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England’s five Test series with India gets underway on Friday with the opener taking place at Headingley.

England have played a one-off Test against Zimbabwe and a pair of white-ball series against the West Indies this summer, dominating every time.

However, the first big challenge comes in the form of India, who arrive for a best-of-five series which begins at Headingley on Friday.

The tourists have not played a Test since their winter tour of Australia and before that they lost 3-0 at home to New Zealand, so they have a bit to prove in the red-ball game, particularly as their talisman Virat Kohli has just retired.

All in all it should be an enthralling series and we pick out the best cricket betting for the first Test.

England v India first Test tips

• England to win @ 3/5
• Brydon Carse England top bowler 1st innings @ 23/10
• Harry Brook England top batter 1st innings @ 3/1

Visitors lack match sharpness

England have been a much-improved Test team under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s tutelage but with the Ashes looming at the end of the year, they need to show that they are ready to take on the best in the world.

They host an India side who have lost seven of their last nine Tests and have a poor record generally in England.

The Boys in Blue last played a Test nearly six months ago and with the IPL only finishing recently, they may find this adjustment back to red-ball cricket a tricky one.

Headingley tends to suit England, too. They have won their last five Tests at the ground and, despite the absence of Gus Atkinson, they have enough in their bowling attack to suggest they can get the better of this in-transition India side.

Tip 1: England to win @ 3/5

Carse to continue impressive start

Brydon Carse has made a rock-solid start to his England career, taking 27 wickets in five games at an average of 19.85.

A toe injury ruled him out for the winter but he is now back to full fitness and should make a big impact at Headingley.

Chris Woakes is priced up as favourite to be England’s top bowler but the forecast sunny conditions are less suited to his style of bowling.

Carse took 3/38 in a recent T20 against these opponents and is fancied to be the home team’s top bowler in the first innings.

Tip 2: Brydon Carse England top bowler 1st innings @ 23/10

Brook to make hay on home ground

Harry Brook’s remarkable trajectory continues as he has made his stamp on the white-ball team since becoming captain.

He also has an impressive Test average of 58.47 and will be playing at his home ground for the first time as an England red-ball player.

The 26-year-old will relish conditions and looks a solid bet to be England’s top batter in the first innings.

Tip 3: Harry Brook England top batter 1st innings @ 3/1