England vs Pakistan Third Test: Betting Tips & Prediction

England will look to complete a 3-0 series whitewash when they face Pakistan in the third and final Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham from Wednesday.

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The hosts have dominated the series so far, winning the opening Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs before cruising to a 194-run victory at Lord’s to secure the series with a match to spare.

Pakistan, meanwhile, arrive in Birmingham in turmoil. Seven players have been sent home following the Lord’s defeat, five uncapped players have joined the squad and Mike Hesson has taken over as interim Test coach. With England chasing a clean sweep and Pakistan desperately searching for a response, the final Test promises to be another fascinating examination of the tourists.

Betting Preview

England have given punters very little reason to oppose them in this series.

Pakistan have simply been unable to cope with the hosts’ pace attack or the challenges presented by English conditions. Their four completed innings have produced totals of just 171, 135, 110 and 194, with their batters repeatedly struggling against the Dukes ball.

England’s seamers have taken full advantage.

Ollie Robinson has been the standout performer, claiming 16 wickets against Pakistan at an average of just 7.18, while Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue have ensured there has been virtually no respite.

The only complication for England is selection.

With the series already secured and white-ball matches against Sri Lanka beginning shortly after the Test, England could rotate their attack. Archer, Atkinson and Tongue are all part of the upcoming white-ball squads, while Sonny Baker, Sam Cook and Shoaib Bashir provide alternatives.

Even significant rotation, however, may not be enough to make Pakistan attractive.

The tourists have reacted dramatically to their first two defeats. Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar, Ali Usman and Khurram Shahzad have all left the squad, while Saim Ayub returns and several inexperienced players have been called up.

That creates enormous uncertainty around Pakistan’s XI.

There are at least some reasons to expect a more competitive batting contest at Edgbaston. The Birmingham surface has historically been better for batting than those encountered earlier in this series, and last summer’s Test against India produced first-innings totals of 587 and 407.

Pakistan therefore have an opportunity to finally post a competitive total.

However, asking a heavily changed side to suddenly bridge the enormous gap between the teams looks optimistic. England have been superior with both bat and ball and should be strongly fancied to finish their Test summer with another convincing victory.

Statistics

• Pakistan have posted totals of just 171, 135, 110 and 194 across their four innings in the series.
  
• Pakistan are therefore averaging only 152.5 runs per innings.
  
• Ollie Robinson has taken 16 wickets in the series at an average of just 7.18.
  
• Mohammad Abbas has been Pakistan’s standout bowler, taking 10 wickets, including nine in the second Test at Lord’s.
  
• Pakistan have made seven changes to their touring squad ahead of the final Test.
  
• Saim Ayub has been recalled and could return at the top of the order.
  
• England have named a 15-man squad, with Sonny Baker retained and Matthew Fisher dropping out.
  
• Harry Brook has an outstanding Test record against Pakistan, averaging 75.46 across eight matches.
  
• Three of the last four Tests at Edgbaston have been won by the team batting second.

Betting Tips & Prediction

Prediction: England to win at 1.24.

Best Bet: Harry Brook to score over 35.5 total 1st innings runs at 1.80.

Alternative Bet: Team with top batter – England at 1.30.