England take on India in a five-Test series this summer in what should be a much closer contest than the four-match affair that took place on the subcontinent earlier this year.
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Joe Root scored a double century in the opening Test which set up a surprise 227-run victory, but it was one-way traffic afterwards as India’s spinners ripped England apart as the hosts stormed to a 3-1 success.
Rain to Play Its Part
However, these will be very different conditions in England and although both sides have had Test experience recently on these shores, neither were good as New Zealand triumphed 1-0 in a two-Test series against the Three Lions before beating India in a one-off Test in the World Test Championship final at the Rose Bowl.
Both sides will therefore be under pressure going into the first Test, which is set to get underway at Trent Bridge on Wednesday, but that opening encounter could turn out to be a damp squib as the weather is set to have a major bearing on the outcome.
Rain has been forecast for four of the five days, with thunderstorms expected on day three on Friday and how much time is lost will obviously determine if a winner can be found, with the draw the favourite at 13/10.
Still Enough Time
It is difficult to predict if there will be enough time to force a positive result but all things being equal, this game would not last five days and therefore the possibility remains.
New Zealand beat England in a little over 270 total overs in the second Test, bowling the hosts out in 41.1 overs in the second innings on their way to an eight-wicket win, while India were seen off in the WTC Final in a shade over 310 overs
At the prices, recent evidence gives little reason why England are only 17/10 for the victory, given their batting lineup is in disarray, with almost all under pressure for their places, while Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the whole series.
Such is the paucity of options that Jonny Bairstow has been recalled yet again, and it is difficult to see England coming out on top if captain Joe Root doesn’t fire in this series.
The Yorkshire ace is clearly in a class of his own in this line-up, and it wouldn’t be the worst bet to back him at 9/4 to be England’s top runscorer in the first innings, while Bairstow offers a touch more value at 18/5, and is set to be protected to a degree from the new ball, coming in in a middle order position.
Counter-Attackers Could be Key
Backing Jos Buttler at 13/2 is far from the worst idea in the world in what does not look like a high-scoring series, as he may be needed lower down the order to counter-attack if the top order fails.
India have batting problems of their own with rising star Shubman Gill ruled out of the series, while back-up opener Mayank Agarwal has been ruled out of the first Test with concussion.
Ajinkya Rahane is set to play despite a recent hamstring issue but it is not an ideal situation for captain Virat Kohli to be dealing with, particularly after his side was bowled out for 217 and 170 in their two innings in the WTC Final.
Kohli, like Root, is the standout player in the batting lineup, reflected in the betting at 9/4, although Rohit Sharma and the counter-attacking Rishabh Pant offer that little bit more value at 10/3 and 11/2 respectively.
Pant has been a thorn in England’s side for some time now, and made history by becoming the first Indian batsman to get his career off the mark with a six, clubbing a maximum at Wednesday’s venue three years ago.
*All odds correct at time of writing