England scent victory

England took a couple of crucial wickets late on day four of the third Test at Edgbaston on Sunday to set up what could be a spectacular final day. The draw remains the big favourite, but a couple of early wickets could change all that.

Australia should be able to bat their way out of trouble but with Ricky Ponting already back in the pavilion, England will believe that they can achieve the win that would be a remarkable achievement given the interruptions of the rain.

Bet365 make the draw 1/7, but England, who were 14/1 after day one, have been cut to 4/1, with the Aussies now a massive 80/1.

Shane Watson, unbeaten on 34, is 10/11 to make it to 60 or more, while Michael Hussey, who has 18 runs to his name, is 10/11 to get up to 50 or better.

Original preview
England and Australia reconvene at Edgbaston on Thursday for the start of the third Test, with the home side leading 1-0 after their win at Lord's. But with a forecast that predicts rain, rain and more rain, the draw has now been slashed to odds-on.

Rain is anticipated in the Birmingham area for much of the first three days of the match, which could well scupper any hopes Australia have of levelling the five-match series after England's victory at Lord's put them 1-0 up.

With no Kevin Pietersen for England at Edgbaston - or for the rest of the series - the Aussies are sensing a big chance, but bet365 now make the draw a 5/6 favourite, which is pretty tempting if the weather forecast is to be believed.

The pitch also appears likely to be conducive to the draw, with 16 of the past 20 first-class matches at Edgbaston failing to produce a winner. Forcing the win, especially when their supposedly first-choice bowler, Mitchell Johnson, is out of form, will not be easy. Australia are now 2/1 to win it, while England are the outsiders at 4/1.

The bookies seem to think Australia have an edge with no Pietersen to face, and that's perhaps true. Ian Bell is no Pietersen, but he is also no mug and with a point to prove (he also has a poor record against Australia), he could come good, especially as he does not have to bat at No 3.

Andrew Flintoff seems certain to play after intensive treatment on his troublesome knee and if he bowls as he did in the second innings at Lord's, then we'll be in for a treat.

Captain Andrew Strauss is the 3/1 favourite to be England's top runscorer in the first innings, and that's no surprise given his excellent form and his brilliant hundred at Lord's. Alastair Cook, who also showed welcome form at Lord's, is next at 7/2 while Bell is 5/1 to come out on top on what is his home ground.

Ravi Bopara, the one England batsman under a little pressure after some poor-ish scores in the first two Tests, is also 5/1, while Paul Collingwood, who is batting very nicely, is 11/2 and Matt Prior, who is another in top nick, is 8/1 and Flintoff is 9/1.

Ricky Ponting is the obvious favourite to top-score for Australia, at 3/1, ahead of Simon Katich, who may just have lost his confidence after a couple of poor efforts at Lord's. Katich is 4/1, while Michael Hussey, who got runs in the most recent tour match and Michael Clarke, who is playing nicely, are both 9/2.

Behind them, Phil Hughes is 5/1 while Shane Watson, who could yet replace Hughes if Ponting has lost faith, is 8/1, with Marcus North 9/1 and Brad Haddin 10/1.

If the weather forecast holds true, then the draw really does look a sound bet, especially as the evidence of the first two Tests shows how little there is between the two sides.