4th Test: England vs India
So it’s off to Southampton we go for the latest installment in a summer of thrills and spills.
The Fourth Test: England vs India remains in the balance for SBOBET followers after the tourists’ thrilling win at Trent Bridge.
From the outset, there has been much focus on the skippers – Joe Root and Virat Kohli.
Then there were talks of a possible England romp.
Now, it’s talk of a potential Indian renaissance.
Talking Points
As far as team news is concerned, England are waiting to see if Jonny Bairstow can recover from a broken finger he sustained in the chastening 203-run Third Test defeat at Trent Bridge.
If the wicketkeeper is not passed fit, chances are the recalled James Vince – who has been in superb form for Hampshire in all forms of the game – will play as a specialist batsman with Jos Butler most likely to keep wicket.
In that match, India needed less than three overs of a fifth morning to wrap up a comprehensive victory.
As a result, the pressure is now on the hosts who know if they lose the current series they will slip to sixth place in the current rankings, one place behind Sri Lanka.
Aside from Bairstow, their main worry surrounds their batting where, despite undeniable talent, the statistics make sorry reading.
Since 2015, England have failed to reach 300 in 35 of their past 65 completed innings.
Their opening partnerships have been largely inconsistent with Alastair Cook, their all-time leading run-scorer, lacking a prolific partner. Cook and Keaton Jennings have actually struggled of late.
It is something they need to put right as soon as possible or they will remain consistently inconsistent.
James Anderson, however, remains a man to go to, and he again showed his pedigree as he claimed four wickets at Trent Bridge. He is indeed now just six wickets short of equalling Glenn McGrath’s record to become the most prolific fast bowler in test history.
Clinical with bat and ball in the first two tests, how England react to their massive third test defeat could well be crucial.
Like Cook for the hosts, India have at times seemed overly reliant on the imperious Kohli. And they will certainly not be complacent on the south coast where they chase a first victory since 2007.
They have recalled Hanuma Vihari and Prithvi Shaw in their 18-man squad for the final two tests, although it is unlikely they will feature straight away.
Targeting the English will be Ishant Sharma – who has claimed 11 wickets in the three matches – and Jasprit Bumrah who notched a match-winning haul of seven wickets in Nottingham.
Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya will also be ones to watch, the former saying he and his team-mates fully intend to target Bairstow’s broken finger if he makes it.
Regardless of whether Bairstow is fit or not, there is an argument Vince should be selected on his home ground anyway as the classy right-hander will relish such a test match.
He made 76 in his last Test match in New Zealand before being, arguably, harshly axed by the selectors, and he could be the surprise quantity in Southampton.
Can England win the day and seal the series or are the rejuvenated tourists now holding the key and the momentum to take it the final test?
We are about to find out!
History
Their third test success was only India’s seventh-ever test triumph in England and their first victory on English soil in 11 matches.
Before then, they had passed 200 just once in their previous nine completed innings.
It remains one of the England vs India highlights thus far and dragged Kohli’s side back into the series after they were steamrollered in the second test when they lost by an inning.
Both teams have met once at the Rose Bowl before in the longest format of the game, and England emerged victorious by 266 runs on that occasion.
What are the odds?
The England vs India betting odds favour the home side, and that is no surprise given they have been the dominant force in this test to date.
Yet India will have gained much confidence from their last outing, and a potentially close encounter is reflected in the odds.
England are priced 1X2 @ 2.00 with India further out @ 2.45. The draw, which would ensure the outcome of the overall test is in the balance until the final test (which is scheduled to begin on September 7 at The Oval), is offered @ 4.20.
Asian Handicap betting also leans towards England who are priced at 0.00 @ 1.65 with India 0.00 @ 2.26.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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