Will Warner or Bell be Best Batsman in the Fourth Ashes Test?

When he walked out to bat against Australia in the third Ashes encounter Ian Bell knew it could be his last Test. The out of form 33 year old who’s been one of England’s best batsman in the past decade had struggled against Australia in the opening 2 matches and was perhaps fortunate to be picked for his home Test. Pushed up the order Bell was hoping to up his run tally and unfortunately for Australia… He did. Bell blasted a near run a ball half century in England’s opening innings before eventually falling for 53 off 56 deliveries. But better was to come, Bell top scored in his side’s second innings finishing unbeaten on 65 as the hosts cruised to victory.

Will Warner and Bell be Batsman?

If you think Bell’s back Ladbrokes have an offer on him for the fourth Test beginning on Thursday. The bookmaker is offering enhanced odds of $15 for Bell to be the best English batsman in the opening innings and for England to win the match. If you take the bet, you’ll need Ian Bell to top score in England’s first innings and the hosts to win the Test.

Ok enough about Bell, what about our Aussies? Well Ladbrokes have a similar special on Dynamite Dave Warner. They’re offering $8 on the opener to top score for his team in the first innings and Australia to win. Again if you punt on this promotion Warner will need to be Australia’s highest runscorer in their opening innings and the Aussies must claim victory at Trent Bridge.

Warner Worth a Punt

Dave Warner was Australia’s best batsman in the second innings at Edgbaston, thumping 77 off 62 balls. The knock perhaps continued an unwanted pattern of producing solid second stint scores without a big opening innings performance. Warner’s other second up efforts have been 83 and 52 while his first innings scores have only been 17, 38 and 2. With runs on the board, Warner will continue to back himself and if he can get off to a good start in the next Test it may just be Advantage Australia.