Hair 8-1 for more antics

Darrell Hair is 8-1 with William Hill to discipline a player for dissent or ball tampering when he umpires the second Test between England and New Zealand, which begins at Old Trafford on Friday.

But, rather than back the controversial official to make more headlines after almost a two-year absence, have a punt on New Zealand getting somewhere near England’s first-innings total.

Sporting Bet make the Kiwis even-money getting a 76-run start and that looks decent value.

England have not posted a first innings total of 400 in their past ten Test matches, while the opposition have chalked up more than 400 on five occasions during the same period.

The home team’s inability to fire as a collective unit is becoming an increasing worry, while their bowlers also lacked a bit of punch at Lord’s. Certainly, you have to take a deep breath before backing Michael Vaughan’s men to win at 8-13.

New Zealand, generally 6-1, lack individual match winners but they will have gained confidence from the way that they dug themselves out of a couple of tight corners in the first Test.

The draw is available at 15-8 but wet weather does not look like playing a significant part.

Vaughan was our pre-series pick to emerge as England’s top runscorer and, after his century, has been cut to 5-2 favourite. He is 4-1 to be England’s top first-innings scorer this time and there will be worse bets before the summer is over.