Hales 11/1 to take Man of the Match award

Alex Hales is desperate to make a favourable impression in the first ODI in Abu Dhabi as England try to put behind them the disappointment of a 2-0 defeat against Pakistan in the Test series.

It would not only cement his place in England's OD! team but also put him in pole position for an opener's role in the South Africa Test series. He would have to improve a modest ODI recvord in which he has made only two fifties in 20 ODIs.

Bet365.com are quite optimistic than he can make an immediate impression. Hales is third favourite, at 11/1, to be named man of the match. Hales' England team-mate Joe Root and Yasir Shah, the Pakistan legspinner who made such an impact in the Test series are 10/1 JF.

Alastair Cook might have lost the toss in all three Tests, but bet365.com doesn't take the view that he is star-crossed. Instead, both sides are quoted as hard-headedly as ever at 10/11. There will be some weary England fast bowlers who will push logic to one side and insist he should be longer odds than that.