Former skipper backs England to wrap up Ashes at Trent Bridge
Thursday 6 August 2015 10:38, UK
Sir Ian Botham says Australia are 'under the cosh' and feels England can deliver the final blow and regain the Ashes at Trent Bridge.
Alastair Cook's side bounced back from their Lord's nightmare thanks to a match-winning return to Test match action from Steven Finn, who claimed the man-of-the-match award, and Ian Bell, who scored 53 and 65 not out to steer England to victory.
They now go into the fourth Investec Ashes Test at Nottingham, starting on Thursday, on a high and Ashes legend Botham feels they can clinch the series with a match to spare.
The Sky Sports commentator said: "There's no reason whatsoever why they can't wrap things up at Trent Bridge with Australia under the cosh right now.
"What this England side have done in this Ashes series is remarkable. They were written off by a lot of people but what they have achieved is very, very pleasing."
But if England are to clinch a famous victory they will have to do it without record-breaking bowler Jimmy Anderson, who has been ruled out with a side injury.
Anderson has a staggering record at Nottingham with an incredible 53 Test wickets at under 20 and the former England captain admits he will be missed, although he feels fit-again Mark Wood is an obvious replacement.
Botham said: "It's very sad for Jimmy because he's in peak form at the moment. He has an awesome record at Trent Bridge but that's the way it goes, these things happen."
"It's nice to have someone like Mark Wood who can step in. Wood will walk back in and I don't find that a problem.”
He added: "England are in a good place at the moment. The side that have all the work to do are Australia."
Botham, who had three winning selections at Edgbaston, is backing England to win at odds of 2/1 and tipping Ian Bell to continue where he left off at Edgbaston as England's top first innings run scorer at 4/1.
The Sky Bet tipster also picked out Stuart Broad, who is one wicket away from 300 in Test matches, to shine on his home ground at 11/4.
See all Beefy's 4th Test bets here
England win - 2/1
Top England bat first inns: Ian Bell - 4/1
Top Australia bat first inns: David Warner - 7/2
Top England bowler first inns: Stuart Broad - 11/4
Top Australia bowler first inns: Josh Hazlewood - 3/1
Watch the fourth Ashes Test from Trent Bridge live on Sky Sports Ashes HD from 10am on Thursday. You can also watch the fourth Test with a NOW TV Sports Day Pass. Plus, our Ashes Events Centre - the best of Sky Cricket's analysis at your fingertips - is available on our iPad app.
