England v Sri Lanka: 2nd Test
ENGLAND SET FOR EDGBASTON WIN
James Millman, readaBet.com
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2002-03-27
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England and Sri Lanka go into the 2nd Test match all square following the draw at Lords. The hosts will be the happier of the two sides after being made to follow on in the 1st Test. Having started their second innings with a massive deficit, England declared at 529-5 leaving Sri Lanka the impossible task of needing 250 runs of just 17 overs. What will have pleased the England management most was the fact that the batsman had scored over 500 runs for the first time in five years.
England captain Nasser Hussain admitted that everyone had underestimated Sri Lanka and that there was a lot of hard work ahead for his team for the rest of the Test series. Fortunately for the hosts, it appears that Muttiah Muralitharan is unlikely to be fit in time to play at Edgbaston. It was more than evident that the tourists desperately needed Murali to bowl their opponents out twice, especially with Chaminda Vass not being so effective.
Edgbaston has not been the happiest of hunting grounds for England in the past four years. They have only beaten New Zealand in that time and have suffered innings defeats in the previous two Birmingham Tests, although these were against the two best Test nations in the World. Despite this recent record and being made to follow on in the previous Test, the hosts have been made the clear favourites at a best price of 6/4 to win.
At Lords, it did appear that Sri Lanka did not have total confidence in their ability in winning without their star perform. Had Murali been fit for this Test, the odds of 4/1 for a tourist’s victory may have been significantly shorter. The weather forecast for the Edgbaston is fairly good with only scattered showers forecasted for a couple of days. Therefore, enough cricket should be played to ensure a draw (7/5) is unlikely.
England’s response to their inability to take ten Sri Lankan wickets at Lords has been to call up Simon Jones of Glamorgan. It has been impossible not to pick a paper this week and not read something about this young speedster. Whether he plays or not, England’s bowling attack is likely to be far more lively with all the bowlers knowing they need to do better to remain in the side.
Andrew Caddick will especially be keen to make up for his poor showing at Lords, where he took just one wicket. The Somerset bowler had a decent match against Surrey in the County Championship and should be raring to go on Thursday. The opening bowler is a best price of 9/4 to be top England bowler at Edgbaston. |
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4pts England to beat Sri Lanka at Edgbaston at 6/4 (Bluesq)
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Having played so poorly in the first Test, Nasser Hussain will be looking for his players to put in a much stronger showing at Edgbaston. England may have lost the last two Edgbaston Tests, but Sri Lanka without Muttiah Muralitharan are not a dangerous bowling side. A home victory at a best price of 6/4 looks a decent bet. |
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