Sports betting, with Keith McHugh

OUR sporting summer starts tomorrow when Lord’s hosts the first of three Test matches between England and New Zealand.

Following their 2-1 winter victory over the Kiwis, England are justifiably hot favourites to win this latest series at 2-7.

The tourists are a huge 11-1, with the draw at 5-1.

As for the first Test, England can be backed at 7-10 and, with a decent weather forecast for the game, that’s quite a generous price offered by Sporting Bet.

Boasting superior bowlers and more technically-gifted batsmen, England should hold too many aces for the Kiwis, who have danger men in Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram, but very little strength in depth.

England’s bowling attack will probably comprise Ryan Sidebottom, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson, along with spinner Monty Panesar, but the selectors may opt for Matthew Hoggard in place of Monty should they think the pitch will suit the seamers.

This would be a huge mistake. History has proved spinners have a big part to play, even on pitches offering them little help, as the variation they bring to the game can disrupt a batsman’s rhythm and concentration, leading to mistakes which other bowlers can capitalise on.

Anderson, boasting two five-wicket hauls at Lord’s in recent seasons and in great form for Lancashire, could be the value to be top England bowler at 5-2, but leave your bet late as Hoggard could yet make a late bid to replace him.

Kevin Pietersen, understandably, is 100-30 to be top England batsman, ahead of Alastair Cook (4-1), Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan and Ian Bell (5-1) and Paul Collingwood (7-1).

Of these, Strauss – playing on his home ground and with a fine Test record at Lord’s – could be the value to come out on top.

As for the Kiwis, the most impressive batsman on the tour so far has been Aaron Redmond.

Aaron who? Well, yes, I admit I had not heard of him before last weekend, but knocks of 146 and 64 against England Lions at the Rose Bowl have surely clinched his Test place and 11-2 is a decent price about him topping the Kiwi scoring charts.


     

THE Tartan Army descended on Manchester today in readiness for tonight’s Uefa Cup final between Rangers and Zenit Petersburg.

The Glasgow club are sure to enjoy a huge vocal advantage from their followers, but it’s the Russian team – conquerors of mighty Bayern Munich in the semi-finals – who are the bookies’ favourites at 5-4 to win this game in 90 minutes.

Rangers are 27-10. with the draw at 9-4, while the Scottish team are 11-8 to lift the trophy, whether that be in 90 minutes, after extra-time or on penalties.


     

SATURDAY’S FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff may be a low-key encounter this year, but the participation of two unfancied teams is a breath of fresh air in my book.

However, none of the odds quoted on this game make any appeal. Pompey are 4-5 to win in 90 minutes, with the draw at 5-2 and Cardiff 4-1 outsiders.
     

RECOMMENDATIONS: Andrew Strauss to be top England batsman in first Test, 5-1 (general); Aaron Redmond to be top NZ batsman, 11-2 (general).

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