Money flows for bowling duo

Marcus Trescothick will hope to use his experience in Pakistan this winter © Getty Images

If the outright markets for the series in Pakistan have remained pretty solid over the last few weeks, there has been a little more action in the player markets surrounding the England players in the three-Test series.

With Simon Jones - who had been expected to do well with his use of reverse swing in the dry, dusty conditions - ruled out, Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison have both been cut to be England's top bowler. Flintoff is now a 13/8 (2.62) chance with bet365, from 2/1 (3.00), while Harmison is a 15/8 (2.87) bet, in from 13/5 (3.40). Both men have shown good form in the ICC Super Series Test, but I have a feeling that Harmison may struggle in Pakistan as the pitches favour the skiddier type of bowler more than those who rely on extra bounce for their wickets. Jones would have been ideal, but England's options are now limited somewhat.

When England won 1-0 in 2000/2001, Ashley Giles was the main man, taking 17 wickets in the three Tests. The left-armer has been at his most effective overseas in recent years and he can again expect to do a lot of bowling in the hot, dusty conditions. In all, 74 of his 137 wickets have come away from England, and bet365 now make him just 7/2 (4.50), from 4/1 (5.00) to finish on top this time round.

Shaun Udal, called up to the squad at the age of 36, is a fine bowler, but England are still unlikely to play two spinners in any match, so unless Giles gets injured, then I doubt there will be too many takers at 9/1 (10.00), from 12/1 (13.00), while the same can be said for James Anderson, a 10/1 (11.00) shot, from 12/1 (13.00) who may still be carrying the drinks more often than turning his arm over.

Marcus Trescothick, who together with Ashley Giles is the only member of the England squad to have played in a previous series in Pakistan, remains the firm favourite to be the top England runscorer at 100/30 (4.33). Trescothick showed he is a player of real ability against Australia this summer, but I have a feeling that the slow pitches will not suit his attacking nature and 100/30 seems very tight to me.

Andrew Strauss, less of a strokeplayer than Trescothick but more of an accumulator, is 7/2 (4.50), as is captain Michael Vaughan, another who may not be able to play to his usual attacking style. Kevin Pietersen, top scorer against Australia, is a 4/1 (5.00) chance, while Andrew Flintoff is 6/1 (7.00) and Ian Bell 10/1 (11.00).