Ben can stoke fires

Sport Betting: 

ENGLAND’S cricketers just about managed to hold Australia at bay in Monday’s T20 international.

Tomorrow they embark on the first of five matches in the 50-overs form of the game.

From what I saw of the Australian attack yesterday, pace is going to play a huge part in this series.

Mitchell Starc, and in particular Pat Cummins, had England’s top-order batsmen hopping around.

And, with 10 overs each to bowl rather than the four of the T20, survival and continuing England’s

all-attack policy isn’t going to be easy.

Opening batsman Alex Hales looked all at sea against Cummins before being bowled by a full toss so he is not hard to oppose as favourite at 15-4 to be top home batsman of the series.

Eoin Morgan will be a popular choice with punters at 9-2, but given England’s determination to take risks and press on regardless, I can envisage the middle order batsmen having just as much opportunity to score runs as those higher up.

So I’m prepared to take a chance on Ben Stokes to be top England batsman for the series at 9-1 with Ladbrokes.

I had my doubts about Stokes before this summer – but no longer. In the Botham/Flintoff tradtition, he is a player you can’t keep out of the game, whether playing vital innings, producing telling bowling spells or taking stupendous catches.

He is also a batsman who can handle pace. Anyone who can score a hundred in a Test match in Australia can hack it when confronted with 90mph and more.

I have already selected England at 15-8 to win the five-match series, so let’s top up our bets with a

speculative punt on a genuine matchwinner.

RUGBY Union’s World Cup is just around the corner which is great news for the people of Oldham given George Ford’s selection for the England squad.

It is to be hoped the local lad gets his chance at fly half and, if he is selected in front of Owen Farrell, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility he could be in a World Cup-winning team.

England are only 5-1 to win the tournament, behind favourites New Zealand at 7-5. More on this great event nearer the time.



LEEDS won the Challenge Cup at a canter on Saturday and the bookies expect them to win Super League’s Grand Final under the captaincy of another Oldhamer, Kevin Sinfield.

The Rhinos are only 6-5 to come out on top, ahead of Wigan (9-4), St Helens and Huddersfield (both 11-2).

RECOMMENDATION: Ben Stokes to be top England run scorer in ODI series v Australia, 9-1 (Ladbrokes).