by Renee Israel
Despite the comprehensive innings defeat suffered in the First cricket Test,
England still holds the edge at some of the online betting sites for the
England versus South Africa Second Test match.
The Second Test will be played at Leeds from August 2 to August 6. In the
interim South Africa will play a two-day cricket match against Worcestershire.
England Fight Back Expected In Second Test
During the post match presentation of the First Test, English captain Andrew
Strauss backed his bowlers to the hilt. Earlier the bowlers had been criticized
for taking only two South African wickets in the entire cricket test match.
Strauss gave credit to the South African batsmen but said, "Our bowling
attack has huge reserves of confidence. They have taken 20 wickets pretty much
every time they have played for the last two years and this game doesn't change
that for me."
The demand for changes in the English squad is being made. The first target
is Ravi Bopara. Bopara was clearly on probation and this was a golden
opportunity to cement his place in the English side. What was required from him
was a match saving innings on the final day, but he went out due to a rash
stroke.
The BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew opines that the selectors will
persist with Bopara throughout the England versus South Africa Test series, but
the wake up call has been sounded.
The Headingly ground at Leeds favours bowlers and the call is to include
Steven Finn to add some aggression to the pace attack. However, the selectors
have time to mull over the options.
England Versus South Africa Second Test Odds
The online betting site Ladbrokes has already opened markets for the England
versus South Africa Second Test match, giving plenty of time for British punters
to place considered wagers. The odds for the match result are as follows.
England 13/8
South Africa 15/8
Draw 15/8
Another market that will attract British punters is the top England run
scorer. There is little to choose from the first four English batsmen. Naturally
they have the shortest odds, which are as follows.
A Cook 7/2
J Trott 7/2
A Strauss 9/2
K Pietersen 9/2
Bell and Prior exhibited spunky rearguard action in the second innings of the
First Test to end up with the highest scores. However, coming in the middle
order they are not likely to repeat this feat often. In fact, all of England
will be hoping that they do not have to. The odds for these batmen being the top
English scorers in the Second Test are as follows.
I Bell 5/1
M Prior 10/1
