England edge ahead in Test series markets
England are narrow favourites to beat New Zealand in the Test series which begins at Lord's on Thursday
Andrew Hall
17-May-2004
England are narrow favourites to beat New Zealand in the Test series which begins at Lord's on Thursday. England are 11/8 to win the series, New Zealand are 13/8, and a drawn series is 9/4.
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Series outcome
Punters wishing to predict the outcome of the series can get 6/1 on a range of England victory margins: 1-0, 2-1 and 2-0 are all priced similarly. A 3-0 England whitewash is at the longer odds of 16-1. For New Zealand fans with faith in Stephen Fleming's men to repeat their success of 1999, a 1-0 victory is 7/1, and 2-0 and 2-1 are both 13/2. Given bet365's inability to separate the sides, it is no surprise that a 1-1 draw is the favourite - this outcome is just 3/1.
Punters wishing to predict the outcome of the series can get 6/1 on a range of England victory margins: 1-0, 2-1 and 2-0 are all priced similarly. A 3-0 England whitewash is at the longer odds of 16-1. For New Zealand fans with faith in Stephen Fleming's men to repeat their success of 1999, a 1-0 victory is 7/1, and 2-0 and 2-1 are both 13/2. Given bet365's inability to separate the sides, it is no surprise that a 1-1 draw is the favourite - this outcome is just 3/1.
Top New Zealand series run-scorer
Fleming is the shortest-priced batsman in either of the Top Series Batsman markets. At just 3/1 to top-score for the Kiwis over the course of the series, he is the man England must dislodge in order to make inroads into the NZ batting. Having said that, nine of the likely starting XI have made first-class hundreds, so it may be worth looking at some of the outsiders. Chris Cairns will play his last Tests on this tour - he is 7/1 and his heir-apparent Jacob Oram is great value at 10/1. Both would be worth considering - in the recent series against South Africa, Oram scored 283 runs at an average of 94, and Cairns 296 at 74. The leading runscorer in that series was Scott Styris, and a bet at 5/1 for him to repeat the feat against England could pay dividends.
Fleming is the shortest-priced batsman in either of the Top Series Batsman markets. At just 3/1 to top-score for the Kiwis over the course of the series, he is the man England must dislodge in order to make inroads into the NZ batting. Having said that, nine of the likely starting XI have made first-class hundreds, so it may be worth looking at some of the outsiders. Chris Cairns will play his last Tests on this tour - he is 7/1 and his heir-apparent Jacob Oram is great value at 10/1. Both would be worth considering - in the recent series against South Africa, Oram scored 283 runs at an average of 94, and Cairns 296 at 74. The leading runscorer in that series was Scott Styris, and a bet at 5/1 for him to repeat the feat against England could pay dividends.
Top England series run-scorer
England's Top Series Runscorer is similarly open. An unchanged batting line-up should consolidate their fine performances in the West Indies - last time New Zealand were in England, Alex Tudor ended up as the top England runscorer! Marcus Trescothick served notice of a return to form in the one-day matches against West Indies - he is 7/2 second favourite with Graham Thorpe to lead from the front in this series. With bowler-friendly pitches at Lord's, Headingley and Trent Bridge - and Channel 4 insisting on a 10:30 start - it may not be much fun out there for opening batsmen. Perhaps punters should look further down the order for value: Nasser Hussain looks good at 6/1 and Andy Flintoff is 7/1.
England's Top Series Runscorer is similarly open. An unchanged batting line-up should consolidate their fine performances in the West Indies - last time New Zealand were in England, Alex Tudor ended up as the top England runscorer! Marcus Trescothick served notice of a return to form in the one-day matches against West Indies - he is 7/2 second favourite with Graham Thorpe to lead from the front in this series. With bowler-friendly pitches at Lord's, Headingley and Trent Bridge - and Channel 4 insisting on a 10:30 start - it may not be much fun out there for opening batsmen. Perhaps punters should look further down the order for value: Nasser Hussain looks good at 6/1 and Andy Flintoff is 7/1.
Top England series wicket-taker
England's pace-bowling attack received huge plaudits in the Caribbean. Simon Jones has made a remarkable comeback, but is probably behind James Anderson in the pecking order now after Anderson's successful recent outing for Lancashire. At 4/1, Anderson could be a good bet, especially with early-season swing around. Steve Harmison is 13/8 favourite and Matthew Hoggard 3/1.
England's pace-bowling attack received huge plaudits in the Caribbean. Simon Jones has made a remarkable comeback, but is probably behind James Anderson in the pecking order now after Anderson's successful recent outing for Lancashire. At 4/1, Anderson could be a good bet, especially with early-season swing around. Steve Harmison is 13/8 favourite and Matthew Hoggard 3/1.
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.