Cricket betting: Batting bother for England – but Jonny Bairstow can deliver
England's batting order has been a cause for concern for a number of years now.
Since the departure – wrongly or rightly – of Kevin Pietersen, they have tried to plug the round holes of positions three, four and five with a series of square pegs.
Last time out at Lord’s, with Nick Compton in international exile, the selectors turned to James Vince and Gary Ballance – and both struggled.
Alex Hales is also the latest in a long list of openers used since the retirement of Andrew Strauss in 2012.
While he has shown glimpses of promise, he lacks the assuredness of the current Team Director.
These batting wobbles mean pressure is on Alastair Cook and Joe Root to perform.
When they fail, England usually do so too.
One bright spark in recent times, however, has been the emergence of Jonny Bairstow as a genuine world-class talent.
After his maiden Test century in his 22nd match against South Africa over the winter, the ginger gloveman has come of age, picking up two more tons against Sri Lanka.
Since the turn of the year, he is averaging 88 with the bat in Tests, and almost helped bail England out of trouble last time with a battling 48, as he occupied the crease for almost four hours.
I like the look of his 11/2 to be top England batsman with Betway.
Sadly, however, I just don’t think Vince is cut out for Test level.
He only averaged around 30 in Division Two for Hampshire last year, and hasn’t shown in his four matches that he has justified his step up from the one-day team.
While I hope he proves me wrong, I will be selling his match runs at 61 with Sporting Index.
Pointers
Bairstow top England batsman, 11/2 Betway
Sell Vince runs 61 Sporting Index