights with ease. Broad grew into the match and was nearing his best in the second innings, leading to his passing of Botham on the all-time list.

Both players are desperate to continue in the series, with Anderson reiterating his desire to play, despite England’s hectic schedule in the winter. The 35-year-old is just eight wickets away from claiming his 500^th scalp in Test cricket and could reach the milestone at Headingley.

Root has managed to spare his premier bowlers from a heavy workload so both Anderson and Broad will be fresh and ready for action. Whether the Three Lions will be tempted to rest one of the main men may come into the equation as Chris Woakes has returned to fitness.

England will want to see the Warwickshire man get overs under his belt before the Ashes, and a decision will need to be made for this match or the final contest at Lord’s. Toby Roland-Jones continued his impressive start to his Test career and will not be easy to dislodge from the side.

Coach Trevor Bayliss will not want to make sweeping changes to a winning side. Therefore taking Anderson to lead the wicket column at odds of 4.33Bet €100 to win €433333/100Bet £100 to win £433+333Bet $100 to win $4333.33Bet HK$100 to win HK$4333.33Bet Rp100 to win Rp433-0.3003Bet RM100 to win RM433  with SunBets.

Winner

England claimed the victory at Edgbaston without having to break out of first gear. Their quality players came to the fore to defeat the tourists with ease as Cook, Root, Anderson and Broad all put in excellent performances.

The Three Lions will want more from the rest of the line-up at Headingley, especially the batsmen. The West Indies’ attack was mediocre at best in decent bowling conditions and the return of Shannon Gabriel will not make a huge difference.

Therefore Root’s men should be able to ease to another win and with it wrap up the series. It’s the only option to take at odds of 1.13Bet €100 to win €11313/100Bet £100 to win £113-769Bet $100 to win $1130.13Bet HK$100 to win HK$113-7.69Bet Rp100 to win Rp1130.1300Bet RM100 to win RM113  with Marathon Bet.

Tips Summary

England To Beat West Indies 2^nd Test
Friday 25^th August 2017 – Tuesday 29^th August 2017
Odds: 1.13Bet €100 to win €11313/100Bet £100 to win £113-769Bet $100 to win $1130.13Bet HK$100 to win HK$113-7.69Bet Rp100 to win Rp1130.1300Bet RM100 to win RM113

Tom Westley To Be England’s Top Batsman
Friday 25^th August 2017 – Tuesday 29^th August 2017
Odds: 7.00Bet €100 to win €7006/1Bet £100 to win £700+600Bet $100 to win $7006.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$7006.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp700-0.1667Bet RM100 to win RM700

Jermaine Blackwood To Be West Indies Top Batsman
Friday 25^th August 2017 – Tuesday 29^th August 2017
Odds: 7.00Bet €100 to win €7006/1Bet £100 to win £700+600Bet $100 to win $7006.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$7006.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp700-0.1667Bet RM100 to win RM700

James Anderson To Be Top Bowler
Friday 25^th August 2017 – Tuesday 29^th August 2017
Odds: 4.33Bet €100 to win €433333/100Bet £100 to win £433+333Bet $100 to win $4333.33Bet HK$100 to win HK$4333.33Bet Rp100 to win Rp433-0.3003Bet RM100 to win RM433