Gilchrist tipped to top score on Friday

Adam Gilchrist's strokeplay was back to his trademark best on Wednesday © Getty Images

Adam Gilchrist, who struggled throughout the Ashes series, looked much more like his normal self on Wednesday as his 45 set the tone for a confident Australia performance. The left-hander showed many of the trademark strokes that were absent in England and the good thing for Australia is that they managed to win without anyone making a really big score. Following the first match performance, Gilchrist is an early 100/30 (4.33) favourite to be top scorer on a ground where he's had more success than most.

Ricky Ponting, Simon Katich, Damien Martyn and Michael Clarke will be looking forward to Friday's game. Ponting is second behind Gilchrist in the betting at 7/2 (4.50). Katich, who top-scored on Wednesday, is a 5/1 (6.00) shot, the same price as Symonds, while Michael Clarke is 11/2 (6.50), Damien Martyn 6/1 (7.00) and Michael Hussey, who looked good in his 32 on Wednesday, is 13/2 (7.50). All-rounder Shane Watson, who won the Man of the Match award in the opening game, is a 12/1 (13.00) chance.

Flintoff a generous price
For the Rest of the World, bet365 are sticking to their guns by making Jacques Kallis and VIrender Sehwag the 4/1 (5.00) joint favourites to be their side's top scorer. Neither man made an impression on Wednesday but they are too good to fail all the time and they will be doubly keen to get some runs on the board this time round.

Brian Lara, who made a duck, and Kumar Sanggakara, who was the only batsman to show any real form on Wednesday with 64, are both 9/2 (5.50) chances, while West Indies opener Chris Gayle, who did not play in the opening match is just 5/1 (6.00). Rahul Dravid and Kevin Pietersen are both 11/2 (6.50), while Andrew Flintoff, the only other man to make an impression with the bat in his 38, is a generous price at 7/1 (8.00). Shahdi Afridi, who can blow hot and cold, is an 8/1 (9.00) bet, but that seems awfully tight when he's likely to bat at number eight, at the highest.