Australia nailed on for opening win?

It's 19 years since Australia last lost a Test match in Brisbane so Sri Lanka are very much up against it as the two sides kick off a two-Test series on Thursday. But with no Shane Warne and no Glenn McGrath, Australia may not be able to roll sides over quite as easily as they used to, so nothing is definite.

Click here to bet on Australia v Sri Lanka at bet365

Throw in the fact that Australia haven't lost the first Test of a home series since that same match - against West Indies in November 1988 - and Sri Lanka's task is even greater.

They should not be completely written off of course as they are a more than competent side with several match-winners in their line-up but bet365 think it's all about the home side as they make Australia 2/5 (1.40) to win at the Gabba. Sri Lanka are 7/1 and the draw is 14/5.

Australia have made a habit of beginning a series in style for several years now but all is not lost for the Sri Lankans because the pitch at the Gabba, while a good one to bat on, does offer something for the spinner.

Shane Warne took 68 wickets in 11 wickets there, so with the legendary twirler now retired from Test cricket, the only man who can realistically be compared to him must be thinking he can make an impression. Muttiah Muralitharan has never played a Test at the Gabba but he has done well there in one-day cricket so there may yet be a twist in the tail, even if Australia, in Stuart MacGill, have a pretty good spinner of their own.

As Nasser Hussain will tell you, or maybe he wouldn't, if you win the toss in Brisbane, you should ignore any thoughts of fielding first. The fast outfield and true pitch encourages batsmen to play their shots and Australia have racked up a stack of runs in recent years.

Top performers
Australia captain Ricky Ponting heads the betting at 10/3 to be his side's top runscorer in the first innings and it's hardly surprising as the skipper averages 76 in Tests there.

Bludgeoning opener Matt Hayden (who averages 70 there) is next at 7/2, with Michael Hussey behind him at 9/2. New-boy Phil Jaques, who will open alongside Hayden after the retirement of Justin Langer, is a 5/1 chance, with Michael Clarke 6/1 and Andrew Symonds 7/1.

Kumar Sangakkara is favourite to top-score for Sri Lanka at 3/1, again not surprising as he has a fabulous Test average of 54. Captain Mahela Jayawardene is next at 7/2, with old war-horses Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu both 4/1. Upul Tharanga is 11/2, Thilan Samawareera and Michael Vandoort are both 6/1 and Chamara Silva is 15/2.

It is hard to see anything other than an Australia win but don't be surprised if Murali has a blinder and pinches the man-of-the-match award, on offer at 17/2, while Stuart MacGill could also be a good cover bet in the same market, at 20/1.

Cambers' Call:
Muttiah Muralitharan to be man of the match 17/2 bet365
Stuart MacGill to be man of the match 20/1 bet365

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