Jimmy’s head and shoulders above the rest

Sports betting: 

THE knives were out for Alastair Cook after England failed by one wicket to dismiss Sri Lanka and clinch victory in the first Test at Lord’s.

On TV Shane Warne and others believed Cook should have declared England’s second innings late on day four, subjecting Sri Lanka’s top order to nine or 10 overs and enhancing England’s chances of bowling out the tourists.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but the way the game panned out suggests the critics were right.

To maximise your chance of winning a test match you sometimes have to dangle a carrot.

Australia captain Michael Clarke has shown a willingness to do so, but Cook seems to me to be a skipper whose motto is win if you can, but make sure you don’t lose.

Cook’s tactics are something he needs to work on, starting in the decisive second Test at Headingley on Friday.

This is a game England ought to win and an even-money quote on that is fair. The draw is a 23-10 shot, with Sri Lanka 4-1 to come out on top.

My betting interest will centre on Jimmy Anderson, who looked fresh and sharp during the second innings of the first Test and can build on that at Headingley. He is 9-4 to be England’s most successful bowler.



CAN Andy Murray raise the roof of the centre court by winning the Wimbledon title for a second year?

The bookies think he has every chance, quoting him second favourite at 4-1 behind Novak Djokovic, with Rafael Nadal 11-2 and Roger Federer 6-1.

As for the women, Serena Williams is the 6-4 favourite, followed by Maria Sharapova at 11-2. After that, it’s 14-1 and more the rest. Roll on Monday.



RECOMMENDATION: James Anderson to be leading England wicket-taker in second Test, 9-4 (general).