Ian Botham provides his best bets for the third Test at the Oval

Cricket

Thu July 27, 2017 · 7y ago

Sir Ian Botham expects England to bounce back and silence their critics by beating South Africa in the third Investec Test.

Joe Root's side were thrashed in the second Test at Trent Bridge, shortly after they'd got their captain's stint off to an ideal start at Lord's.

Root subsequently engaged in a war of words with Michael Vaughan but with that dispute now ended, Botham expects a focused England side to show what they're made of.

"England were just too bad to be true at Trent Bridge," said the Sky Bet pundit.

"The mark of a good side is how they respond to setbacks and England should show that they are a good side - albeit one with improvements to make - by beating South Africa at 11/10."

Botham expects Root to step up and lead from the front, but it's his predecessor Alastair Cook who gets the vote to top-score for his side at 7/2.

"When England last won a Test here, it was Cook and Root who led the way and I can see something similar despite their roles being reversed.

"Five years ago, when England last played South Africa at the Oval, Cook scored 115 to top-score in the first innings and I fancy him to do something similar."

South Africa look to be at full strength for this crucial Test and it's Hashim Amla who gets Beefy's vote to star for the Proteas.

"Like Cook, Amla was impressive when last playing a Test here - in fact, he scored an unbeaten 311.

"Half a decade later he arrives in great form, top-scoring in both innings at Trent Bridge, so there's no reason to look beyond the 3/1 joint-favourite."

Sky Bet are quoting 33/1 about all three outcomes.