England are looking to complete a Test series victory over Pakistan when the two nations clash at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The first match at Headingley was a demolition job by Joe Root’s new-look outfit, with proceedings concluded before the end of the third day.
Can the visitors make it more of a contest at arguably the most iconic cricket stadium in the world?
The answer to that question and many more will start being answered on Thursday morning, but first up is our full betting online preview for the Second Test, complete with some handy tips and the latest cricket odds from NetBet Sport.
Where can I watch England vs Pakistan in the UK?
England vs Pakistan will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket, with play scheduled to begin at 11am UK time on each day.
England vs Pakistan Preview
What happened in the First Test?
England were utterly ruthless at Headingley, a ground the team has enjoyed plenty of success at in recent times.
In the first Test since Ben Stokes’ much-discussed retirement, the Three Lions blew away Pakistan, bowling out the visitors for 171 in the first innings. Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue each recorded five-wicket hauls.
England’s 409 all-out in response with the bat, tallied in fairly tricky conditions, was very impressive indeed. Harry Brook top scored with 91, falling agonisingly short of a first Headingley hundred.
Pakistan’s second innings was an unmitigated disaster, with Robinson, Tongue, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson combining fantastically to bowl them out for just 135, securing the Test win by an innings & 103 runs.
Team news
It is unlikely England will make any changes to their XI for the Second Test. Jordan Cox performed well at No3 in Jacob Bethell’s absence, while Dan Lawrence looked a decent all-round package coming in at No6. Sam Cook is the primary candidate to come into the side if one of the fast bowlers requires a rest.
From a Pakistan perspective, captain Babar Azam – who is also the team’s best batsman – could return to the team after missing the First Test with a finger injury. It would be a huge pre-match boost, with Azan Awais likely to be the man to drop out. Fast bowler Ubaid Shah is also in contention to feature.
England vs Pakistan Odds
*All odds are subject to change
England are massive favourites to claim the win here, with the Three Lions priced as low as 1.37 in the Match Result market. A victory for Pakistan is at long odds of 7.00, while the draw is 4.40.
England vs Pakistan Betting Tips
England 1st innings top batter – Joe Root @ 3.40
No player in the history of Test cricket has scored more runs at Lord’s than England’s finest, Root. The Yorkshireman has amassed 2,175 of them in 24 matches at a very healthy average of 53.04, hitting eight centuries and seven half-centuries along the way. Root’s numbers speak for themselves, and even if the conditions in London are a little tricky for batting, backing England’s No4 to stand tall feels like a great pre-match betting move to make.
England 1st innings top bowler – Ollie Robinson @ 3.50
Robinson was exceptional at Headingley, displaying an impeccable line and length which Pakistan’s batters simply could not handle. Now the England pacer returns to a ground which he has already tasted success at this summer. Robinson’s comeback Test vs New Zealand back in June saw him take 5-39 in the first innings, including a triple-wicket maiden in his opening over. Last week’s Player of the Match should strike even more fear into the visiting side’s shaky top order at Lord’s.
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