India vs England: Bairstow and Borthwick make strong case to play
Published:England haven’t had many problems over the past year but it looks like they now have a big one – who to select for their next ODI.
England absolutely demolished Hyderabad Cricket Association XI in their last ODI after bowling out their hosts for 114 after hitting 253 themselves.
Jonny Bairstow was responsible for a fair few of those runs as he smashed the opponents around the field for an unbeaten 104 from just 53 balls.
It’s ominous news for the Indians who head into the first ODI as favourites at 8/11.
However, there’s no guarantee the Yorkshire batsman will even be in the team this Friday.
Ian Bell looks set to be recalled and Ravi Bopara is pushing for a place – along with Craig Kieswetter who hit 71 and Jonathan Trott who smashed 74 against Hyderabad.
Only Kevin Pietersen underperformed with ten off 11 balls and it’s difficult to see the selectors dropping him for the match.
If you do fancy Bairstow to make the team though, he can be backed at 10/1 to keep up his recent good form.
Meanwhile, Scott Borthwick is also pushing for a place in the team.
He arguably has a better chance of making the team as England are still searching for a spinner to compliment Graeme Swann and, having picked up five wickets against Hyderabad Cricket Association XI, he has made himself a strong candidate.
If he is selected then backing him to be top England wicket-taker at 4/1 could prove a punt well worth taking on.
