Langer favourite to outscore opening partner

It's dangerous to rely too much on statistics in cricket betting, but Justin Langer looks a tempting proposition to outscore his opening partner Matthew Hayden in the first innings of the second Test at Edgbaston this week. Despite arriving on tour late, Langer has settled in quickly and though Hayden outscored him at the weekend against Worcestershire, I wouldn't read too much into that as even Jason Gillespie got a half-century.

There's no disputing that Hayden is a world-class batsman, even if he gets away with a minor lack of technique by simply bullying the bowlers and wielding his huge bat as if his life depended upon it. But the fact is that he is nowhere near at the top of his form and he is lacking in confidence.

In contrast, Langer has picked up where he left off in 2004 and the early part of 2005. In his past 20 Tests, he averages 49.88 and has lifted his overall average through the 46 mark, whereas Hayden averages 44.71 for his past 20 Tests (still good, don't get me wrong), but it's well down from his overall average of 52.40, which was closer to 55 before his recent 'slump'. It's more than a year since he scored a Test hundred and it appears to be getting to him just a little.

However, as said, statistics can be misleading and if we look at the past 10 Tests Australia have played in, they have outscored each other five times apiece. But if you're going to go on form, and that's really all that's left, then Langer at 4/5 (1.80) looks slightly better than an out-of-sorts Hayden, even at 9/10 (1.90). Now I've said that, watch Hayden smash a double century at Edgbaston.

England's opening partnership
Australia's openers outscored England's in the first innings at Lord's, and with Glenn McGrath in such superb form, it's hard to see Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss surviving long enough to get even this time round. The Aussies are 8/13 (1.61), while England are 6/5 (2.20) to have the highest score at the fall of the first wicket.

Trescothick and Strauss are also 5/6 (1.83) apiece in a match-bet between themselves in the first innings, but that's just too tough to call. I think McGrath has Trescothick scared already and if I had to bet I'd go for Strauss, who's an altogether tidier batsman. However, there's not much in it and you're better off keeping your powder dry for more attractive markets.

bet365's other special market available so far is the Man of the Match award, but this again is licence to print money for the bookmakers, in my opinion. McGrath and Warne top the market, predictably, at 7/1 (8.00), while Ricky Ponting at 15/2 (8.50) and Brett Lee at 8/1 (9.00) are next and you have to hit sixth favourite before you find England's first offering, Steve Harmison, who's 10/1 (11.00). Ashley Giles, who'll be playing on his home ground, is 25/1 (26.00) to answer his critics in the best possible way.

CAMBERS' CALL: Justin Langer to outscore Matthew Hayden in the 1st Innings - 4/5 (1.80)

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