Will England Respond To ODI Setback?

England came crashing down to earth in the second match of their one-day series against the West Indies, losing the contest by 26 runs in Bridgetown. The teams now travel to Grenada for the third game where the Three Lions will look to regain the initiative.

Sheldon Cottrell made a huge impact for the Windies after being called into the side. The left-armer claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs to drive his side to victory, removing three of England’s top four, including skipper Eoin Morgan.

The West Indies posed a decent total of 289, although after their exploits of the opening match when England chased down 361 with ease, the tourists would have been confident. Shimron Hetmyer led the way for the hosts with a fine century, scoring his fourth ton in the 50-over format.

England’s bowlers did a better job of containing the Windies than the opener, although Hetmyer still managed to tee off. It set England a decent target and the early inroads made by Cottreell to dismiss Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy put Jason Holder’s men in control.

The Three Lions fought back through Morgan, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler. They were seemingly on their way to another victory, needing only 60 off the final 10 overs. However, they collapsed to allow the home side back into the series, leaving it in the balance heading to Grenada.

West Indies’ Top Batsman

The Windies have notched hundreds from two batsmen in the opening two matches of the series. Chris Gayle appears to be in good touch in the middle, although his reluctance to run between the wickets has cost his side runs. It seems to be six or bust in the case of the 39-year-old at the crease. The plan worked to a degree in the opener, with Gayle scoring a brilliant 135, although the Windies suffered a defeat.

He adopted the same approach in the second match of the series, but was dismissed for 50 before he could get his strike rate above 100. The Windies’ batsmen have been striking the ball cleanly and Hetmyer’s innings was the difference between the two sides. He kicked on where Morgan and Stokes failed to reach three figures. Gayle has looked fairly imperious at the top of the innings therefore back him at 3.75Bet €100 to win €37511/4Bet £100 to win £375+275Bet $100 to win $3752.75Bet HK$100 to win HK$3752.75Bet Rp100 to win Rp375-0.3636Bet RM100 to win RM375  to lead the way with Bet365.

England’s Top Batsman

For once England’s openers failed to fire at the top of the innings. Bairstow and Roy were dismissed cheaply, while Root made 36 before he fell. The onus was on the lower order to dig the tourists out of trouble. Morgan produced a fine knock, notching his second half-century of the series. The 32-year-old was once under threat for his place in the team, although his captaincy has been invaluable to the success of the side.

The notion has he could be replaced in the team was nonsense due to his excellent form and consistency throughout his career in the 50-over format. Morgan has the ability to drop anchor and nurdle the ball around the field as well playing with power, providing the perfect balance in the middle order. It was unusual that he was unable to see his side over the line with a century, but he looks in good touch. Therefore back him to fire once again in Grenada at odds of 5.50Bet €100 to win €5509/2Bet £100 to win £550+450Bet $100 to win $5504.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$5504.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp550-0.2222Bet RM100 to win RM550  with Bet365.

West Indies’ Top Bowler

Cottrell emerged to torment England in just his seventh ODI appearance, ripping through the top order to put them on the back foot. Bairstow and Roy failed to reach double figures, while he returned to remove Morgan, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid to finish the innings.

The Three Lions have had their issues against left-arm bowlers in the past and Cottrell has the ability to cause the same problems. Cottrell rose to the occasion to replace the injured Kemar Roch and has the opportunity to cement his place in the side ahead of the World Cup.

Another fine performance against the best side in the world would further enhance his reputation. Given that the World Cup is in England, boasting a bowler that can move the ball off the seam and swing it would be an advantage for the left-armer. Back Cottrell to build off his impressive performance with another strong outing in Grenada at odds of 4.50Bet €100 to win €4507/2Bet £100 to win £450+350Bet $100 to win $4503.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$4503.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp450-0.2857Bet RM100 to win RM450  with 888Sport.

England’s Top Bowler

The Three Lions’ seamers have struggled in the series, failing to cope with the power of the Windies’ batting order. They’ve not been able to get the upper hand, although Mark Wood did manage to put the clamps on during his 10 overs last time out. Liam Plunkett has been off the boil, being dispatched over the rope with regularity. There have not been many options for Morgan to turn to for control. It is a test of England’s credentials for the World Cup as their batting has masked the flaws in their bowling unit.

The Three Lions do not have a bowler that can blow away a top order unless the pressure of a run chase has forced the hand of the opposition. Woakes should return to the fold after resting a knee injury in the second match of the series. He has been a consistent option for England over the last three years at the top of the innings. Back him to make early inroads to lead the way with the ball at odds of 4.25Bet €100 to win €42513/4Bet £100 to win £425+325Bet $100 to win $4253.25Bet HK$100 to win HK$4253.25Bet Rp100 to win Rp425-0.3077Bet RM100 to win RM425  with 888Sport.

Winner

England missed the opportunity to take control of the series, failing to close out their chase in the second ODI. The Three Lions have been consistent over the last four years and should have no problem bouncing back to form in Grenada. England’s batting order doesn’t usually fail to fire two matches in a row, therefore take them at odds of 1.40Bet €100 to win €1402/5Bet £100 to win £140-250Bet $100 to win $1400.40Bet HK$100 to win HK$140-2.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp1400.4000Bet RM100 to win RM140  with Bet365.

Tips Summary

England To Beat West Indies 3rd ODI
Monday 25^th February 2019 13:30 GMT
Odds: 1.36Bet €100 to win €1369/25Bet £100 to win £136-278Bet $100 to win $1360.36Bet HK$100 to win HK$136-2.78Bet Rp100 to win Rp1360.3600Bet RM100 to win RM136

Chris Gayle To Beat West Indies’ Top Batsman
Monday 25^th February 2019 13:30 GMT
Odds: 3.75Bet €100 to win €37511/4Bet £100 to win £375+275Bet $100 to win $3752.75Bet HK$100 to win HK$3752.75Bet Rp100 to win Rp375-0.3636Bet RM100 to win RM375

Sheldon Cottrell To Beat West Indies’ Top Bowler
Monday 25^th February 2019 13:30 GMT
Odds: 4.50Bet €100 to win €4507/2Bet £100 to win £450+350Bet $100 to win $4503.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$4503.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp450-0.2857Bet RM100 to win RM450

Eoin Morgan To Be England’s Top Batsman
Monday 25^th February 2019 13:30 GMT
Odds: 5.50Bet €100 to win €5509/2Bet £100 to win £550+450Bet $100 to win $5504.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$5504.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp550-0.2222Bet RM100 to win RM550

Chris Woakes To Be England’s Top Bowler
Monday 25^th February 2019 13:30 GMT
Odds: 4.25Bet €100 to win €42513/4Bet £100 to win £425+325Bet $100 to win $4253.25Bet HK$100 to win HK$4253.25Bet Rp100 to win Rp425-0.3077Bet RM100 to win RM425