Lure of Ashes spot should ensure England claim Windies series

The third and final Test of an intriguing contest between England and the West Indies takes place at Lord’s – and there’s plenty on the line.

For England it’s their final Test match before they jet off Down Under for the Ashes.

And for the West Indies, a Series win away from home would do wonders for their Test reputation, which has suffered greatly in recent years.

So we should be in for a thriller at Lord’s.

England go into the clash as 2/7 favourites, with the tourists at 10/1 and the draw 7/2.

Joe Root’s side should have enough in hand to avoid a repeat of the defeat at Headingley, especially with so many England batsmen out to claim their spot for the Ashes.

Each of Mark Stoneman, Tom Westley and David Malan will be desperate to use this final chance to impress the England selection panel.

It’s been a difficult summer for the trio, but both Stoneman and Malan hit half-centuries in the 2^nd innings in Yorkshire.

And the lure of a place in the Ashes squad should ensure all three are on top-form this week.

Root is 5/2 to be England’s top runscorer in the opening innings, with Alistair Cook is 3/1.

Kraigg Braithwaite and Shai Hope could be the dangermen for the Windies, following their superb performances at Headingley.

Braithwaite hit 134 and 95, while Hope became the first man to hit centuries in both innings of a first-class match at the venue.

The duo are each 4/1 to top-scores in the Windies’ first innings.

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