talkSPORT tips – Best cricket bets and expert advice for England vs Pakistan first Test

England begin their first Test series after the departure of head coach Brendon McCullum as they take on Pakistan in three games across the summer.

The first of those takes place at Headingley, starting on Wednesday, as interim head coach Marcus Trescothick leads the team before Stephen Fleming’s arrival as new boss in December.

Joe Root has replaced Ben Stokes as captain so there have been plenty of changes and an intriguing encounter against Pakistan, who may be without captain Babar Azam after he suffered a hand injury, awaits.

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England vs Pakistan Tips

• Harry Brook top England first innings batter @ 16/5
• England to win @ 8/15
• Emilio Gay under 25.5 runs @ 17/20

Brook to star on home soil

Harry Brook was a real contender for England captain following Ben Stokes’ departure, given he is his country’s limited-overs skipper and vice-captain in Test cricket, but it could be a blessing in disguise that Joe Root was summoned to take over.

It will allow the 27-year-old Brook to focus solely on his batting and he has thrived when facing Pakistan, making four centuries and averaging 84.10 in 10 Test innings.

Brook put in some solid efforts for Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred, making 206 runs in eight games, and he looks set for a starring performance in the first Test at his home ground of Headingley.

Hosts can bounce back

Despite the changes in head coach and captain for England, they still boast some quality players and could be too strong for Pakistan.

The visitors have lost five of their last seven Tests, including a whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh, and their record at Headingley is a major concern.

Pakistan have won just one of their last 10 Tests on this ground and are facing an England side who have won their last six Tests at the West Yorkshire venue.

England’s bowling attack also looks in a decent spot, with the return of Jofra Archer to full fitness boosting a lineup that already included Josh Tongue, Ollie Robinson and Gus Atkinson.

Gay’s struggles may continue

Emilio Gay had a solid start to life as an England opener, with a pair of half-centuries against New Zealand, but his form since then has been poor and he may be worth taking on in the runs market.

The Durham opener made scores of 0 and 10 in the final Test of the New Zealand series and made a pair against Pakistan in a warm-up game as he returned from injury.

Gay has made scores of 10 or fewer in seven of his last nine innings and taking the under on his line of 25.5 runs looks like a solid bet.

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