THE EDGE: The Edge previews the England v India 2nd Test with a recommended Betdaq bet.
England v India 2nd Test
MATCH OVERVIEW:
England and India meet again on BETDAQ Betting Exchange as we begin the 2nd Test on Wednesday in Edgbaston. We had a cracking 1st Test – it looked like we might actually have had a draw which you would have said was unlikely – but England chased down a pretty big score to win on the final day. Chasing down 350+ in the final innings hasn’t been a common occurrence in Test cricket, but obviously the game is moving on at pace these days. Back in the day, most sides would have played with a draw in that situation – when Ben Stokes was asked about that before the chase, it wasn’t even an option – England were going for it.
Edgbaston should produce pretty similar conditions to Headingley – there should be plenty of runs in the wicket and equally something for the bowlers if they get their line and length right. India have suffered a big blow in the big build to this Test with Jasprit Bumrah unlikely to play. That’s a huge blow to the Indian attack – especially with the England batting going so well. His chances are rated as low at the time of writing; obviously that could change though and it’s something to monitor. Jofra Archer could start for England too – he hasn’t had much cricket lately though – Rob Key is quoted as “unconcerned” about effectively throwing him into the deep end in the hardest format of the game.
We should have another cracking Test though. Obviously England will be the favourites, but India played very well in the opening Test. Historically they have struggled in English conditions but this batting line-up looks to be in a good place. It’s not all doom-and-gloom for India. We knew it was going to be a great summer, and this should be another excellent Test.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
India should have a lot of support in Birmingham – they are always exceptionally well supported here. As I said above, we can expect similar conditions here as we had in the 1st Test. Edgbaston has been a result venue, and given the way these two play it’s hard to see a draw. You have to go back to 2012 for the last draw here, and we’ve had nine Test since then including India twice and Ashes Tests etc so we’ve had a lot of competitive cricket. The forecast looks good for the opening three days, and then it might be worth keeping an eye on the radar over the weekend.
RECOMMENDED BET:
It’s no surprise to see England as the odds on favourites again here, especially after winning the 1st Test. I actually felt India offered some value in the 1st Test at 3.0+, however they played very well and still got beaten – I actually felt England would be a little shorter than 1.66. The draw is trading 8.0 – as I said above, it’s hard to see a draw given the way these sides play, especially England, however there might be rain over the final two days so that’s something to monitor. All things considered though, I’m happy to take the 1.66 on England.
The Edge Says:
Two points win England to beat India at 1.66 with BETDAQ Betting Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/2ndEnIn
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
The 1st Test was very good for trading with plenty of ebbs-and-flows over the five days – even the draw got involved. I would expect a pretty similar Test, and you’d have to feel that both sides will be on top at different times – we do have two top class sides here after all. Edgbaston is another venue that you’d want to be on the batting side with the sun out and the bowling side under clouds – and then at the weekend you want to be watching that radar.
