General

One more game for weary England

Poor old England. After another batting collapse on Monday, their tailenders got so close to victory only to fall short as Pakistan wrapped up the one-day series, taking an unassailable 3-1 lead

Simon Cambers
After an impressive Test series, surely Ian Bell merits a place in the England team for the fifth ODI? © Getty Images
Poor old England. After another batting collapse on Monday, their tailenders got so close to victory only to fall short as Pakistan wrapped up the one-day series, taking an unassailable 3-1 lead. But, though they must wish otherwise, there is one more game to be played and England will have to raise themselves one more time to salvage a little pride, having followed their Test series loss with defeat in the one-dayers.

Loading ...

Click here to bet on Pakistan v England at bet365

Their professionalism is not in question but it's hard to imagine England being on top form in the final match, which takes place in Rawalpindi on Wednesday. The home side have won 12 of the 15 one-day games on the ground, and the manner of their victory on Monday suggests that there is likely to be only one winner in the final game. bet365 make Pakistan 4/9 (1.44) to complete a 4-1 win, while England are 13/8 (2.62) to bounce back with what would be a morale-boosting way to end a difficult tour. However, it is hard to see them producing their best, while Pakistan are on a high, having won nine of their last 10 one-dayers.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, who top scored in the fourth game, is joint favourite at 7/2 (4.50) with Mohammad Yousuf to repeat the feat, while the impressive Kamral Akmal and opener Salman Butt are both 9/2 (5.50). And keep an eye on Shahid Afridi, who is threatening a big innings and is a 6/1 (7.00) chance to come good and make his side's top score.

For England, Marcus Trescothick is the 3/1 (4.00) favourite, Andy Strauss and Andrew Flintoff are 9/2 (5.50) and Ian Bell - strangely overlooked so far - is an 11/2 (6.50) bet. Matt Prior and Vikram Solanki are both 6/1 (7.00) while Ian Blackwell is a 16/1 (17.00) chance, which after the way he batted on Monday, could be an interesting bet.

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.

Simon Cambers is Cricinfo's new betting correspondent