England vs Zimbabwe Betting Tips and Predictions

Our betting expert has three England vs Zimbabwe tips for the first Test of the cricketing summer, which starts on Thursday at Trent Bridge. Scroll down for the analysis behind his selections.

England vs Zimbabwe Betting Tips

• Ollie Pope over 58.5 match runs @ 5/6 with bet365
• Matthew Potts top first innings wicket-taker @ 7/1 with bet365
• Blessing Muzarabani to take over 2.5 match wickets @ 4/5 with bet365

Crucial game for England’s number three

England start their Test campaign by hosting Zimbabwe in this one-off match at Trent Bridge. With bigger challenges on the horizon, the selectors have opted for an experimental pace attack as they search for their best options with the Ashes in Australia taking place later in the year.

In contrast to the changes they have made to the bowling attack, the batting lineup is largely as expected, meaning Ollie Pope retains his position at number three.

With Jacob Bethell impressing in last winter’s win over New Zealand, the current vice-captain will need to put in a strong showing to keep the young star from dislodging him from the side.

Pope has had a solid start to the County Championship for Surrey, making knocks of 103, 65 and 45 from seven innings.

Trent Bridge is also a fairly batter-friendly ground, with England making at least 400 in both innings of last year’s Test match against the West Indies in Nottingham.

Essentially, if Pope cannot make at least 59 runs across two innings against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, the long-term future for the 27-year-old at number three does not look good.

Take him to go over the total to keep a firm grasp on his spot in this England lineup.

England vs Zimbabwe tip 1: Ollie Pope over 58.5 match runs @ 5/6 with bet365

Potts to impress

One of the beneficiaries of England’s rotation in their pace attack for this match is Matthew Potts, who will return to the team for his 11th Test.

That makes him one of the most experienced players in this bowling attack, and he could show that in this game.

The 26-year-old has had a solid start to the season for Durham, taking 16 wickets in seven innings, and he shone at Trent Bridge when taking four wickets in Nottinghamshire’s first innings.

While he may not have express pace, Potts is a dangerous bowler and has 36 wickets in international cricket. He looks a tempting price to be the first innings top wicket-taker against a weak Zimbabwean batting lineup.

England vs Zimbabwe tip 2: Matthew Potts top first innings wicket-taker @ 9/1 with bet365

Muzarabani the pick of the visitors’ attack

Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani is the standout bowler in their attack and looks a solid bet to take three or more wickets in this Test.

The 28-year-old took nine wickets in a Test against Bangladesh last month and now has 51 wickets from 12 Tests at an average of 21.84.

He has also featured in the County Championship for Northamptonshire in the past so has experience of English conditions and he looks the best of the away team’s bowling attack.

Side with the lofty Muzarabani to go over the line of 2.5 match wickets.

England vs Zimbabwe tip 3: Blessing Muzarabani to take over 2.5 match wickets @ 4/5 with bet365