Controversial Broad decision the key to an England 1st Test victory
Published:Controversy reigned at the close of play on Day 3 of the opening Ashes Test following the decision by umpire Aleem Dar not to give Stuart Broad out, despite the Nottinghamshire bowler clearly getting a thick outside edge to Michael Clarke at slip.
The decision clearly rattled the visitors, but it’s the kind of luck that may well swing the opening match of the series in the favour of Alastair Cook’s side.
The aforementioned Broad may well go on to hurt Australia with both bat and ball, with the visitors looking likely to be asked to chase down a target in excess of 300 in the final two days. As a result, the Nottinghamshire man is 5/6 to score over 65.5 runs on his home ground in England’s second innings, but is 1/2 to be the next England batsman to lose his wicket.
Aside from the day’s controversy, the partnership built by Broad and Ian Bell looks likely to edge the hosts into a position that would require the highest ever successful run chase at Trent Bridge, with the current record standing at 284-6 by England against New Zealand in 2004.
As a result of this, England are just 1/3 to draw first blood in the best of five series with a 5-0 whitewash – as mooted by Sir Ian Botham – available at 8/1, or a 4-1 England series victory available at 7/1. If the weather stays like it is currently for the next six weeks, then this selection looks set to be a shrewd choice for cricket fans.
The overall England performance suggests that there is work to be done by the top order batsmen before the teams head to Lord’s. Despite a few wobbles with the bat England are 2/7 to retain the ashes for a third successive Test Series.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
