Well the ODI's are over and my thoughts are the same as last weeks (cricket archive).
England lost the NatWest series by 2-1 but I think it goes a bit deeper then that. Never has a correct toss call been so important as the one at Headingly where Australia batted in the dark before England had the best of the conditions to knock the total off for the loss of 1 wicket. The praise rolled in as England beat the World Champions and we were sure to take the series and then the ashes........the next 2 games showed how dangerous and destructive Australia are as they dominated both games crippling England's top order on both occasions before knocking the runs of with no fuss.
The advantage is clearly with them now and there batsman and bowlers are finding form at the right time and I am even more confident in my current bets for the series. Tresco is going to struggle to find 400 runs in the series and I still can't see England taking the ashes. Ponting is finding form which is a worry but I'll stick to my bet as ODI's is not Vaughan's game so I'll keep it alive but check again after the first test.
2 new bets I have found is McGrath v Harmison + 2.5 wickets. McGrath is the best new ball bowler in the world in my eyes and is always guaranteed to pick up wickets, wouldn't be surprised if he ends up top wicket taker this summer and I'm happy for him to give up this handicap against a bowler who I'm not sure the Aussie's rate and fancy them to take him on. A bet of just under evens is something I am also going to dabble on.
My second new bet is laying Giles as top England wicket taker, 7.4 is not a bargain I know but it's never going to happen, grounds man are not going to be making spinner friendly wickets when Warne is in town and I think he'll be used as mainly a defensive bowler so take this price on.
CalvStar