England vs Sri Lanka betting

ENGLAND versus Sri Lanka betting this summer promises to be divided along Test and one-day fixtures.

However, without the legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in their ranks, do the Sri Lankans have the guile to take 20 English Test wickets? Indeed, with the fixtures taking place in the early part of the 2011 summer, most tips are predicting that England will continue their impressive recent Test match record.

The hosts have racked up a series of impressive recent Test results, winning the Ashes in Australia was one of the career highlights, and they are on the rise in the ICC standings. But cricket betting is anything but predictable and recent falls from grace highlights how inconsistent they can be. It follows that England v Sri Lanka betting will have added appeal, especially to the UK predictor, should injuries continue to mount, particularly in the pace bowling ranks.

England have a history of winning home series, and the odds currently available at most online bookmakers, including those offering free bets for punters opening new accounts, reflect their recent domination. Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower have the team playing an attacking brand of Test match cricket. And winning, a crucial factor for those engaged in any form of cricket betting.

Cardiff, Lord's and the Rose Bowl in Hampshire are the venues for the three Test matches and it appears inevitable that most England vs Sri Lanka betting will be on the home side to emerge victorious in at least two of the Tests.

As one cricket writer said: "England have won in Sri Lanka in recent years and after their Ashes heroics, and upsetting the ICC World Twenty20 betting odds by winning in the West Indies in 2010, there is a spring in the step of every cricket fan going into the summer of 2011. England can rack up a score against any attack in the world, and the majority of England vs Sri Lanka bets are presently back the hosts to win another Test series.

"Predictions of a clean sweep might be too frothy, even for punters utilising a free bet from an online bookmaker, but an England vs Sri Lanka bet on a home Test win has obvious appeal.

"Of course, afterwards, we then have the small matter of T20 betting when the teams meet at Bristol on June 25. One of the highlights of last year was the way England went through to their first semi-final in an ICC event in years and then trashed Australia in the final. The odds on that happening before the tournament would have been mighty long. England upset the ICC World Twenty20 betting markets - big time. This time, it would shock few predictors were they to overhaul Sri Lanka.

"Nevertheless, England vs Sri Lanka betting in the one-day series may take account of the visitor’s determination and prowess in this form of the game. Results ODI in Australia were a disaster, but there's no doubt England were on the tips of their heels after the Test series. Accordingly, plenty of customers will be scouring the internet to unearth online England vs Sri Lanka betting value, and with the majority of the one-day matches being played in the north, there is going to be a strong home support, and softer, lower pitches to test the Sri Lankans, which again should be factored into the reckoning when making England vs Sri Lanka bets.

"England will be back in Sri Lanka in the coming months, and that's when their place in the standings will come under most threat. Tips on a home series win in 2012, with two Tests and three one-day internationals will appeal in England vs Sri Lanka betting markets, but you never know, maybe 2012 could be Andrew Strauss' year again?

"Cricket betting offers huge scope and a variety of different markets. England v Sri Lanka betting highlights are likely to include reference to which player will emerge as the highest run-scorer and who will take most wickets.

"Online England vs Sri Lanka betting will have added appeal because of the amount of in-play bets available during the course of a match, be it a Test or one-day international.

"Tips on England v Sri Lanka betting? Look for Kevin Pietersen or Ian Bell to emerge as leading run-scorer, and take advantage of the live England vs Sri Lanka betting markets as they emerge. A cool day early in an English summer can do strange things to a batting line-up, and England v Sri Lanka betting odds could change mightily quickly.

"The whole series offers great value and is at the start of a great summer of cricket. The nation has grown weary of the football team's continued failure, England vs Sri Lanka betting could be the perfect tonic."

England vs Sri Lanka 2011 betting dates:

May 26-30 - 1st Test, Cardiff
June 3-7 - 2nd Test, Lord's
June 16-20 - 3rd Test, The Rose Bowl
June 25 - Twenty20 international, Bristol
June 28 - 1st ODI, The Oval
July 1 - 2nd ODI, Headingley
July 3 - 3rd ODI, Chester-le-Street
July 6 - 4th ODI, Trent Bridge
July 9 - 5th ODI, Old Trafford