Back hero Broad in ODI
ENGLAND vs AUSTRALIA
1ST ODI, TODAY 1PM, SKY SPORTS 1
THE JUBILATION of England’s Ashes victory soon gave way to the fiasco that was the aborted Twenty20 series. With those two games brushed under the proverbial carpet, the upcoming exhaustive seven-match one day series gives Australia the chance to return home with a little pride, even if they will have to leave the urn behind.
Heading back to the scene of the final chapter of the Test fest, the Aussies are odds-on favourites for the first game at the Brit Oval. Having won four of their last five 50-over contests, including the convincing defeat of Scotland, they’ve also claimed six of their last ten series encounters and currently sit third of the ICC-ranked teams. Impressive stuff, but not quite enough to justify a heavy punt on the 4/7 about them available on Betdaq. Especially as the Three Lions have won their last five ODIs and sit only a place below the Baggy Greens in the governing body’s official ladder.
England’s heroes will be looking to add to the Aussie’s summer of misery, and tormentor-in-chief Stuart Broad will be back at the track which saw him distinguish his opponents’ Ashes hopes. He has developed immensely as a cricketer and I wouldn’t put anyone off buying his performance index at 45, where runs, catches, wickets and stumpings are all rewarded.
He was comfortably England’s leading Ashes wicket-taker, despite coming in for more than a few rounds of criticism, and this red hot form has also seen him nominated for the ICC Test Player of the Year. He’s a 25/1 outsider with Boylesports to be recognised for his exploits in whites, behind his captain Andrew Strauss who’s 5/4 favourite, and is worth backing to transfer this form into the one day format.
Australia’s stand-in skipper Michael Clarke may yet get the short-form job on a long-term basis. In order to press home the merits of a split captaincy he’ll be eager to impress with the bat and looks good to score runs today. He was in great nick throughout the main event, hitting 448 as his side’s top scorer at an average of 64. His one day average is the right side of 40 and Boylesports’ 4/1 for him to top score for the tourists is decent value.
England’s Matt Prior also got vital Ashes runs, out-scoring specialists higher above him in the order and the gloveman could prove handy again. He’s a good outside bet to top score for England at 6/1 with the same firm.
Pointers…
Buy Stuart Broad’s performance index at 45 with Sporting Index
Michael Clarke to be Australia’s top scorer at 4/1 with Boylesports
Matt Prior to be England’s top scorer at 6/1 with Boylesports