England face tough series

Fresh from their humilating one-day whitewash at the hands of Sri Lanka, England have to get right back on track immediately as Pakistan begin a four-Test series but with a host of injuries that will be far from easy.

It will be very interesting to see how England recover from their one-day horror-show against a talented Pakistan side.

England were beaten by Pakistan in the winter and it will take something of a Herculean effort if they are to win this series, even if they are on home soil in front of their home crowd. Pakistan have not lost a Test series in England since 1982, believe it or not.

Injuries have destroyed England's confidence and captain Michael Vaughan, Simon Jones and Ashley Giles are all long-term absentees. They will leave England lacking experience and class, while the loss of Andrew Flintoff, who would have been captain in Vaughan's absence, is a huge blow.

Despite this, though, bet365 still make them 11/10 (2.10) favourites for the series. Pakistan are 6/4 (2.50) and the draw is available at 10/3 (4.33).

Despite all their problems, the favourite correct score outcome is a 2-1 England win, at 5/1 (6.00). A 2-1 Pakistan win is 11/2 (6.50) while a 1-1 draw is next at 6/1 (7.00).

England could have Steve Harmison as their only recognised strike bowler in the first Test at Lord's, but the fact is that for the three remaining Tests they should have Harmison, Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard in their ranks and that will strike fear into Pakistan.

The tourists' batting line-up is talented but shaky and there is every chance their lack of concentration will let them down at some stages in the series.

For England, Kevin Pietersen is the obvious favourite, at 2/1 (3.00) to be the side's top scorer in the series, thanks to his remarkable knack of playing his best when it matters most. It is a mark of a great player that they can produce on the big stage and no one on the Pakistan side will like bowling to him.

Marcus Trescothick is a 3/1 (4.00) chance, with Andrew Strauss, who has been suspect against spin already this summer, Alastair Cook and Paul Collingwood all close behind.

Pakistan's batting market is inevitably topped by their captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who has really enjoyed an excellent time of it in the past couple of years Inzy is 3/1 (4.00) Younis Khan, who is hugely talented, is right behind at 3/1 (4.00).

Mohammad Yousuf is next at 4/1 (5.00), while Imran Farhat and Shoaib Malik are close behind. Wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal is a 12/1 (13.00) chance and Shahid Afridi, who is capable of great highs and great lows too, is a tempting proposition at 14/1 (15.00).