Free cricket betting tips: England close in on series victory with Tom Curran set to strike
Our cricket expert Richard Mann thinks England can wrap up the series in the fourth ODI against New Zealand with seamer Tom Curran set to star.
Recommended bets: New Zealand v England 4th ODI
1pt Tom Curran top England bowler at 9/2
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
England will bid to wrap up the current ODI series when facing New Zealand in the fourth game in Dunedin on Tuesday night.
The visitors hold a 2-1 lead in the five-match series having secured a thrilling four-run victory in Wellington on Saturday, despite a magnificent hundred from New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.
England had looked in some trouble when only posting 234, skipper Eoin Morgan top scoring with 48, and they were staring down the barrel when the hosts were going well at 80-1.
However, as has become a trait of this current England ODI side, they clawed their way back into the game with a burst of quick wickets before holding their nerve when Williamson and Mitchell Santner were seemingly closing in on victory.
Some brilliant death bowling from Tom Curran and Chris Woakes saw the visitors over the line and it is that ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat that makes Eoin Morgan’s side such a tough nut to crack in this form of the game.
They are probably a touch of value at 8/13 for Tuesday’s game but given a strong outright bet was recommended in the series preview here, we are in a healthy position now and don’t need to go in on England again.
New Zealand are expected to welcome back Ross Taylor for this game and he will be a big boost to a batting line up that looked short on quality and experience on Saturday.
His 113 in the first game in Hamilton was an innings of real quality and he is 7/2 with Sky Bet to top score for the home side again.
However, there looks to be better value in the top England bowler market with Curran making plenty of appeal at 9/2.
Curran’s figures so far in the series are nothing to write home about but he has bowled much better than the pure numbers would suggest and it seems significant that Morgan continues to intrust him in the key death overs.
A wholehearted cricketer with a terrific change of pace, his brilliant 49th over on Saturday only went for seven runs - ultimately proving the deciding factor in the game - and it is surely only a matter of time before he gets the haul of wickets his excellent efforts deserve.
Curran claimed 5-35 to bowl England to victory against Australia in Perth back in January and he looks worth supporting to get back amongst the wickets again.
Posted at 1215 GMT on 05/03/18