England vs West Indies 2nd Test tips and predictions: Harry Brook and Gus Atkinson to star as England wrap up series win

It was as routine as routine victories can be when England swept aside the West Indies in the first Test last week, with James Anderson bidding farewell and newboy Gus Atkinson putting his name in lights. 

Atkinson took match figures of 12-106, which were the best figures by an England debutant in 134 years. 

Due to the emergence of Atkinson, the Lord's Test had a real changing of the guard feel to it as Anderson departed the scene and the Surrey quick entered, while Matthew Potts and Dillon Pennington were waiting in the wings. 

We raised concerns around the visitors' batting line up in our preview for the Lord's Test and they were justified as they folded like a pack of cards, and we think that Atkinson will cash in again on the banks of the Trent.

In terms of England's batting performance in the first match, several batsmen impressed but conversion issues plagued them again with the likes of Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook all passing 50 but in an all too familiar tale they failed to convert to three figures. 

Prior to getting out at Lord's, Brook in particular looked in good touch and we think that the powerful middle order man will impress again and top score for the hosts given that Trent Bridge is a small ground and boundaries are usually easy to come by. 

The West Indies did look good in spells with the ball, with Gudakesh Motie offering a threat, while Jayden Seales and Jason Holder troubled the England batsmen on several occasions.

There's usually more on offer for the swing bowlers at Nottingham, so we think the experienced Holder will be the West Indies' top wicket taker. 

In terms of betting on England to win, you will get a tiny profit due to the odds and it's a better shot to go with the partnership market. 

The West Indies opening pair of Kraigg Brathwaite and Mykile Louis were troubled by the England bowling attack, therefore we think that the first wicket will fall with under 21.5 runs on the board. 

Another comfortable win should be on the cards for the hosts here, but the West Indies could make a (slightly) better fight of it.

 

Suggested bets

Harry Brook- England 1st innings top run scorer

Gus Atkinson- England 1st innings top wicket taker

Jason Holder- West Indies 1st innings top wicket taker

West Indies first wicket under 21.5 runs