England do the business

There is nothing a cricketer enjoys more than a weekend off so England will have been doubly delighted after they cruised to a 10-wicket win over West Indies in the first match of the two-Test series at Lord's

From the moment Ravi Bopara got going on day one they were in command and though West Indies at least made them bat again to win it, the vicotry was convincing.

It's the first time England have won the first Test in a series for the first time in 15 series, and the confidence gained from the win should not be underestimated when we think about the rest of the summer's cricket to come.

Australia will not exactly be quaking in their boots just yet but with Andrew Flintoff to come back in, and the new boys having performed well, there is a lot to like about how England won the first Test.

Predictably, they are now odds-on favourites to win the second and final Test, which begins in Chester-le-Street, Durham, on Thursday. West Indies are 5/1 and the draw is 7/4.

I'll have a full preview of that match once we see what England do with their team for that match, so please keep checking back here for updates.

Original match preview
England and West Indies begin their two-Test series at Lord's on Wednesday, a venue that has produced draws in each of the past six matches. Both teams have problems, but home advantage could see England to victory, and at 11/10, they are a reasonable price.

Traditionally, visiting teams usually lift their game when they get to Lord's, inspired by the surroundings and the history of the great place.

England, therefore, often don't have things all their own way at cricket's HQ but I can see them bucking that trend by winning this first match as they look to set a trend both for this series and the big one to come later this summer against Australia.

As mentioned, both teams have issues, if you will excuse the phrase. England have made some changes, dropping Ian Bell, resisting recalling Michael Vaughan and consigning Steve Harmison to the sidelines.

In come Graham Onions, Ravi Bopara and Tim Bresnan and with no Andrew Flintoff (injured), England will play just five batsmen - placing greater emphasis on the big names delivering, which may not be that easy given that Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood only arrived late from the IPL.

The bowling attack will be led by James Anderson and Stuart Broad, while they look likely to field two spinners in Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann.

As for West Indies, well if your captain only decides to arrive two days before the 1st Test, you can imagine what kind of a state they are in. However, in Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan (as well as Gayle, if he's ready), they have world class batsmen, while Fidel Edwards and Jerome Taylor they have two genuine quick bowlers.

For me, this series means more to England than West Indies, who, it should be remembered, are just filling in for Sri Lanka. England need to win it to set the tone for the summer, and at 11/10 they are a decent price at Lord's.

Despite being "underdone" - an admission by the coach Andy Flower - Kevin Pietersen remains favourite to top-score in the first innings at 3/1 - albeit joint favourite with his captain Andrew Strauss.

England may have drawn the last six matches at Lord's but in his seven matches there, Pietersen has averaged 80, including four centuries and two fifties, which just shows that when the big stage beckons, he is rarely found answering.

Strauss, in great form and playing on his home club ground, is a decent bet too, as he averages almost 60 in 10 Tests at Lord's. Alastair Cook is 4/1, Bopara 5/1 and Collingwood is 6/1, with Matt Prior, batting at No 6, 8/1.

Chanderpaul, who averages 80 at Lord's and who was the thorn in England's side in the Caribbean just a couple of months ago, is 11/4 favourite to top-score in his side's first innings. Sarwan is 3/1 and Gayle 10/3 and there is no doubt that those three are the class in the West Indies side.

Dale Richards and Devon Smith are each 6/1 with Lendl Simmons 7/1.

As I said, though the pitch may be relatively benign, England have the incentive to win this one that they may not otherwise have enjoyed. With two spinners, they could also exploit the pitch as the match wears on and therefore odds-against should be taken.