THE EDGE: The Edge previews the England v India 1st Test with a recommended Betdaq bet.
England v India 1st Test
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The highlight of the English summer begins on Friday as England and India clash in the 1st Test on BETDAQ Betting Exchange. Outside of the Ashes, this is the biggest clash in Test cricket around the world. On one hand, we have an excellent summer of cricket between two superb sides – bound to have plenty of drama. On the other hand, it always does highlight the fact that outside of England, India and Australia we don’t see any five match series in the Test arena these days. It’s another sign of the Big Three v Everyone Else really – it’s a hard problem to fix for the ICC. The big three generate all the money, and argue about having to share – but without them sharing more, the International game suffers.
Anyway, I’m sure that debate will have its day over the summer as we wait for the rain to clear – surely we’ll have a rainy day at some stage during the English summer! This should be a fascinating series, and it’ll be very interesting to see how the 1st Test plays out. India begin life without Virat Kohli after he retired from Test cricket – he was asked to carry on by the BCCI but he knew his time had come. He did tend to struggle in English conditions, but of course he was going to face an England side here without Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad! England are still finding their feet – how could you replace two legends like that of course – and you get the feeling that they will need to start well. England gave Jimmy Anderson a little nudge last summer given the limited opposition touring. Now it’s time for the big boys!
India have decided that Gill will bat a number four. Obviously there’s going to be some moving parts with Kohli gone. We’ll probably see the batting order change throughout the series – unless of course India find a winning formula from day one! India don’t have a wealth of experience in the batting line-up; it looks very young now Kohli is gone despite the likes of Gill, Pant and Rahul being around for so long. A fascinating Test series awaits.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
We kick off the series in Leeds, and the atmosphere will be rocking at Headingley! This is one of England’s go-to grounds for big games. We didn’t have a Test here last summer, but the touring opposition was weak – it’s usually a lock to have an Ashes Test here. India last played here in 2021 and suffered a heavy defeat. It’s turned into a result venue over the years – we’ve only had one draw in the last 20 Tests. South Africa managed a draw here in 2012, but for the next draw you have to go back to 1996. The weather looks set fair too, so it’s hard to see anything bar a result.
RECOMMENDED BET:
As I said above, it’s hard to see a draw here. The stats say this isn’t a draw venue, and the weather won’t force a draw either. Given the way sides are playing Test cricket these days too, it seems we are playing the game in fast forward. The draw is trading 13.0 here, and even at that big price it doesn’t make much appeal. Test markets have really changed in recent years; before you would never see the draw starting this big. This will be a straight shootout between the sides though; England are favourites at 1.67 with India at 3.0. I have to say for me the value is with India at 3.0 in what I see being a 50/50 game to start the series with!
The Edge Says:
One point win India to beat England at 3.0 with BETDAQ Betting Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/1stEnIn
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
It’s interesting to see the spread of results here. There’s quite a range between batting and bowling first. I wouldn’t say either is a massive edge, and it is more than likely decided by the overhead conditions at the toss. With the current weather forecast, I do feel that batting first will offer a slight edge – but you’d want to see no clouds on the opening morning to decide to bat! I do feel India will go well with the bat here though, and that’s where we’ll see most market movement in my opinion.
