Bank on West Indies to fail

Bet365 have come up with a few specials on the Test series between England and West Indies, which begins at Lord's on Thursday. And since West Indies look a pretty sorry outfit, it makes sense to look at ways of making money out of their ineptitude and one in particular stands out.

Away from home in recent years, West Indies have been little short of a shambles. They have won just five of their past 50 overseas Tests, but what makes that statistic worse is that four of them were against the minnows of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

Their decline is so bad in fact, that you have to go back to 2000 - and the first Test against England - for their last away Test win of note, and before that, they had not won a single Test match away - against anyone - since the final Test of the series in Australia in 1996/7.

That's verging on a disgrace for a team of West Indies' heritage, but while it's sad, there is money to be made because bet365 make West Indies 5/4 (2.25) to win a Test and 4/7 (1.56) not to win one.

That last price looks absolutely nailed on. England have a much better side, have a great record at home since 2001 and are much more confident than their opponents. The weather may force a draw here or there, but the chances are that England will win 4-0, so take the 4/7 and cheer England on all the way through.