While India’s bowlers deserve plenty of credit for their performances on tour, it’s clear that England’s batting is in some disarray right now. Indian batsmen have also played their part and they have shown their opponents how it’s done while taking a 2-1 lead in the current test series.
England’s selectors are left with serious concerns ahead of the big test at the end of the year. The Ashes is looming and, with only Joe Root really certain of his place, there are big questions ahead.
Ashes Itinerary
There is scope for postponements but the next Ashes series is set to go off in Australia later this year and it will cross over into 2022. Five tests are planned, beginning in December and finishing at the end of January.
It’s a tight schedule and Ashes holders Australia will go into the series as clear favourites. With home advantage helping Tim Paine’s men, those Indian sports betting sites affiliated with asiabet.org have the Aussies in the clear.
A fightback in the final test against India and a good performance at the World T20 might see England’s odds shorten but it’s almost certain that Joe Root’s men will start as the outside bet.
Asiabet’s panel of sportsbooks will continue to monitor and update those markets in the run up to the Ashes. Readers can also take on board a series of news and opinion articles relating to the Australia v England series and on cricket in general. If they’d like to take things a stage further, those betting sites are open to new registrations and many have exceptional welcome offers in place.
Once on board, those sportsbooks have a choice of funding options and ways to get in touch with customer services while some will even let you live stream test match cricket.
England fans may be nervous about watching the upcoming Ashes series but could any of these batsmen turn the tourists into a stronger batting unit?
Joe Clarke: Nottinghamshire
During his time with Worcestershire, Joe Clarke was talked of as a future England batsmen and it’s likely that he would have already featured in international squads had it not been for issues off the pitch.
Clarke hasn’t enjoyed the best red ball season but he has scored heavily in the Big Bash for Notts Outlaws. Over his first class career, his average has dipped below 38 but the quality is there and he wouldn’t be the first player to respond and boost those numbers following an international call up.
Ben Duckett: Nottinghamshire
Clarke’s county teammate Ben Duckett has experience at international level but the left hander was discarded by England after just four tests. He was, however, called up to the emergency ODI squad following a Covid outbreak among the original selections.
Duckett has enjoyed a better season, averaging over 40 and was one of the leading run scorers in the Hundred tournament.
Tom Abell: Somerset
Somerset’s Tom Abell produced a mature performance as his team chased down a sizeable total in their T20 Blast quarter final. It’s tough to assess how a batsman would perform in the test arena based on his limited overs form but Abell looks to have a calm and mature approach and he’s enjoyed a decent first class season.
Coming into the final round of matches, the 27 year old is averaging a shade under 50 with a best of 132.
Harry Brook: Yorkshire
Yorkshire’s Harry Brook was, at one stage, the leading run scorer in the T20 Blast and many commentators feel that he has the right technique for any form of cricket.
He’s enjoyed a good first class county season with two hundreds and an average of over 42 but, at the age of 22, he’s the youngest player on this list by far.
Keaton Jennings: Lancashire
Whisper it quietly but discarded England batsman Keaton Jennings is enjoying a strong first class season with two centuries and an average in excess of 48.
He’s seen as a player who can excel in spin-friendly conditions but would struggle on the seaming pitches of Australia. England have, however, persevered with the tall left hander in the past so could be get one last chance in the 2021/22 Ashes?
