England face tense final-day battle

The rain came to England's rescue late on day four of the first Ashes Test but they face an enormous test on a tense final day with eight wickets to protect if they are no avoid a defeat that would put them 1-0 down in the series.

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Trailing by 219 runs, England simply have to bat well on the final day and show huge mental strength if they are to force a draw that would at least allow them to regroup going into the second Test at Lord's.

It won't be easy, though, because Australia's tails are up after they smashed a huge 674-6 declared, with four batsmen making centuries. England were exhausted and their batsmen then lost two wickets before the rains came.

The draw has now slipped to even money, while the Australians are now favourites at even money and England are a massive 300/1 - which to be honest could be 1,000/1 because it won't happen.

If England are to save the match, then the chances are that Kevin Pietersen will have to get a big score, and bet365 make him 10/11 to go on from three not out to 37 or more. Captain Andrew Strauss is the same price to take his score from seven to 39 or better.

Original preview
Making a fast start is not always imperative if you're going to win the Ashes, but it rarely hurts and England know that if they can get at the Australians' confidence by winning the first Test in Cardiff, starting on Wednesday, half the job will have been done.

So much about the Ashes contests in particular comes down to mind games and confidence that any little edge can be vital and the news that Brett Lee has been ruled out of the first and perhaps the second Test will have lifted England and affected Australia, whatever they may say in public.

Privately, they were relying on Lee to lead the attack and also provide the experience of Ashes series on England soil that is often so key to the outcome of a series between the two old foes. Without him, their pace attack is undoubtedly weaker and England will not fear any one as they go into the series.

That's not to say Australia will not be hugely difficult to beat - they always are - but the aura they had over the past decade has gone and series defeats in India and at home to South Africa prove they no longer have the ability to beat a side on reputation alone.

No Glenn McGrath and no Shane Warne means a stranglehold has been lifted and England will be going all out to win the first Test in Cardiff.

Four years ago, of course, they lost the first Test and still won the series, but they won't want to put themselves under that kind of pressure this time and what happens in Cardiff - almost regardless of the actual result, will go a long way to deciding the series' fate.

Until about 12 months ago, Australia were on a quite phenomenal run of winning the first Test in almost every Test they played, going back 10-12 years. But things have changed and the draw is actually the favourite at 7/5 with bet365.

I am a little surprised at that because neither of these two teams draw that many Tests these days, so perhaps it's the weather forecast playing on the bookies' minds. Either way, Australia are now 2/1 and England are 21/10.

Top bat
As for who will take the bull by the horns, well it's the usual suspects at the top of the batting, with Kevin Pietersen and Ricky Ponting favourites to top-score in the first innings for their respective sides.

Pietersen, of course, loves centre stage and loves playing against the Aussies, so it would be no surprise at all should he land odds of 3/1 to come out on top. Anbdrew Staruss, the captain, is 7/2 and Ravi Bopara and Alastair Cook both 4/1, with Paul Collingwood 6/1, Andrew Flintoff 7/1 and Matt Prior 9/1.

For the Aussies, Ponting is 10/3 favourite, while Simon Katich and newcomer Phil Hughes are both 4/1, with Michael Hussey 9/2 and Michael Clarke 5/1. Ponting will want to lead from the front but I can see Clarke topping the runscoring in this match.

I can't wait for the series to begin and though it is very tough to call, I have to think that the momentum is swaying in England's favour, so would suggest a small investment in them.

Cambers' Call
England to beat Australia in 1st Test - 2/1 bet365
Michael Clarke to top-score for Australia in the 1st innings of 1st Test - 5/1 bet365

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