The second Test match between England and South Africa takes place at Old Trafford on Thursday and we take a look at the game from a betting angle.
England started the first Test 5/6 favourites to get the win at Lord’s, but it was South Africa who were in excellent form winning with over 2 days to spare.
South Africa won the toss and sent England into bat in what looked like being challenging conditions and so it proved and England were quickly in trouble eventually getting bowled out for a 165 with only Ollie Pope standing firm with 73 runs at the top of the order. For South Africa all of the bowlers were superb, but Rabada’s figures stood out with his 5 for 52 off 19 overs to deliver top bowling returns for those who had backed him.
South Africa got off to a much better start and took advantage of sunny conditions to post 326 all out with contributions almost all the way down the order. Sarel Erwee topped scored with 73 and for England there were 3 wicket hauls for Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad.
England looked to have a huge task ahead and were clearly not up to it from the start getting bowled out for 149 with Stuart Broad and Alex Lees joint top scorers with 35 and the South Africa bowlers, were all once again excellent, sharing the wickets amongst them with Nortje getting 3 for 47 finishing with the best figures in the wickets column at any rate.
England have an excellent record in Test matches at Old Trafford and of the last 8 they have played they have only lost one and drawn one, winning the other 6. The last time these sides met at Old Trafford, England ran out comfortable winners by 177 runs.
BETTING – Click here to bet
England 1/1
Draw 4/1
South Africa 19/10
SELECTIONS:
South Africa to win 19/10
I still have some concerns about South Africa’s batting attack, but there bowling line-up is top class and a result once again looks on the cards. South Africa are shorter than they were at Lord’s, but I see no reason not to back them at just shy of 2/1.
Batsman to score a 50 in the First Innings, Aiden Markram, yes, at 2/1
Markram is one of the players coming under pressure to defend his place, the man has so much talent and I just hope he can deliver on it with a big first innings score.
Top Home Batsman First Innings, Jonny Bairstow at 15/4
Bairstow was kept quiet in the First Test, but let’s not detract from the fact that he has had a brilliant season and I fancy him to come out fighting and swinging and hopefully finishing up as England’s Top Batsman.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
