Captain Cook could struggle to continue his fine ODI form
PAKISTAN vs ENGLAND
SATURDAY – 11.00 AM SKY SPORTS
FOR a long time Alastair Cook couldn’t even get in England’s one day side. Now, no man’s place in the team is more secure. The Three Lions skipper has registered a number of big scores at the top of the order and this week became the first England captain to hit back-to-back centuries, with totals of 137 then 102 in the space of 48 hours. It was England’s 574th ODI.
After a terrible showing in the Test series, in which they were whitewashed, England have earned themselves an unassailable limited overs lead after winning the two opening games of this four-match series. The first of those was achieved without breaking sweat. The tourists made 260-7 and eased to a 130-run win in Abu Dhabi as Cook reached his highest one day score and Ravi Bopara played his part with an exact half-century. The Essex boys were again England’s top scorers on Wednesday – Bopara posted 58 – as the team made 250-4 and won by 20 runs.
However, Pakistan’s required run rate was still around a run a ball until late on, while they had enough wickets in hand to give the visitors more of a scare. In both matches England have won the toss and chosen to bat. If Misbah-ul-Haq gets to make the decision on Saturday, as the action moves to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, and puts England in, then they could struggle to chase down under pressure. In the last two matches on this ground it is the team batting first which has prevailed.
Before their two reverses in Abu Dhabi, Pakistan had won 13 of their previous 14 ODIs so will expect to make a mark on this series, especially as England’s last 50-over series ended in a 5-0 thrashing in India. The bookies also expect Pakistan to improve their fortunes, with 3-1 to England the favourite with Blue Square at evens in the series correct score market.
The sides can’t be split in the third ODI betting, with each team available at 5/6 with Coral, and I’m in favour of Pakistan at those odds. Another option is to buy their supremacy at 10 with Sporting Index. Despite his undeniably fantastic form, I think there is also an opportunity to oppose Cook. He is 3/1 favourite to be his side’s top scorer again, but it is worth remembering that he was dropped on 28 and he has plenty of low scores to match the highs from his 43 ODI caps. There have been four ducks in that time and further six failures to reach double figures. His average stood at 35.56 until his last two knocks pushed it to 41.39. A small sell of his performance at 40 with Sporting Index is recommended.
POINTERS…
Pakistan to win at 5/6 with Coral
Buy Pakistan’s supremacy at 10 with Sporting Index
Sell Cook performance at 40 with Sporting Index