Aussie whitewash now long odds-on

Our worst fears were confirmed in the first Test when West Indies capitulated tamely in the face of Australia's customary onslaught and it's now going to take a near-miracle to stop the home side from completing a series whitewash.

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To even stand a chance of competing, West Indies had to perform out of their skins and unfortunately, with the notable exception of Adrian Barath, who hit a century on his debut, they failed miserably.

They were already without Fidel Edwards but their bowling woes were compounded by the news that Jerome Taylor will rest of the series through injury. Without those two, I just can't see them taking enough wickets to even compete.

Australia were even money for the 3-0 series whitewash before the start of the first Test and now they are in to 4/9. That's a short price but quite frankly not an ungenerous one because I can't see anything else happening.

Bet365 make Australia 2/9 to win the second Test, which starts in Adelaide on Friday, while West Indies are 14/1 and the draw is 4/1.

If West Indies are to even put up a fight then captain Chris Gayle has to come to the party. The skipper is third favourite at 7/2 to top-score for his side in their first innings. Favouritism goes to Ramnaresh Sarwan at 3/1, while Shivnarine Chanderpaul is 10/3.

Despite Barath's century, there is a gulf of class between those top three and the likes of Barath and the rest. Nevertheless, he is talented and at 4/1, bet365 are clearly taking no chances.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting is the clear favourite to top-score for his side in their first innings. Bet365 make him 11/4, well clear of Simon Katich at 4/1. Michael Hussey and Shane Watson are 9/2, with Michael Clarke 5/1 and Marcus North 17/2.

Clarke should be much improved for a maucth under his belt and he could be a good price at 5/1.

Original preview
If you didn't already know there is a massive gulf between these two sides, then one look at bet365's odds for the series would remind you, with Australia just even money to secure a 3-0 series whitewash over the once-great West Indies.

That's not altogether surprising when you think that the last two series - in 2000 and 2005 - were also whitewashes and while Australia have remained close to the top in the last couple of years and West Indies are improving, it is asking an awful lot for them to come to Australia and win a series.

In fact, it's asking an awful lot for them to even win a match, which is why bet365 installed Australia at even money to win 3-0. It's not a bet for me, though, for the Aussies are not quite as good as they were a few years ago and the Windies are getting better, as said. But more than anything, to win 3-0, everything needs to go right, and that includes the weather, which can never be entirely relied upon, even in Australia.

It is 16 years since West Indies last won a series in Australia and since then they declined horribly, although of late there have been some encouraging signs, at least. But on home soil, Australia are so hard to beat that it seems highly unlikely it will even be a contest.

Even if Australia are still a side in transition - of sorts- the real problem for West Indies is that they do not have the depth and also that their big players are either tired (Chris Gayle, after a late arrival), doubtful (Ramnaresh Sarwan) or carrying several others (Jerome Taylor, in the absence of Fidel Edwards).

Things don't look good for them in the first Test and bet365 make the Aussies 2/9, with West Indies a massive 12/1 and the draw a 9/2 bet. That's not far off the odds on the series itself - the Aussies being 1/9 to West Indies' 12/1.

Ricky Ponting remains the one constant in the Australia side and after the defeat by England in the summer, he will be absolutely determined to win every game he can. The skipper is 9/4 favourite to top-score in the series and since he usually canes the West Indies attack, that's not a bad price.

Simon Katich is 7/2, with Shane Watson, Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke all 4/1. Clarke would be a good pick but he is only just back after injury and may take time to find his form.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul - together with Gayle and Sarwan the class of the West Indies batting - is joint favourite to top-score at 5/2, with Sarwan himself. Gayle is 4/1 and then there is a massive gap to Brendan Nash at 13/2, who quite frankly is nowhere near as good as any of the top three.

If West Indies are to get anything out of the series they will have to do a New Zealand and perform better than the sum of their parts. It's not impossible but a 3-0 win for Australia looks far more probable.

Cambers' Call
Australia to win Test series 3-0 v West Indies - evens - bet365

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.