West Indies v England 1st T20 Betting Tips & Predictions -


Betting Tips

West Indies v England 1st T20 Betting Tips & Predictions

England must dust themselves down from a One Day International series that hammered home a few truths that exist regarding the frailties of the team. The tour of the West Indies moves into the Twenty20 format with the opener taking place on Tuesday 5 March. Here are our top West Indies v England 1st T20 Betting Tips.

Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet provides the backdrop and fans following the play back home can keep tabs on the action from 8.00pm live on Sky Sports. A later than normal start time for cricket lovers but the fast and furious style of play will ensure we’re done in good time for bed. A perfect way to round-up what promises to be an entertaining day of major sport.

As always, bookmakers have done their bit to help boost your interest in the fixture with traders pricing up a number of eye-catching markets. Have your say on the winner of the 1st T20 match – the prices are far more competitive than we expected to find – or play one of the many specials drawn up, such as top England batsman, top England bowler, top West Indies run scorer and top West Indies wicket taker. If you’re looking to get off to a winning start, there’s even the option to bet on the winner of the coin toss.

Those looking a little further ahead can grab the value by punting on the many series outright markets. Windies are favourites to win the Twenty20 series at 8/11 and although that’s tight, it’s difficult to build a strong case against. Patriotic players can have their stake money down on England roaring back to make a point at a handy 11/10.

Windies Grab Late Draw

England stuttered to a disappointing draw with West Indies in a five-match One Day International series that was reduced to four legs due to bad weather. That share came despite the tourists making a record-breaking start to smash their way to an early lead, edging 1-0 thanks to a 364-4 (48.4) against 360-8 of Windies. To get the win England had to cover their biggest ever ODI deficit, but they oozed class in doing so.

The hosts put up some big numbers in defeat but were confident a similar strong showing in the second would’ve been enough to get them level and they were right, battling to a 26-run success on the second day of play. The 3rd ODI was called a draw with rainfall causing the match to be abandoned before a ball had been bowled.

With the series sitting level at 1-1 and two games still to be played the draw became a possibility and that’s exactly what we got. England won the fourth day of play by 29 runs, showing just what they are capable of when in the mood, but fell back into old habits when losing the fifth and final leg. West Indies grabbed a late draw with a seven wickets success. It was a poor showing from both, the beaten side putting up 113 all out (28.1) which was bettered by 115-3 (12.1).

Critics Rage

England’s critics burst out of the woodwork to have their say on the result and although a draw wasn’t the worst outcome, it was far from ideal. The manner in which they lost the last ODI, and the performance that day, couldn’t escape criticism with 113 all out abysmal. The players will know it and will look to respond moving into the T20 series.

It wasn’t the defeat, but the fact England were so good in the opener when scoring 364 and the same team managed just 113 less than two weeks later that left coaches and fans scratching their head. England are capable of playing sublime cricket but there’s always the danger of them throwing in a stinker. Consistency is key as we shuttle towards an important summer.

If they play to the best of their abilities there’s no question, they have more than enough in their locker to win this year’s World Cup in front of their own fans and bookmakers agree. Punters looking to act early and place their bets on an England World Cup win will find the hosts chalked up on the betting board at 5/2 (Bet365). There’s no more than Unibet’s 8/11 on them reaching the final and that bet will be paid out as a winner regardless of how they get on in the decider.

Another Strong Start

Returning to more pressing matters and the betting for the 1st T20 makes for very interesting reading indeed. West Indies are favourites to get off to a winning start, which is perfectly understandable, but they aren’t as strong as you might expect, meaning there’s plenty of value to be had if picking sides in Tuesday’s all-important opener.

Will we see West Indies stick the boot into an opponent dangerously low on morale and unsure where they go from here, or will we see England’s fighting spirit return with the team putting in the kind of winning performance we know they are capable of? Traders at Bet365 have the locals as 4/6 jolly and, if backing that, it looks a bet best added to your accumulators. We are going to continue our tactic of shooting for the value, however, and will go for the bigger price of the two.

England made a storming start to the ODI series, playing the best cricket we’ve seen from them in a long time and with the pressure building following defeat last time out, there’s every reason to expect another effort from the top drawer. We say back England to get off to a winning start at 6/5, best price when taking advantage of the generosity that exists at bet365. Be careful who you trust if getting involved in that one as most firms give only 11/10 or even money on the same bet. Turning a profit from sports betting is difficult enough without taking less of a price on your selection in a tight market. That makes a punt on England with bet365 the sensible option.

Our Tip: England to win – 6/5 at Bet365