England vs Sri Lanka – Broad and Pietersen will come good
Published:How well Stuart Broad bowls could prove the million dollar question if England are to level their one-day series with Sri Lanka by winning at Trent Bridge.
Broad has failed to take a single wicket in the opening three one-day encounters, but could see his fortune change now back on his home pitch at Trent Bridge.
Taking the new ball, if Broad shines at Trent Bridge with some early wickets, particularly that of Mahela Jayawardene, England will have a far greater chance of victory.
It is 4/5 in the cricket odds that England beat Sri Lanka to make the series score 2-2, while Broad is 1/1 to take a minimum of two wickets in the match.
Despite leading the series and showing the greater team ethic so far, Sri Lanka are the 1/1 underdogs to win at Trent Bridge.
The form of Jayawardene is another reason why it is a surprise that Sri Lanka are not favourites, as he has averaged 76 across the opening three games.
This average is also higher since being promoted to open the batting, scoring 144 and 79 in this position to inspire Sri Lanka victories.
Jayawardene is 3/2 to score a third successive half-century against England.
One player that will be desperate for a score is Kevin Pietersen, who has recorded just one 50 in his last 12 one-day innings.
Pietersen has showed signs against Sri Lanka that a big score is just around the corner and some more patience at the wicket may be all that is required to turn his start into something more substantial.
It is 13/8 that Pietersen scores a 50 at Trent Bridge, while it may be worth a small risk taking the 12/1 that he scoops the man of the match accolade.
