The Ashes series came to life last weekend, with England fighting like crazy to avoid an innings defeat against their arch-rivals. This they managed thanks to some heroic batting performances, although it must be a concern that they were so roundly outplayed in Cardiff by Australia. Indeed, it’s something of a surprise to see the tourists available at 7/4 (Blue Square) to win the second Test at Lords later this week, especially as they were so dominant in south Wales.

The Aussies haven’t lost a Test in St John’s Wood for seventy-five years and it’s hard to see the trend being bucked in 2009. Their batting order illustrated that several players are in imperious form for this series, although they were helped by a pitch that was flatter than a pancake! Even so, it’s hard to see the English bowling attack taking the necessary twenty wickets required to stand a chance of victory, with totesport offering 7/2 about the Three Lions.

Perhaps the value bet is the draw once again. Boylesports stick their neck out and offer 13/10 that the match ends all square again, something which has to be considered for two reasons. Firstly, the unpredictability of the English weather means that play is likely to be suspended, as it was at the SWALEC Stadium on Saturday evening. Secondly, the powers-that-be at Lords want a Test Match that lasts five days, thus generating plenty of revenue as a result. On the basis that England look anything like match-winners at the moment, the safest bet is to prepare a pitch that will ensure plenty of runs are scored.

Kevin Pietersen is once again favourite (10/3 Boylesports) to score the most 1^st innings runs for England, with the number four landing the spoils with 69 runs in Cardiff. Nevertheless, KP was out cheaply twice in the 1^st Test, and it could instead pay to side with Paul Collingwood (7/1 Stan James), who managed innings of 64 and 74 in south Wales. Andrew Flintoff is a 14/1 chance (Bet Fred) to top score, and he’s put together some impressive batting performances at Lords over the years.

Steve Harmison looks likely to be recalled for the 2^nd Test and the Geordie is 7/2 (Ladbrokes) to take the most wickets in North London. James Anderson is an 11/4 chance (Blue Square), with Freddie Flintoff a 3/1 poke (Coral) to land the most wickets. Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting is a 7/2 chance (Ladbrokes) to score the most first innings runs for his team, following on from his leading tally of 150 in Cardiff.