England can finally get back to winning ways at Lord’s

With the state of the slow Trent Bridge pitch the first Test between England and India was one for the cricket purists but as the series moves onto Lord’s expect a few more fireworks between the two sides.

In patches England played well in Nottingham and can take plenty of positives with them down to London, but they still could not force a much needed win.

But with the home side hopeful of more favourable conditions at the Home of Cricket, England will be confident of victory and Oliver Yew looks a five things England can take into the second Test.

Jimmy will be fired up – Anderson to take over 2.5 wickets in 1st innings @ 11/10

There is one thing for certain heading into this week’s Test match – Jimmy Anderson will be fired up!

It doesn’t normally take much to get Jimmy going so India reporting him to the ICC for a reported push on Ravindra Jadeja on day two of the first Test will mean we see a determined Anderson.

The Burnley Express has picked up over 2.5 wickets in three of his last four Test matches at Lord’s and we expect that run to continue against his Indian foes.

England are desperate for a win – England to win @ 13/8

Not since 1992/93 have England gone nine consecutive Test matches without a win but that is what is facing Alastair Cook and his men as they take on India at Lord’s.

And if there is one ground the home side would like to end that run it would be HQ with 10 of the last 12 five-day matches since 2009 producing results.

England have won eight of their last 11 Test matches held in St John’s Wood and with 11 wins from 16 Tests against India in north-west London, Cook and co. will be confident of a much needed victory.

Cook needs a front line spinner in his bowling attack – Man of the Match Simon Kerrigan @ 25/1

England wasted no time in calling up a spinner to the squad for the second Test after Moen Ali continued to struggle at Trent Bridge as Alastair Cook’s frontline spinning option.

Despite conditions at Lord’s not expected to be conducive to spin bowling, England still need a slow bowling option to hold up and end and give  – maybe reword? the likes of Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Liam Plunkett a breather.

Part-time off-spinner Ali could be given one more chance to prove his worth as a bowler on the international stage but Kerrigan, who suffered a nightmare debut at the Oval against Australia last year, waits in the wings.

The Lancashire star has been given a huge vote of confidence by Cook and former county coach Peter Moores but it remains to be seen whether he will get his opportunity to fill the spin bowling void in this England team.

England have a new Mr. Dependable in Joe Root – Root to score 100 in 1st innings @ 5/1

Peter Moores’ side were in a right old pickle in their first innings at Trent Bridge before Joe Root and James Anderson combined to hit England’s highest ever last wicket partnership.

Anderson, sorry I mean Root, was the mainstay of the innings scoring a brilliant 154 not out to help his side to a first inning s lead  of 39 and a small chance of trying to force a victory on a very placid pitch.

With the series moving onto Lord’s Root will be confident of following up with another big knock after posting scores of 200 not out and 180 in his last two appearances at HQ.

The Skipper is still out of form – Alastair Cook to score 50 in 1st innings @ 7/4

Alastair Cook’s search for a significant score with the bat continues at Lord’s after failure in the first innings at Trent Bridge.

When you are out of form you can’t buy any luck and that was proved as the left-hander was bowled by Mohammed Shami off his thigh guard.

But as the saying goes form is temporary class is permanent and Cook, who had a decent game as captain in Nottingham, will be looking to bounce back with the bat in fine style at HQ.

If not he could always revert to bowling after his exploits on the final day of the first Test. On second thoughts maybe not!

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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