Pietersen to return with a bang at Trent Bridge

The decision to have Trent Bridge as the opening venue for the first Test has been attacked by many pundits and ex players who think that the opening Test should be at a venue which favours England more. The opening game could be the most balanced of all as it is the home Test ground where England have the lowest win ratio. With Australia boosted by a coaching change we could be in for cracker of an opener that could ebb and flow.

England have won their last four matches at Test Bridge and eight of their last 12 Test matches in this country. In addition they have lost just one of their last nine games against Australia here and are 10/11 (GENERAL) for victory in the opener.

Australia are 10/3 (STAN JAMES/BWIN) to win the opening Test and can take heart from having lost just one of their last seven tests at Trent Bridge. The Green Baggys though have won just one of their last six Test matches away including a 4-0 series loss in India.

40% of all Ashes matches played in England have ended drawn and the draw is 3/1 (bet365/sportingbet/STAN JAMES). Those wishing to remove the threat of draw from this game can do so in the draw no bet market. England are 5/12 (888 SPORT) and Australia are 9/4 (SKYBET/boylesports/william hill) in this market.

One final thing to note about Trent Bridge is that six of the last nine Tests at this venue have been won by the side batting first so look out for the coin toss.

Australian captain Michael Clarke is 3/1 (paddy Power) to be the top Australian batsman in the first test. Clarke has scored a total of over 100 runs in six of his last nine Test matches and has a batting average of 45 against England. Clarke also showed good form in recent warm-up matches including a century against Worcestershire.

Those looking for a bat on top England batsman will see the market is headed by Cook and Trott both of whom are 7/2 (GENERAL). It might be worth taking the pair on tough as neither of them has ever recorded a 50 at this venue in a Test match. The recommended bet is Kevin Pietersen at 4/1 (GENERAL) who has hit over sixty in three of his last six innings at the ground and looked impressive when hitting a century from 106 balls for his county side Surrey on his return.

James Pattison heads the market for top Australian bowler in the opening Test and is 11/4 (GENERAL) on the back of 40 wickets from his last ten matches and seven wickets in the last warm-up game with Somerset shows he is in form. If selected then Nathan Lyon could be a great shout. The spinner will love the Trent Bridge pitch especially if the sun stays. Lyon has ended three of the last four series as top Australian bowler and odds of 11/2 (GENERAL) look generous if he is selected.

The top England bowler at 9/4 (paddy Power/STAN JAMES) and it makes no sense to look elsewhere. Anderson took 24 wickets in the 2010/11 series against Australia and at Trent Bridge has taken 39 wickets in six tests and looks the man to be with.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Kevin Pietersen top England batsman in first Test, 4/1 (GENERAL)
SILVER: James Anderson top England bowler, 9/4 (paddy power/STAN JAMES)
BRONZE: Nathan Lyon top Australian bowler, 11/2 (GENERAL)

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12/07/2013     © Frixo 2026