Sir Ian Botham says Alastair Cook will be hungry for runs in England's Test series in Bangladesh

Sir Ian Botham expects Alastair Cook to add to his terrific run-scoring record in Asia and help steer England to a series win in Bangladesh.

Cook, who will become the most-capped Test cricketer when he leads the team into Thursday's opener in Chittagong, has scored more Test runs in Asia than any other non-home-grown player in history.

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The England skipper has piled up 2,252 runs in his 21 Tests on the continent at an average of 61 and, despite not playing since the end of the County Championship season in September, Botham is backing the prolific opener to add to his impressive tally in the two-Test series in his Beefy's Bets.

The Sky Sports commentator and Sky Bet tipster said: "I'm going with the captain. He's got a terrific record in these hot, humid conditions and will be hungry for runs."

BEEFY'S BETS

Check out Beefy's 16/1 Alastair Cook and Adil Rashid double with Sky Bet and bet here.

Cook, who top scored in the series when England last played in Bangladesh six years ago, can be backed at 11/4 with the online bookmaker to be England's top run-scorer in the series and 3/1 to top score in the first innings of the first Test.

Botham enjoyed success in tipping Adil Rashid in the three ODIs and thinks the Yorkshire leg-spinner can stake his claim as England's premier spinner for this and the forthcoming five-Test series with India, and is worth backing at 5/2 to be England's leading wicket-taker in the series.

He added: "Adil has a great opportunity to establish himself as the first choice spinner this winter. He bowled well in the One Day series and I'd expect him to do well in the Tests."

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The England legend also expects England to maintain their 100 per cent winning record against the hosts, having won each of their previous eight Tests against Test cricket's newest nation.

"If the weather stays fair, I'd expect England to cruise it," added Botham, with the 2-0 scoreline a 6/4 shot with Sky Bet.

Beefy's Bets

Series selections

England series win - 4/11
England 2-0 - 6/4

England top series batsman: Alastair Cook - 11/4
England top series bowler: Adil Rashid - 5/2

1st Test v Bangladesh
England win - 8/13
England top bat (1st inns): Alastair Cook - 3/1
England top bowler: Adil Rashid - 100/30

Watch the opening Test between Bangladesh and England on Thursday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 2 HD and Sky Sports Mix at 4:30am.

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