England’s test team is on a high after going ahead in
the test match series in South Africa. The young squad led by
Captain Joe Root has performed really well so far in this test match series and
especially in the batting department which was a problem for them last summer.
England leads 2 tests to 1 test win over South Africa in
the current series and recapping on the matches so far it was South Africa who
went one-nil up after a comfortable win in the opening test.
Quinton de Kock was the star man for South Africa
scoring 95 runs in the first innings and this put pressure on England who only
managed 181 runs giving South Africa a nice lead. They followed this up scoring
272 runs in the second innings, giving England a mountain to climb to win the
test.
South Africa were favourites throughout the test match
and duly delivered for punters as they bowled England out for 268 in their
second innings to win.
Onto the 2nd test and it was South Africa who
were once again the top bookie’s favourites to win this test match. However, it
was England who rolled their sleeves up and performed a top batting and bowling
performance to level the series.
In their first innings after batting first England
scored 269 runs with young Ollie Pope, not on 61 runs. It was the turn of the
bowlers to give England a narrow first-innings lead as James Anderson took 5
wickets as South Africa only scored 223.
With confidence building, England then delivered a
hammer blow to the hosts by scoring 391 and then declaring two wickets left. Dom
Sibley top scored with 133 runs and Be Stokes hit 72 runs. This gave England a
huge chance to win the test which they did as they bowled out South Africa for
248 runs. England’s man of the moment Ben Stokes took 3 wickets as the visitors
caused a shock and won.
The test match which finished last week resulted in a
convincing win for England and a buoyant team delivered in both bat and ball.
Ollie Pope scored 135 with Ben Stokes hitting 120 as England scored 499 for 9
wickets in their first innings.
This dominant display was added to by Dom Bess taking 5
wickets for 51 runs in South Africa’s first innings as they scored 209. Up
against it, South Africa had a mountain to climb so save the test match, but
another good bowling display by England with 4 wickets by Captain Joe Root saw
England take a lead in the test series.
Preview:
The fourth test starts on Friday 24th January
and England are favourites at 1.8 (4/5)
to win and seal a superb series win. South Africa are priced at 3.75
(11/4) to win and tie the series at two sets each with the draw priced at 5.0
(4/1)
In the top first innings, England Batsman market Joe
Root heads the betting at 4.5 (7/2), followed by the in-form Ben Stokes at 5.0
(4/1). Another player of note is top run-scorer so far this series for England
Ollie Pope who is 6.0 (5/1). Some good options here in order to find a
value bet.
Looking at the host’s top first innings Batsman Dean
Elgar is 4.0 (3/1) favourite with SkyBet. One player who shone earlier in the
series is Quinton de Kock who is 5/1 (4.0) to be top South African Batsman.
Looking at the man of the match market, England’s top
all-rounder is priced at 11.0 (10/1) to be ma of the match with Betfair and
having already won one this series, is likely to be involved in the shake-up if
England win.
