England on the drift in series markets

With the selectors not risking Stephen Harmison's injury for this week's second Test, England have drifted slightly in the series betting, though they are still strong at 4/11 (1.36) while bet365 make them 4/5 (1.80) to win this week at Edgbaston.

Sri Lanka, whose valiant rearguard action gave them a draw at Lord's, are now 8/1 (9.00) for the series while the draw is a 100/30 (4.33) chance.

At Edgbaston, the tourists are also 8/1 (9.00) while the draw, which is likely to see plenty of support because of the weather alone, is 13/10 (2.30).

The home side were as short as 1/25 (1.04) at one stage during the Lord's match, but Sri Lanka's fabulous effort of 537-9 in the second innings ensured that the two sides would go into the second Test all square.

More than anything, the way Sri Lanka batted in the second innings showed that England's attack, without Harmison and Simon Jones, lacks the ability to sustain pressure.

England have won seven and lost just one of their Tests against the Sri Lankans but the tourists will be hugely boosted by their performance at Lord's and will also be buoyed by the arrival of former captain Sanath Jayasuriya for the second Test.

The left-handed opener had retired from Test cricket but was persuaded to come back, though he faces a battle to make the team for Edgbaston.

Sri Lanka have won just 13 of 81 Tests away from home, though they have performed slightly better in recent years, winning five of their past 20.

Good record
The bad news for the tourists, though, is that England have a pretty good record at Edgbaston down the years, having won 21 of the 41 Tests there and lost just seven.

The bookies still believe England have the upper hand but the correct score betting has changed, with a 1-0 England win the new favourite at 8/5 (2.60). A 2-0 win for Andrew Flintoff's side is now out to 13/8 (2.62).

With the weather playing its part, a 0-0 stalemate is next at 6/1 (7.00) and a 1-1 draw is 7/1 (8.00).

And for optimistic Sri Lanka fans, or perhaps negative England supporters, a 1-0 win for the visitors can be backed at 10/1 (11.00) and a 2-0 win is a 40/1 (41.00) chance.