Dominant in the ODIs and T20 in Sri Lanka, England will not find it easy to get the better of their hosts in the upcoming Test series.
Sri Lanka looks superb value at a general 6/4 to win the three-match series.
Sri Lanka v England Test Series Best Odds
Sri Lanka 6/4, Draw 14/5, England 9/5
Rangana Herath plays his final match for the home side and his team-mates will be determined to send him off on a high. The veteran spinner could easily have an impact on the First Test as it’s not as if they are facing a team with good recent record when playing on foreign soil. England have lost five and drawn two of their last seven Tests outside of their own country. They’ve not won an away Test since 2016 and, even then, only drew a short series in Bangladesh.
England’s selectors aren’t even sure of their best side or whether they’ll need to play three spinners in Sri Lanka. Stuart Broad, an automatic choice for as long as anyone can remember, could find himself dropped if Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, Jack Leach and even Joe Denly all play. Jonny Bairstow definitely won’t be involved in the First Test but there is indecision over whether Jos Buttler or Ben Foakes will replace him behind the stumps and genuine concerns over an opening partnership of Keaton Jennings and Rory Burns and the form of captain Joe Root.
Only India have beaten Sri Lanka in a Test series since they lost 3-0 in South Africa at the start of last year. They took their revenge on South Africa on home soil earlier this year and have also beaten Pakistan and Bangladesh recently. Dinesh Chandimal’s team will utilise conditions fully and they’ll know that England’s top order will be painfully short of international experience, whoever plays, without the now-retired Alastair Cook. Then there is England’s traditional fallibility against spin.
Given the amount of rain they’ve had in Sri Lanka lately, I think I’d shy away from betting on the Correct Score as there is likely to be considerable disruption but that’s what you get for trying to play cricket during the monsoon season. However, there should be enough dry spells for Sri Lanka’s spinner to wreak havoc.
Betting on England’s Top Batsman in the series could be tricky affair but two of their number showed more adaptability than others in the ODIs. Ben Stokes is a tempting 8/1 with Unibet and Moeen Ali is a best 7/1. The latter makes even more appeal in England’s Top Bowler betting at a best 10/3.
England’s Top Batsman Series Odds
Joe Root 2/1
Rory Burns 6/1
Keaton Jennings 13/2
Jos Buttler 7/1
Ben Stokes 8/1
Joe Denly, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali 10/1
Ollie Pope 33/1
Chris Woakes 80/1
Sam Curran 100/1
500/1 and Upwards Others
(Odds Correct at 3.15pm November 5)
