Aussies confident of VB success

Ricky Ponting is in the form of his life and will surprise no-one if he finishes the VB series as top run scorer © Getty Images

bet365 appear to have written off the chances of both South Africa and Sri Lanka in the VB one-day series in Australia, which begins on Friday with the host side taking on Sri Lanka in Melbourne. The Australians are 1/4 (1.25) to win it, while South Africa, who performed well with little luck in the recent Test series, are 100/30 (4.33) to get some form of revenge. Sri Lanka, walloped by India and also beaten by New Zealand recently, are a massive 12/1 (13.00).

The odds are not surprising given the events of recent weeks and months but I just can't see the point in backing Australia at 1/4 when the top two sides in the series (the three sides play each other four times) meet in a best-of-three final. If Australia and South Africa, as expected, qualify for the final, then it's highly unlikely that they will be any shorter than they are now, and anything can happen before then.

Anything, that is, except a Sri Lanka victory, at least on paper. Marvan Atapattu's side have won just two of their past 10 one-dayers, and with former captain Sanath Jayasuriya out of the series through injury, their chances appear slim, to say the least. Compare that to Australia, who have won seven of their past 10 and 14 of their past 20, and to South Africa, who have lost just two of their past 20 matches - a superb record - and they are clearly up against it.

Australia are 1/7 (1.14) to beat the Sri Lankans in the opening match at the MCG, while Atapattu's side are 4/1 (5.00) for what would be a big upset. Australia look right back to their best after their Ashes defeat and their batsmen will be looking to score big. Captain Ricky Ponting, in the form of his life, is an understandable favourite at 3/1 (4.00), while Adam Gilchrist, looking back in touch, is 4/1 (5.00) and the returning Damien Martyn is 9/2 (5.50). Michael Clarke, another with a point to prove after being dropped from the Test squad, is 5/1 (6.00) to top score, the same price as the powerful Andrew Symonds, who has taken his chances well.

For Sri Lanka, Kumar Sangakkara is a worthy favourite at 7/2 (4.50) after some good efforts when playing for the Rest of the World in Australia a couple of months ago, while Atapattu is next at 4/1 (5.00). Mahela Jayawardene and Upal Thranga are both 5/1 (6.00) while Tillakaratne Dilshan is an 11/2 (6.50) chance.