Odds suggest another epic between England and New Zealand in T20
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England and New Zealand produced one of the greatest ever ODI series, as the hosts ran out 3-2 winners in the final match, and now ready themselves for a one-off Twenty20 clash at Old Trafford.
As a result of their close 50-over war, that produced the highest aggregate amount of runs, Coral can’t separate them in the odds, as they are both priced at 10/11 for victory.
The unlikely hero of the fifth and final ODI in Chester-le-Street was Yorkshire wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow, who only stood in at the last moment due to an injury to Jos Buttler.
Lancashire’s Buttler is missing again from the set-up, as he battles to get fit for the Ashes, which England are 7/2 to win, so Bairstow will be aiming to replicate his fine match-winning hit of 83 after those before him in the order failed.
You can back Bairstow, who reached his unbeaten total from just 60 balls, at 8/1 to be best batsman again for the hosts.
Alex Hales and Jason Roy, meanwhile, will likely be kept at the top of the order, and the former is the subject of a Coral enhanced wincast. Hales has odds of 7/1 (max stake £20) to be top England batsman and his side win.
Rising star Joe Root and captain Eoin Morgan, who both hit hundreds in the ODI series, are likely to be the main threats for the hosts, and are both priced at 13/2 to get the most runs of the match.
In the bowling department, meanwhile, Essex seamer Reece Topley might get the chance to earn his first international cap, after impressing in the T20 Blast this season. The 21-year-old is a 7/2 shout to be best England bowler.
Yorkshire’s Adil Rashid will be hoping to use this match as a last chance to try and edge his way into the Ashes squad, and the leg-spinning all-rounder is 10/3 in the same market.
For New Zealand, they will have an experienced and strong-looking line-up again, with super smasher skipper Brendon McCullum set to lead the line. He is 11/4 to be best Black Caps batsman.
Other decent shouts in that market include Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill, who are respective 7/2 and 10/3 chances.
Bowler Tim Southee is one of the best in the business in all forms of the game, and is a tempting 3/1 to be best with the ball for the visitors.
