Can Vaughan pull out the stops?
What do Kevin Pietersen, Marcus Tresocthick and Michael Vaughan have in common? They were the top scorers in the first innings in the first three Tests
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Trescothick, the top scorer in the first innings at Edgbaston, has looked in great form ever since Lord's and the Somerset left-hander is the favourite at 7/2 (4.50) to see off the rest this time round. Opening batsmen are always popular in these markets and his partner at the top of the order, Andrew Strauss, is also prominent in the betting. Strauss shares second favouritism at 4/1 (5.00) with skipper Michael Vaughan, whose superb 166 was the backbone of England's effort at Old Trafford. Vaughan has a habit of stringing big scores together and 4/1 (5.00) is not a bad price for him to be top dog once more.
Next in the betting is Kevin Pietersen, England's best player in the first Test defeat, but whose influence has dwindled as England's fortunes have improved. It's not that he hasn't played well, it's just that others have played better. Still, the Hampshire man loves the limelight, and at 9/2 (5.50) he's likely to receive some support. Ian Bell, who's beginning to look more assured, is an 11/2 (6.50) chance, while Andrew Flintoff is 6/1 (7.00) to continue his outstanding series with a top score. Geraint Jones, yet to really show his best with the bat, is 14/1 (15.00).
Can Ponting perform again?
Justin Langer may not have scored a century yet in the three Ashes Tests but the opener has come out on top in the first innings runscorers and looks bang in form. However, the outstanding effort by Ricky Ponting at Old Trafford, which effectively saved the match for Australia, has persuaded bet365 to make him the 7/2 (4.50) favourite to be his side's top scorer in the first innings at Trent Bridge, starting on Thursday.
Langer, who top-scored at Lord's and Edgbaston, is a 4/1 (5.00) chance while Damien Martyn, who has flattered to deceive in the first three matches but who's capable of an awful lot more, is 5/1 (6.00), the same price as Matthew Hayden, the one Australia batsman who is definitely struggling for form. The thing with Hayden, though, is that if and when he rediscovers it, then a big score is a near-certainty.
Michael Clarke is a 6/1 (7.00) chance while, surprisingly, bet365 have Brad Hodge in at 13/2. I would be surprised if Australia make any batting changes, which means that the 8/1 on Adam Gilchrist or Simon Katich top-scoring is decent value. Katich is a fine player, while it is surely only a matter of time before Gilchrist smacks a few runs. And don't rule out a reprise for Shane Warne, whose 90 made him top of the pile in the first innings at Old Trafford.
Cambers' Call:
Adam Gilchrist to be Australia's top first innings runscorer - 8/1 (9.00)
Michael Vaughan to be England's top first innings runscorer - 4/1 (5.00)
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
Simon Cambers is Cricinfo's new betting correspondent
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