Twenty20 Betting: England still capable of pruning Proteas

"There were hints of England getting to grips with the game in Durham"

Back-to-lay England at 2.226/5

Ed Hawkins, the SJA Betting Writer of the Year, says it is not all gloom for the hosts against South Africa and they can put up a strong challenge at Old Trafford on Monday

England
Dismantled is probably the word for England's defeat by South Africa at Durham on Saturday. Yet there seems little the hosts can do in terms of personnel. They just need to play better.

Perhaps there is a case for Stuart Broad, the captain, batting lower than No 8, but that seems unlikely. Luke Wright is a potential draftee but a bowler would have to make way and at the moment Jade Dernbach and Steven Finn are considered key cogs.

South Africa
It could be argued that it was IPL experience which proved key for South Africa in the north east, a bitter point for the England management on the same day they effectively ended Kevin Pietersen's international career over a spat which began with his demand to play more in the tournament.

Dale Steyn and Johan Botha were brilliantly economical, going at 3.25 and 4.75 respectively while JP Duminy and Jacques Kallis, both stalwarts of IPL middle-orders, got the batting out of a hole.

Venue and conditions
Our luck is in for the second match running in the gloomy north: no rain forecast. The average first dig score from a paltry three matches at Old Trafford is 144. Last year England chased down 166 set by India. Certainly more than 160 looks unlikely this time around.

Match odds
It would be easy for England to throw the baby out with the bath water following South Africa's comprehensive win in Durham by seven wickets. Punters likewise who followed them at decent odds against.

But it would be reactionary in the extreme to write off the hosts, despite the last defeat being their fifth in eight against a blooming Proteas this summer.

There were hints of England getting to grips with the game in Durham. Craig Kieswetter got them off to a decent start with the bat and then, after a disappointing collapse, England looked dangerous when reducing South Africa to 29 for three.

It means that at the very least England are worth support at 2.226/5 for a back-to-lay, some drift from the 2.1211/10 they were before the first Twenty20. South Africa are skinny at 1.784/5 and we rarely touch such thin offerings in this format.

Top England batsman
Confidence could be a little thin on the ground in the England batting camp after they struggled to 118. But Eoin Morgan is a man whose confidence is always hight in this format and he is the man to follow for those who want to play this market. Last time out on this ground he hit 49 from 27 balls to top score against India.

Top South Africa batsman
It is difficult to see past Kallis when he opens and delivers with a classy performance. He will be prohibitively short, of course, so perhaps Richard Levi, his opening partner, who has the ability to go off like a rocket, could be an exciting alternative.

Recommended bet
Bac-to-lay England at 2.226/5

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Twenty20 Betting: England can land series win in Abu Dhabi

Pakistan v England / Ed Hawkins / 27 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Pietersen and Kieswetter are leading top runscorer fancies

"There have been only five Twenty20 internationals played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium and no side has passed more than 141 batting first"

Ed Hawkins previews the decider in the T20 series in Abu Dhabi today, and expects England's bowlers to hold sway

Start: 16.00
Live on Sky Sports 1

Pakistan
Another brittle batting display from Pakistan in the second Twenty20 international confirmed that they cannot cope with England's bowling. Even in victory in the first match they were only one more wicket away from ignominy.

In Dubai last time out the game was effectively over by the eighth ball when Asad Shafiq became the second wicket to fall with only two runs on the board. They desperately need a solid foundation at the top of the order and the pressure on openers Mohammad Hafeez and Awais Zia is clear, particularly the latter who has now retreated into his shell following an impudent start.

Zia could be replaced by Imran Farhat while there is talk of a promotion up the order for Hammad Azam with the disappointing Shoaib Malik dropping down.

England
Great relief for England following the performance of Jonny Bairstow, who returned to form in the international game. He has been quiet for some time but his 60 from 46 balls will do wonders for his confidence.
Like naughty schoolboys who chatter too much when sat together in class, England were right to split Bairstow and Jos Buttler with Samit Patel coming in between them. Now all they need is for Buttler to get a score. He failed for the third time on tour and needs runs.

Venue and conditions
We can expect another wicket which is tricky to score quickly on. There have been only five Twenty20 internationals played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium and no side has passed more than 141 batting first. There is a toss bias with four from five having been won by the chasing outfit but we wouldn't read too much into that. We expect the ball to bend and dip under lights.

Match odds
At the start of the series this column advised a 2-1 England victory and we are confident that wager will cop, particularly if England get to bat first.

Indeed, posting 140 or 150 and then attempting to strangle England in a chase - as Pakistan did in game one - is Pakistan's only hope and certainly they should be avoided like the plague if they are chasing a target. Whatever they do, expect them to be two down pretty quickly. That opinion can form the cornerstone of a trading strategy.

Pakistan are [2.2] and that is a fair drift from prices on the cusp of [2.00] at the start of the series. England have shortened to [1.81]. As ever, wait until the toss before taking the plunge.

Top Pakistan batsman
Misbah-ul-Haq, who suffered defeat for the first time as Pakistan skipper in this format on Saturday, has played three times at the Sheikh Zayed in Twenty20, scored 108 runs and never been out. He is [6.4]. It is unlikely there will be many takers, however, following his go-slow in Dubai. Umar Akmal, Pakistan's best batsman, makes appeal at [6.40], p[particularly with Pakistan's openers so unreliable.

Top England batsman
Bairstow went to the top of the series runscoring charts with that unbeaten 60 but we would not expect him to go well again. We need more evidence of consistency before we spend money on him. He is [8.1]. Kevin Pietersen is the man to beat but is plenty short enough at [3.75]. His opening partner, Craig Kieswetter, could therefore be overpriced at [5.10].

Recommended bet
Lay side batting first for 160 or more at around [2.80]

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