Pakistan for ODI rout

SPORTS BETTING:

HORSE racing apart, cricket is my major sporting passion.

I have been lucky enough to watch the England cricket team on four continents and when they lose, I suffer.

So it was with total depression that I watched their abject attempts to counter the spin threat of the Pakistan team, headed by Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman.

England have the chance to right some wrongs in the forthcoming one-day series, but I expect more misery.

There are four ODIs, starting in Abu Dhabi on Monday, and I simply can’t envisage an England win in any of them.

With the talismanic Shahid Afridi back in the fold, Pakistan’s spin attack will be even stronger and our batsman won’t be able to cope.

Given my allegiance to the England team, I don’t tip against them lightly.

But I did in the last Test and am going to do so once again. Get on Pakistan to win 4-0.



WALES were selected at 3-1 to win rugby union’s 6 Nations title and they are now down to 7-4 after their thrilling win in Ireland.

France remain favourites at 6-4, England are 5-1, Ireland 10s, Scotland 100-1 and Italy 750-1. I reckon we are sitting pretty with our bet.



RONNIE O’Sullivan finally bounced back to winning form when winning the German Masters at the weekend and ‘The Rocket’ is back into 8-1 to win the World Championship in the spring.

Young sensation Judd Trump has been cut to 11-2 favourite, with reigning champion John Higgins 15-2.

Mark Selby is the same price as O’Sullivan, then it’s 9-1 Neil Robertson and 12s Ding Junhui and Mark Williams.



MANCHESTER United’s amazing comeback against Chelsea at the weekend has cut little ice with the bookies who keep them around the 15-8 mark to win the Premier League title.

City remain hot favourites at 4-7, then it’s 22-1 Tottenham.



THE Oscars are just around the corner, but trying to second guess the Academy is never an easy task so even though Meryl Street produced a winning performance if ever I saw one in portraying Margaret Thatcher in the Iron Lady, I won’t be rushing out to back her at even money to be Best Actress.




RECOMMENDATION: Pakistan to beat England 4-0 in ODI series, 6-1 (Blue Square, Paddy Power).