T20: England vs West Indies
So it’s off to Chester-le-Street we go for the next installment of the West Indies’ tour of England 2017.
Although many sports betting fans (and probably some players) already have one eye on the Ashes, following the two Test Series wins this summer against the Windies and South Africa, it would be premature for England not to use this encounter as part of the overall build-up.
Whether you bet online on cricket or not, T20 is simply a different breed and there is history here, a year after the World Twenty20 Final when batsman Marlon Samuels played such a pivotal role.
This solitary T20 clash comes before the start of a five one-day international series and, only at the conclusion of that, should the Ashes be the focus.
Even though all-rounders Ben Stokes – who has a chequered history with Samuels – and Moeen Ali have both been rested for this one, England won’t be short of talent.
Middlesex man Dawid Malan has a point to prove if wants to be an opener ‘down under’ this winter, captain Joe Root remains the glue of the batting line-up, while Jonny Bairstow needs to show more control than he has managed so far this summer if he is to force his way into the Ashes starting team.
Despite the series win, the West Indies’ test showed there remains vulnerability about England who will be punished by better teams for any slip-ups.
That is why matches like the remaining encounters with the Windies are important to the bigger picture. That goes for both nations.
Remember, the West Indies can avoid a long qualifying road for the next World Cup with four ODI successes and have plenty to play for themselves.
The return of Samuels and Chris Gayle, described by England bowler Tom Curran as the ‘greatest T20 batsman ever’, has naturally dominated the countdown to these contests – no surprise there for, even at nearly 38, he remains one of the biggest draws in the game.
With Jerome Taylor also back in the squad – ending an amnesty after players had to be available for the available for corresponding domestic tournaments before being selected – this has all the ingredients of being a thriller.
The T20 Caribbean atmosphere is only days away!
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