ENGLAND VS WEST INDIES 1ST ODI AT HEADINGLEY BETTING TIPS

A few months ago, news that Kevin Pietersen would miss an ODI would likely be met with cries of "well, what do England do now?" but we're now seeing a much more assured and relaxed England, who no longer have to depend on their five-star players to ensure success. What we've been seeing since the India series is a changing of the guard and we've got a younger, fresher England side that is starting to strut about the pitch with a renewed sense of confidence and optimism. Call it confimism.Pietersen nursing an Achilles injury is likely great news for Eoin Morgan who looks to take the #4 position. Ravi Bopara is predicted to move up to #2 with Owais Shah stepping in for another go at #3. I think the one-day game favours Shah more so than test cricket and the inclusion of Dimitri Mascarenhas gives us another option with the bat as well. This is an England team who should not be afraid to bat first. England go into the first One-Dayer carrying a price of 8/11 with popular UK bookmaker William Hill. Windies are listed at 11/10, so there doesn't appear to be a huge amount between the two teams according to the bookmaker. Ravi Bopara is available at 3/1 to be top English batsmen with Andrew Strauss at 10/3, Matty Prior at 9/2 and Owais Shah at 5/1. Chris Gayle is a slight favourite over Shivnarine Chanderpaul to be top West Indies batsmen. Gayle is at 11/4 while Shiv is at 3/1. Ramnaresh Sarwan is at 7/2 while Lendl Simmons and Dwayne Bravo are at 6/1 and 13/2 respectively. After his stellar performance during the test series, in particular the second test at Chester-le-Street, James Anderson comes into this one at a relatively short price to be top England bowler. He's listed at 5/2 with Stuart Broad at 11/4. Graeme Swann and Ryan Sidebottom are at 4/1 but I'm not sure how much I fancy spin on this pitch or Sidebottom who lacks a bit of match practice. You can check out the match betting at William Hill for contests between your favourite batsmen. There's not a huge amount of value there, but if you've got a feeling about somebody this is the place to make it happen. There is also a 7/4 price of a century being scored in the match. PREDICTIONI think that England should have enough to take West Indies although this one may come down to the last few overs. I think Stuart Broad will have a great match and I'm backing him to take three wickets or so. I think Ravi Bopara is a solid bet for top English batsmen, but why not have a bash on Eoin Morgan who is at 5/1 and will be looking to impress.