Sir Ian Botham: England worthy favourites in ODI decider against Australia

By Ian Botham, Cricket Expert and Columnist @BeefyBotham

Image: Sir Ian Botham: Backed England to win the ODI series 3-2

Sir Ian Botham believes England warrant being installed as favourites against Australia for the first time this summer.

The tourists have been odds-on for each of the 10 matches contested on British turf but will head to Manchester as outsiders, with Sky Bet making England 4/5 to complete a historic comeback in the ODI series to add to their Ashes success.

Beefy's bets

Follow Sir Ian Botham's Sky Bet tips here.

"It's got to be England again," said the Sky Sports pundit. "Old Trafford suits them as did Headingley.

"They're playing well with plenty of confidence and, more importantly, have momentum going into the decider.

"They're playing some exciting cricket and I'm really enjoying watching them right now."

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Beefy, who backed England to win the series 3-2 after successfully predicting the same outcome in the Ashes, is also backing Moeen Ali to do the damage with the ball and be England's top wicket taker at 9/2.

Ali picked up three wickets in the previous Old Trafford clash while fellow spinner Adil Rashid bagged another couple.

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Image: Moeen Ali celebrates the wicket of George Bailey

Beefy added: "I'm torn between Rashid and Ali but just leaning towards the latter.

"Australia will try and get after the England spinners but they are both bowling well with plenty of control."

Beefy's fifth ODI bets:

Match winner ‐ England - 4/5

England most runs: Ben Stokes - 8/1

Australia most runs: Glenn Maxwell - 11/2

England bowler most wickets: Moeen Ali - 9/2

Australia bowler most wickets: Ashton Agar - 4/1

Follow Beefy's Sky Bet tips here.

Watch England v Australia in the One-Day International Series live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 10am on Sunday.

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