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BACK SHANE WARNE TO BE MAN OF THE MATCH IN THE FOURTH ASHES TEST 5-1 Odds quoted are from Betfair The greatest spin bowler in the history of the game called it a day during the week. The timing wasn't that surprising. He had intended to call it a day after last year's series, but defeat to England kept him going for one more year, his innate competitiveness denying him the option of going out on such a low. In the second test of this series, he was clearly frustrated by England's batsmen in their "rst innings, with Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood attacking his deliveries and maintaining an impressive partnership that contributed to England's seemingly unassailable lead. Some poor souls, including England coach Duncan Fletcher, decided that here was the twilight of a great player's career, that there was now nothing to fear from him. With a draw looming entering the "nal day, he almost singlehandedly dismantled England's batting order, taking four wickets while bullying and harassing and utterly dominating his opponents psychologically. With the Ashes now secured, these last two tests will be his victory parade, and with great and emotive receptions guaranteed, any sort of performance would be enough to secure Shane Warne the man of the match award.
BACK DRAW AT HALF-TIME, CHELSEA TO WIN AT FULL-TIME AGAINST READING ON St STEPHEN'S DAY 7-2 Odds quoted are from Betfair The Sportsman, you may or may not recall, made an attempt to get in on the patch of betting bible the Racing Post earlier this year.
It's opening gambit for soccer tips was the halftime draw, full-time Chelsea result, which was usually available at around 7-2 and had popped up with regularity since the start of the reign of Jose Mourinho. This, it was declared, was the passport to pro"t for punters, advising a weekly investment for the rest of the season.
As is the way of these things, the combination didn't happen for the rest of the season and deadlock in two other games only being broken in the moments before half-time) this bet still has some legs this season. Reading were demolished by Arsenal after trying to engage them in a shootout, but have shown themselves effective against tighter out"ts like Manchester United and Chelsea already this season. Expect a bit of frustration before the inevitable happens.
Where the money was. . .
CHELSEA TO BEAT EVERTON IN THE PREMIERSHIP LAST WEEK 20-1 (Betfair) With less than 10 minutes to go at Goodison Park last week, Everton were 2-1 up and hanging on for their first victory over Chelsea in 14 games. Chelsea had already been one down and got back to equalise, but it was still possible at one stage to back them at 20-1 in running on Betfair before Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba secured a thrilling comeback win. Likely to stand as the best odds you'll get on them to win a match this year.
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