Gayle Return to Force a Wind of Change?

After an absence of 15 months, which in Cricket terms is a lengthy time (the West Indies for instance have played 23 ODI games since that time), Chris Gayle was all poised to make a return to ODI action for the West Indies. Unfortunately a shin injury saw him miss the first ODI and fans of the West Indies and Cricket in general will hope he can return for the second game on Tuesday (June 19th).

England are 8/11 (BetVictor) to win the second ODI international after a crushing first game victory by 114 runs over the West Indies via the Duckworth-Lewis method. This still represents great value as England are the superior team and as good a player as Chris Gayle is his return is unlikely to help the side gain victory.

Speaking of Chris Gayle he is 11/4 (bet365) to be the top scoring West Indian batsman in game two. Obviously you will want to keep an eye on team news, but it is a price that will appeal for many. Gayle has a 31.44 ODI batting average and will be eager to impress on his return to action. A word of caution though Gayle might be eager too impress, but a little too eager. He may swing for runs that are not available and get himself out cheaply, therefore Dwayne Smith could be the value at 9/2 (Skybet) as he topped scored in the last game and he showed good form with the bat in the IPL.

In terms of top English batsmen Alastair Cook and Ian Bell head the market at 7/2 (general). Ian Bell hit a remarkable 126 last time out while Cook made zero and it is Bell who looks the better value at those odds. Of the rest of the English batsman Jonathan Trott is 4/1 (general) while Eoin Morgan is 5/1 (general)

The venue for the second test is The Oval which has not actually been the happiest of hunting grounds for England in recent years with them winning just three of their last ten one-day internationals at the ground (though they have won their last two). If you think that the West Indies can bounce back and tie the series then they are priced at 5/4 (Skybet & Bodog). The tourists have won five of their last six one-dayers at this ground and will hope that this run can continue Tuesday.

The top English bowler market is headed by a number of players including Graeme Swann at 7/2 (general). Swann took just two wickets last time out, but only bowled four overs, much less than the other English bowlers. The top wicket taker in the last test was Tim Bresnan and he is also 7/2 to finish as top wicket-taker.

The top West Indies bowler market is headed by Sunil Narine at 7/2 (ladbrokes). The top wicket taker in the previous ODI was Marlon Samuels and he is 8/1 (bet365) to do the business here. Chris Gayle is also handy with the ball and is 16/1 (ladbrokes) to be the hero with the ball.

Bookmakers will look to bowl you over with a wealth of special markets available on the game, one such market is highest opening partnership pricing. England are 4/5 (BetVictor) and the West Indies are 11/10 (general). The English duo look the pick here, Bell is in great form and Cook will look to bounce back from his zero in the opening game.

The action gets underway early Tuesday Morning (10:45am) so be sure to get your bets on early.

Go To bet365

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17/06/2012     © Frixo 2024