Lara & Gilchrist underpriced in Hobart?

Adam Gilchrist looks good value in bet365's player performance markets © Getty Images

Australia are huge favourites to beat the hapless West Indians in the second Test, which starts on Thursday in Hobart, but though there is little value in the outright markets, it may be worth looking at some of the player performance markets. With bet365 awarding 1pt per run, 20 pts per wicket, 10 pts per catch and 25 pts per stumping, there is ample chance to get involved on some of the individuals who will be performing in Hobart.

Let's start with Shane Warne. The world's best spin bowler - and leading Test wicket-taker - has taken 24 wickets in five matches in Hobart and his average of just under five wickets per Test carries right across his 130 Test appearances. In the first Test, he would have totalled 167 on bet365's format, and it is partly because of the first Test that he is put as a 5/6 (1.83) chance to get 160 or more, while he is the same price to fall short. 160 is a big total in this market, but if anyone is capable of doing it again, it's Warne.

Things to bear in mind, though, are that the weakness of the West Indies squad means that he is unlikely to bat more than once, especially if Australia bat first. Also, if Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee rip through the top order, the pickings for Warne would be relatively slim. However, Warne is, to my mind, the best bowler in the world to tail-enders, and he is well capable.

Captain Ricky Ponting scored 253 runs in the first Test, so it's slightly surprising that bet365 make him 5/6 (1.83) to get 99 or more in Hobart. Again, though, if Australia bat only once, he only has to fail once and you would be in trouble. A better bet could be Adam Gilchrist, at 5/6 (1.83) to make 122 or more. Gilchrist could do that with the bat alone, but as wicket-keeper he should get plenty of catches, and could even nab a stumping worth 25 points - which is even more of a possibility if Stuart MacGill, who is a prodigious turner of the ball, is chosen to play. Gilchrist totalled 104 in Brisbane, where he only batted once.

If West Indies are to have any chance, then the likelihood is that Brian Lara will get runs and the great left-hander is due a big innings.Hobart should suit him, and if he gets going then bet365 will probably rue their offer of 5/6 (1.83) for him to get 82 points or more. Considering that he has the safest pair of hands in the West Indies side, and that he is almost certain to bat twice, then 5/6 to get 82 or more is not a bad price at all.

Of the others, Brett Lee, who made 167 in the first Test, is 5/6 (1.83) to make 109 or more, while West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul is the same price to get 69 or better. All the aforementioned are also 5/6 (1.83) not to achieve their targets.