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Poll: England backed

Image: Captain Fantastic: Alastair Cook

Skysports.com readers are strongly backing England to complete a 3-1 Test series win over India.

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Readers expect Cook's men to complete a 3-1 series win

Skysports.com readers are strongly backing England to keep up the momentum and complete a 3-1 Test series win over India. In our online poll, 58 per cent of you expect the tourists to drive home their advantage in the final Test in Nagpur starting on Thursday. A further 22 per cent think England will gain the draw they need to clinch the series and only 20 per cent believe India can turn the tide and level the series at 2-2. Alastair Cook's men looked to be in for a long hard winter after they were totally outplayed in a nine-wicket first Test defeat in Ahmedabad in mid-November. But they have since hit back in stunning fashion to win by 10 wickets and seven-wickets respectively in Mumbai and Kolkata and need only a draw in the final Test to record their first series triumph in India since 1984/85. It will take a major reversal of form to deny England, and the bookies have also seen plenty of support for the prolific Cook and his charges. Sky Bet cricket trader Tom Warburton said: "England are proving ever-popular with our customers and have been well backed to 13/8 to finish the series with a win. "Those lucky enough to back a 3-1 England win after the first Test at 66/1 will be hoping for another solid performance but the pressure is mounting from the Indian media and the fans for a positive home result and that has produced a fairly evenly spread market. "India are 6/4 to square the series and spare their blushes but with England only needing a draw to secure a huge series victory a price of 11/5 could represent excellent value." All eyes will again be on Cook who became England's record century maker in Test history when he recorded his 23rd ton at Eden Gardens. "He's been sensational and we're offering 4/1 for him to repeat the heroics in the 1st Innings of the 4th Test or 9/4 in either innings. He will again be pivotal in securing victory," added Warburton.

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