England’s summer of cricket begins on Thursday when they face Sri Lanka in the first of three Test Matches to take place throughout May and June. The teams head to Cardiff for what should be an entertaining encounter between two of the best Test sides in the world.
Many bookmaker have England at odds-on to draw first blood, although Paddy Power are prepared to stand 21/20 that Andrew Strauss’ team take a 1-0 series lead, with a chief concern being whether the weather will allow either side to be bowled out twice during the course of the match.
The selectors have plumped for Eoin Morgan to replace the retired Paul Collingwood in the middle order and the Middlesex batsman was highly impressive last summer against Pakistan. He can be backed at 9/1 (Ladbrokes) to score the most 1st innings runs, although the home team will hope they have reached a point of declaration by the time Morgan takes to the crease.
The Sri Lankans look to be in decent nick after recently beating the England Lions and the tourists are a chunky 11/2 with Boylesports to claim victory in Cardiff, with the draw on offer at 7/4 with Sportingbet.
Tillakaratne Dilshan looks to be in good form with the bat and he’s available at 4/1 with Blue Square to score the most runs for his team, with Kumar Sangakkara the marginal favourite with most firms at odds of 7/2.