Bookies back Bradman to retain record in face of Smith's onslaught

In odds released today by bet365, South Africa's captain Graeme Smith is rated 9/4 to beat Don Bradman's record series aggregate of 974 runs, set back in the 1930 Ashes series. Smith is rated 1/3 to fall short of the mark. In the spread-betting player-index markets Sporting Index are similarly pessimistic about Smith's chances of overhauling The Don - they expect his series total to fall between 860 and 875 runs.

Smith has six possible innings still available to him in this series, and already has 621 runs from his first three - a record for the first two Tests of any series. At the same stage of his all-conquering season in 1930, Bradman had managed only 393 of his record 974 runs - but he did hit 334 in the third Test! Good weather, the traditionally good pitches at Trent Bridge and The Oval, and an England attack in some disarray all count in Smith's favour.

bet365 now rate South Africa hot favourites to win the series at 2/5. England are now rank outsiders at 8/1, with a drawn series 5/2.