Former England captain, Alec Stewart, expects the West
Indies to struggle in seam-friendly conditions at Trent Bridge, and believes that
the hosts are firm favourites to wrap up the series.
England began their international summer with a five-wicket
victory over the Windies at Lord’s, though they were pushed all the way by the
resolute tourists.
The West Indies were below par on the opening two days of the
Test, but improved as the match wore on. They dug deep with bat in hand and
looked threatening with the ball, particularly quick bowler, Kemar Roach.
Despite an impressive first Test showing, Stewart reckons
the Windies will struggle to live with England, in Nottingham. The bookies
share Stewart’s belief – England are the current favourites to triumph in the Betfair Cricket tips.
"I expect England to be stronger at Trent Bridge, where
they have won their last three Test matches - against India, Pakistan and New
Zealand - by massive margins", he told BBC Sport.
"The West Indies will find the going in Nottingham even
tougher than they did at Lord's because the ground is renowned as a swing
bowler's paradise and, in James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Tim Bresnan,
England have three of the best in the business."
England’s biggest problem will again be finding a way to
remove the obdurate Shivnarine Chanderpaul, according to Stewart.
Chanderpaul has long been a thorn in England’s side, and
scored 178 across both innings in a losing cause in the first Test, losing his
wicket just once.
"I still believe the best bet is to bowl full and
straight at him. He is a prime candidate for leg-before, as he hangs back and
plays from the crease line", added Stewart.
"It does mean potentially giving away a few runs
through mid-wicket or square leg, but as he batted for more than 10 hours at
Lord's for just once out, I would suggest it's worth a go."
Get betting advice from somebody who knows what he is
talking about; visit the Michael Vaughan tips page on Betfair.
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