England 11/4 for series whitewash after dominating second Test
Published:When you think back to the first day of the second Test in which England were languishing at 124-8, there weren’t many who were betting on England.
Fast-forward three days and England have registered their biggest ever victory over India with a day to spare and now it’s difficult finding anyone not betting on England.
The odds for England whitewashing India in this series have been slashed in to 11/4 and India’s hopes of salvaging a series draw look remote at 16/1.
India should welcome back Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag for the third Test and the return of Sehwag will be a huge boost for India.
While Sehwag and Gambhir should restore some stability at the top of the order, the England bowling attack is in such fine fettle that they won’t mind who they bowl at on the Edgbaston wicket next week.
Chris Tremlett will be sweating on his place in the team after Tim Bresnan’s brilliant performance in the second Test but with Jonathan Trott struggling with a dislocated shoulder, England could go with a five-man bowling attack in Birmingham.
Considering the way England’s bowling attack has performed brilliantly, not just with the ball but with the bat in hand also, a five-man bowling attack would have very little impact on the batting.
Andrew Strauss and his side are brimming with confidence and while you can never write off India, they just haven’t looked like the number one Test side in the world at any point during the opening two Test matches.
England are 1/1 to win the third Test which would see them establish a 3-0 series lead and secure the title of the world’s best Test team.
The performances by England thus far have been exception bar one inning in the second Test and the onus is now on Strauss to lead his side to a comprehensive victory.
With just two Test matches remaining it would be easy for Strauss to play out the series, but now is the time to show attacking intent and the 11/4 looks a fair price for a 4-0 whitewash.
