Crunch time for Australia

After their humiliating defeat by Zimbabwe, Australia know that if they lose to England on Friday, they can pack their bags and return home. Nevertheless, the Aussies are favourites at 1/2 while England are 6/4.

England weren't exactly impressive in beating Zimbabwe in their opener and they will expect Australia to come out firing on Friday.

That said, Australia's batsmen have to pick up their game after their pathetic effort against Zimbabwe, and their inability to play the slow bowlers could influence England's team selection come the morning.

Matthew Hayden's back spasms are still bothering him while captain Ricky Ponting is rusty after some time off following a family illness.

Despite their failures against Zimbabwe, Adam Gilchrist and Hayden are joint favourites to top score against England, at 11/4.

Ponting is next at 10/3 while Brad Hodge, one of the few to look even remotely on song against Zimbabwe, is next at 4/1, with Andrew Symonds a 5/1 chance.

For England, bet365 are not making the same mistake again by pushing Kevin Pietersen down the order in their markets. Having made him only fourth favourite to top-score against Zimbabwe - which he did - he is 11/4 favourite to do so against Australia.

Darren Maddy and Matt Prior are both 7/2, Luke Wright is 4/1 and captain Paul Collingwood is 13/2, with the rest 8/1 or bigger.

Australia are 8/11 to hit the most sixes, which, considering this market is basically a 50-50 one, makes England good value at 7/5.