Cricket betting tips: Best bets for England vs Pakistan and Australia vs Bangladesh Tests
The World Test Championship continues this week, with England hosting Pakistan in the first Test at Headingley before Australia look to bounce back against Bangladesh in Mackay.
Here, Sports News Blitz cricket betting expert Himanshu Sharma breaks down the best bets, value plays, and key betting angles ahead of this week’s Test matches.
England vs Pakistan, first Test
Date and time: Wednesday, August 19 at 11:00 am BST
Venue: Headingley, Leeds
England begin their three-Test series against Pakistan at Headingley, with the hosts looking to bounce back after a disappointing series defeat to New Zealand in June.
The return of Joe Root as Test captain adds another layer of intrigue, but from a betting perspective, the spotlight is on England’s pace attack and the conditions in Leeds.
England head into the game as 1.30 favourites, with Pakistan available at 3.30.
Headingley’s traditionally pace-friendly conditions could further suit the England quicks, while the weather could be a key betting factor.
Persistent cloud and rain could create favourable conditions for seam and swing bowling.
Unlike the run-fests seen at the venue recently, the overhead conditions could make batting considerably tougher this time around.
Jofra Archer looks like the standout betting angle and to make an impact in the game.
He took 11 wickets at an average of 22.81 in the two Tests against New Zealand.
Archer also has a strong record at this venue, having taken 8/85 against Australia in his only previous Test at Headingley.
READ MORE: Cricket betting tips: Best bets for Australia vs Bangladesh and Sri Lanka vs India Tests
Australia vs Bangladesh, second Test
Date and time: Saturday, August 22 at 1:00 am BST
Venue: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
Australia head to Mackay for the second Test against Bangladesh looking to bounce back from a stunning defeat in Darwin.
The hosts were comprehensively outplayed in the opener, but remain heavy favourites at 1.06, with Bangladesh priced at 7.05 to complete another major upset.
The result in Darwin was quite damaging for Australia, and the hosts have responded by dropping opener Jake Weatherald after scores of 23 and 0.
Matthew Renshaw has been brought into the squad as his replacement, potentially giving the batting order a more experienced option at the top.
Bangladesh have a selection dilemma of their own, with Shoriful Islam passing a fitness test and now available for selection after missing the first Test.
However, he may struggle to force his way back into an attack that performed superbly in Darwin.
The second Test will be played at Mackay's Great Barrier Reef Arena, which becomes Australia's 12th men's Test venue.
The ground has limited recent red-ball history at the first-class level.
The most recent first-class match here was in October 2024, which saw Brendan Doggett take 6-15 as Australia A comfortably defeated India A.
The new venue adds an element of uncertainty.
The bigger question is whether the tourists can repeat their bowling performance away from Darwin.
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