Odds slashed for England win

After another outstanding display on the second day at Edgbaston, England have been slashed to 7/10 (1.70) to win the second Test and square the Ashes series. Shane Warne's dismissal of Andrew Strauss will have given Australia hope of a comeback win, but with England 124 runs ahead and with nine wickets in hand, the tourists are now 5/4 (2.25) to win, having begun the day at 9/10 (1.90). With three days still to play and with the weather seemingly set fair, the draw has been pushed right out to 14/1 (15.00).

The omens are good for England, if the statistics are to be believed, that is. The highest total made by a team batting last to win a Test match at Edgbaston is just 208, which came in the game against New Zealand in 1999.

bet365 are offering 5/6 (1.83) that England make 270 or more in their second innings, while Marcus Trescothick, who top scored in the first innings with a swashbuckling 90, is 5/6 (1.83) to make more than 51, having already smashed a quickfire 19. Matthew Hoggard, who survived four balls of Warne to see out the day, is not expected to get too many, with bet365 making it 5/6 (1.83) that he gets more than 7.5, and the same price for 7 or less.