16th August 2012
England vs South Africa 3rd Test Betting: Matt Prior can impress once again in the final match of the series
For the second time in the space of six months England find themselves having to win a test match to preserve their number one status in the ICC test rankings. One the previous occasion they won the final test in Sri Lanka but the build up to this test has been dominated by anything but cricket. Social media, text messages, IPL, press releases and all sorts. You name it, it has been the focus building up to this final test.
Rather than the focus in the run up to this match be about what has the makings of being a fantastic final test of what has been a good series despite its criminally short length, it has been all about Kevin Pietersen. He has been dropped for this test match despite saving England with a fantastic 149 at Headingley. He has been dropped for sending text messages to the South African players and abusing trust within the England side.
Despite the ongoing Kevin Pietersen saga there will be a test match at Lords on Thursday which decides the series. South Africa go into the final test knowing that if they avoid defeat they will be the number one test side in the world. England have to win to deny them that honour and they are 11/4 with Betfred to do just that.
England have brought Jonny Bairstow back into their squad for the axed Pietersen. Graham Onions has also been called up to give the England selectors some options for this final test match. Graeme Swann is expected to be recalled having been left out at Headingley while South Africa are widely expected to be unchanged in a match in which Graeme Smith will become the captain of the most test matches of all time.
As far as bets go it is hard to get involved in the match betting because of the potential extremes of what each side need to do to get what they want. England may have to throw caution to the wind while South Africa just need to drop anchor. This is Andrew Strauss’ 100th test match and I was hoping to find a bet which involved him as players generally go well in their 100th test but I couldn’t find one.
Instead one bet I do like, as I did in the last test at Headingley, is Matt Prior to score more than 91pts. In the previous test Prior served us well when he scored 120pts chasing a target of 88pts. In the first test he scored 100pts so he has covered this 91pt target in both matches in the series. Prior averages 55.16 with the bat at Lords so this is a ground he goes well at and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets the required 91pts all with the bat. I’m pretty certain he will get catches coming in way as keepers do at Lords so I think the 91pts is well within his range.
Back M.Prior’s performance points – 91 or over for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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Author: 'Arry Allsports
