ENGLAND VS WEST INDIES 5TH TEST BETTING TIPS

The bookies are favouring a draw for Andrew Strauss' English side heading into the fifth and final test match of their so far underwhelming West Indies tour. The lions have struggled on the flat pitches in virtually every match that went ahead, and the distinct lack of Flintoff's presence has given England another handicap. The batting has been significantly better than it was in India (if you forget about THAT innings) but the attack, in particular the pace attack has been left wanting at times. As it currently stands, 888sports has the draw listed at 6/5 contrasted with a 7/4 for an England victory and 13/5 for the West Indies. Ramnaresh Sarwan is the unsurprising favourite for top runscorer, with only Ryan Sidebottom standing between him and an unbelievable 300 during the last test- a stand that changed the match. Sarwan can be backed at 5/2 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul right behind him at 3/1. Kevin Pietersen is the favourite to outbat the rest of the English side, listed at 3/1, but I was very much impressed by Andrew Strauss in the last two tests and I think he'll do further damage. A captain's performance in the first innings of the fourth test produced a score of nigh-on 170. Alistair Cook also added some gloss to his name with his 2nd innings 4th test century insuring the draw for the tourists. He can be backed at 4/1. With the speed and flatness of these West Indian pitches, we've seen heaps of centuries so far and the odds are very enticing on a number of these batsmen. The 1st innings century market has Ramnaresh Sarwan at 3/1, Chanderpaul, Pietersen and Strauss at 7/2 with Alistair Cook and Chris Gayle both sitting at 4/1. I'm also backing Strauss to outscore Chris Gayle at 4/5 with Strauss outscoring Owais Shah at 4/6. VERDICT: I'm only betting in-running on the outright result, but I fancy an English win, after I see our first innings score.