England cut for series win over India following Sri Lanka victory
Published:Many will believe the one-day format will not have any bearing on England’s Test series with India, but they couldn’t be more wrong.
Alastair Cook, for so long the subject of speculation about his ability to score quickly in the one-day format, was named the player of the series and the England one-day captain will go into the Test series with India in the form of his life.
Over the five one-day games with Sri Lanka Cook managed 298 runs at an average of 74.50 and if you consider his Test average this year, 115.80 thanks to 579 runs in five innings, England couldn’t wish for an opener in better nick ahead of a series against the best Test team in the world.
On home soil the advantage is in England’s favour and this is represented in the England vs India Test series odds in which Andrew Strauss’ side are 11/10 favourites.
India are available at 2/1 to win the five-Test series with England and cement their status as the world’s best, while the draw is 11/4.
Considering the weather that affected Sri Lanka’s tour of England, the draw odds look very tempting but England are in fine spirits following their victories over Sri Lanka in both the Test and ODI formats, and there is plenty of reason for optimism.
Strauss will be the main worry for England after a poor Test series against Sri Lanka and it has been confirmed that the England captain will line up for Somerset in their tour match with India next Friday as he looks to find some form.
Strauss’ average against Sri Lanka was a measly 6.75 from four innings and while Cook is in fine form, England cannot afford to bat against India with just ten men.
Lords will host the first Test on July 21st and there is very little splitting both teams in the betting.
England are the current 7/4 favourites but India are available at 5/2 and the draw is the favoured result at 5/4.
