Pakistan vs England 1st Test Betting Preview

Even before the Ashes hysteria has completely died down, and with interest in English cricket at record levels, the national team begin their latest test series on Saturday, in Multan, Pakistan. Playing cricket in the sub continent is notoriously challenging, and newcomers to the game will be required to draw on their patience if planning to take more days off (or at least half-days with a 4am start for UK viewers) work to watch their new found heroes. A feature of the summer was the swash buckling approach taken by both sides, but this method is not appropriate in Pakistan. Slow pitches, and humid conditions means that seam bowlers will have to work for every inch of bounce, and batsmen will have to be wary of turn at any point from the first ball onwards. The hosts are likely to employ three or even four spinners in their eleven, and negotiating their nuances will be key to English hopes. The two warm up games have been played on flat tracks in Rawalpindi and Lahore, and it is no secret that the test wickets will be more traditional and friendly to spin. Mushtaq Ahmed and Danish Kaneria are spinners of the top order, whilst Shahid Afridi and opener Shoaib Malik are also fantastic back up options. In response to this, England offer Ashley Giles and Shaun Udal. Both are from the consistent and nagging brand of slow bowlers, not imparting huge amounts of spin but putting the ball in areas that cause the batsmen to play safe. They are also both off spinners, whilst three of the four opponents mentioned above are leg spinners, a breed that has famously caused extra problems to English batsmen. This has been best shown by Shane Warne who is the best in the business, and although Duncan Fletcher was apparently happy with the way England played him during the summer, he still took a mammoth 42 wickets. In Kaneria, Pakistan have the second best exponent of leg spin on the planet, and we expect him to reap rich rewards during the series. On the last tour of England in 2000, Kaneria made his debut, and despite getting Marcus Trescothick stumped in his third over, nerves affected the youngster and the batsmen were largely untroubled. He has come of age since then though and during 2005 took 34 wickets in just six games. Added to this, on his only previous game in Multan, his figures were 12 for 94 runs. Having honed his knowledge of English batsmen with Essex in the summer, Kaneria is a tireless bowler who is happy turning his arm all day long if asked to by his skipper. The odds on Kaneria to be top Pakistan bowler over the three match series are a little on the short side at 10/11. Nevertheless, it should prove a wise investment to back the leggy to take the most wickets for the hosts over the next few weeks. Reverse swing can be a valuable weapon in sub continental conditions, and so the injury to Simon Jones is a real blow for the tourists. Steve Harmison is likely to find it hard going, and Hoggard is a more conventional swinger. Andrew Flintoff could again be the key man for Michael Vaughan (or whoever is captain) to throw the ball to but although he took three wickets in the second innings against Pakistan A, it was clear that even Freddie cannot be expected to do all the work himself. England lost that game is weak circumstances and this can't really bode well. However, they have six straight series wins under their belts and so ought to be expected to gather themselves for the main event on Saturday. It will be tough going though, and there are some glaring issues with the bat, as well as the ball. The skipper himself has been in dire form so far on tour, and a twisted knee against Pakistan A makes him a doubt to start. Kevin Pietersen (can he control himself against the slow bowlers?) is also playing poorly and has much to prove in the eyes of many, and Ian Bell certainly does if he is selected. On the up side the openers, Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss have shown enough to suggest that they are in good nick entering this game. When looking at the result market, we feel it makes plenty of sense to show interest in the draw. The slow pace of the games means that 5 days are highly likely to be utilised, and there are added complications brought on by the seasonal conditions. Play will not be able to go on after 4.30 in the afternoon as it gets dark, meaning that a 9.30 start has been put in place. However, this brings the question of dew into play, and a good deal of overs are almost certain to be lost to the Pakistan winter. The draw for the first Test is put at 11/10 and is worth a small wager