Huge Test for England
England's collapse for 51 all out in the second innings of the first test shocked many, not least the Sporting Index traders who before the first test got underway in Jamaica made England supremacy favourites. Needless to say both punters and traders were kept very busy with the in-play markets. Buyers of Jerome Taylor's bowling performance market are probably still celebrating – an incredible second innings spell of 5 wickets for 11 runs took his bowling performance make-up to 105.
The next test takes the tourists to the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The stadium was built for the 2007 World Cup so England have not competed here in a test match, but have played twice in the 50-over format and buyers of West Indies supremacy will be glad that England lost both matches. The only test match to be played here was between the West Indies and Australia and finished in a draw.
Sellers of the supremacy spread, buyers of England's win index and indeed any spread bettor who believes Strauss's men can still triumph in the series overall will certainly be interested to know how England have bounced back after defeats against West Indies in the past. In the last ten years (before last week) England have only suffered defeat at the hands of the Windies once, but the similarities to the most recent defeat are curious. The previous loss, at Edgbaston in June 2000, was also the first match of the series and was also won by an innings. However, to the relief of buyers of the series win index for England, that series nine years ago was marked by England's positive response. After some impressive bowling from Caddick and co, the West Indies were bowled out for 54 in the second innings of the second test, culminating in an England win by two wickets. England did not falter again in the series, winning 3-1 overall. Those spread buyers of West Indies in the Sporting Index series win index might not be so happy come March 10th should history repeat itself.
The West Indies series spread has obviously gone up since the first test, but a look at how the Windies have reacted to their relatively few test wins of late may affect certain spread punters' buying and selling decisions. Since 2004, they have only won four tests in total and the opening test of a series twice - in 2007 against South Africa, and in 2005 against Pakistan. The series against Pakistan was just two matches – Pakistan won the next to tie the series. The South Africans won the second and third games of their series (the third by an innings and 100 runs) to convincingly win overall. Buyers and sellers of any spread favouring England will take encouragement from these details – perhaps someone should point them out to Andrew Strauss.
Bill Esdaile of Square in the Air Communications, a former sports trader, spread betting specialist and self confessed stats addict, casts his eye over this weekend's sport and shares his views on some of the trades available. Please note these are his views and are not the views of Sporting Index.
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