Strauss and Cook put England on course for first Test draw
Published:What a difference a day makes! At the end of day three, Australia’s first innings score of 481 saw them priced at 4/11 to win the first Test but England’s shock day four comeback has seen those odds drift to 12/1, with the draw now hugely fancied at 1/33.
Andrew Strauss, the England captain who was arguably the most disappointing first innings performer after suffering a third-ball duck, and his opening partner Alastair Cook both hit centuries to launch the unlikely recovery.
Strauss scored 110 before eventually falling while Cook is still standing on 132 as England closed on 309/1, a score that leaves them with an 88-run lead, as Australia claimed just one wicket in the whole day’s play.
The visitors have almost no chance of leaving Brisbane victorious, as is reflected by odds of 20/1, so their focus will be on playing it safe and attempting to avoid the sort of spectacular batting collapse that they’ve been prone to at times in the past.
It’s 5/6 that Cook will continue his fine form to score over 162.5 runs, something he’s only managed once previously in his Test career, when scoring 173 in Bangladesh earlier this year.
Unders also looks the more appetising option in the market judging when England’s second wicket will fall, with odds of 5/6 available on it coming when the touring team are on 340 runs or fewer.
If you fancy a bet on England’s eventual second innings score then the over/under is set at 470.5, with 5/6 offered on either option.
A £10 bet on England scoring fewer than 161 runs for their next nine wickets delivers a return of £8.33. New customers can sign up here for a free £10 bet.
