England v Pakistan 3rd ODI tips: Woakes odds worth a wager as best bowler again

Third man in Joe Root has averaged 77 runs per innings during his last four One Day games in a England shirt, and no other batsman can match that consistency at the crease this summer.

We therefore have no hesitation in tipping Root to be best with the bat again en route to an England victory in an enhanced wincast of 9/2.

Punters who may have backed Root in similar markets when Sri Lanka took on England at Trent Bridge earlier this summer may have felt short-changed, because he was out for just two runs when last seen in ODI action on this ground. You must be prepared to forgive that blip.

If, instead, you believe that playing on a home ground stirs a player’s blood, then Nottinghamshire’s own opener Alex Hales is a fine 5/1 wincast alternative to Root.

Chris Woakes to be best England bowler

Broad and Anderson may be absent, but there’s still pace in the home attack courtesy of Warwickshire’s Woakes.

He’s had the best economy of England bowlers in three of the last five One Day Internationals, and the lowest average in this form of cricket over the summer, giving away just 4.76 runs per over.

What also appeals about backing Woakes besides his brilliant form, and figures of 3-42 last time out, is he was joint best with the ball when England previously played an ODI on this ground.

David Willey, who also took 2-56 in the last One Day match at Trent Bridge, may not be risked, so side with Chris Woakes odds of 7/2 to be top England bowler once more.

Babar Azam to be best Pakistan batsman

Young Azam is batting at number four for the tourists and is showing the sort of consistency at the crease that his elders and betters should be producing based on his first two ODI displays.

There are others who have recorded bigger scores, Sarfraz Ahmed (9/2) for one, but no other Pakistan batsman has an average strike rate of better than 90 besides Babar. He is thus worth a punt to be top dog at the crease with Azam an attractive 5/1 price.

Mohammad Amir to be best Pakistan bowler

Although he’s yet to shine in this One Day series so far, fast left-arm bowler Amir should find Trent Bridge to his liking.

With 32 ODI wickets from 20 international outings and an economy average of 4.42 runs in this form of cricket, Amir is more attractive at 11/4 than taking longer odds for other, less consistent members of the Pakistan attack such as Wahab Riaz and Yashir Shah (both 3/1 alternatives).

Related

You’ll find complete betting coverage of Pakistan’s summer tour of England on the Coral cricket page.