Openers have the edge

After the first round of matches, the bookmakers will be reassessing their odds for the top runscorer and wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy, with Stephen Fleming and Adam Gilchrist sure to be cut after their performances in their respective opening matches.

Bet365's market concerned just 18 players - leaving out anyone who played for Sri Lanka and West Indies, who had the advantage of playing three matches to qualify for the main event.

Of those 18, Fleming made a fine 89 while Gilchrist went even better with 92, even though it was not enough to save Australia from defeat. Bet365 have yet to release their updated prices but because of New Zealand's win, it's likely that Fleming will be ahead of Gilchrist in the betting.

In the bowling markets, expect to see Abdul Razzaq's price slashed after his four wickets helped Pakistan to victory over Sri Lanka in their first match.

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It doesn't take a genius to work out that the more a batsman spends at the middle, the more likely he is to score heavily. And anyone looking to have a bet on the top runscorer in the Champions Trophy, which begins for real on Sunday, should look no further than the top two in each of the eight teams.

In all four of the previous incarnations of the event, the leading runscorer in the competition has been an opener - in 1998 it was Philo Wallace of West Indies; in 2000 Sourav Ganguly of India; in 2002 Virender Sehwag of India, and last time in 2004, it was Marcus Trescothick of England.

With two groups of four teams, each side is assured of three games at least, with a maximum of five for the two that make the final. Needless to say, the leading runscorer will probably come from one of the finalists, but with Australia, India and England in the same group, it could well come from the other one.

India superstar Sachin Tendulkar, who has been in outstanding form since his return from injury, tops the betting at 11/2 (6.50), but he shares favouritism with Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who will bat at three, in a market which includes just 18 players.

Adam Gilchrist, who is certain to open for the Aussies, is 13/2 (7.50), while India captain Rahul Dravid is 10/1 (11.00), the same price as his opener Sehwag, with England's Kevin Pietersen, Australia's Mike Hussey, Graeme Smith of South Africa and South Africa's Jacques Kallis all 14/1 (15.00).

On the other hand, for teams whose openers are not that reliable, like Pakistan, their middle order batsmen could be popular in the market. Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf, both destructive batsmen, are big prices at 18-1, especially as they are in the easier group, on paper at least.

Top bowler
Brett Lee is favourite to be the top wicket-taker, at 100/30 (4.33) while Shoaib Akhtar is 6/1 (7.00), Shane Bond 7/1 (8.00) and Harbhajan Singh 8/1 (9.00). Home advantage could see plenty of money for the Indian bowlers, with Irfan Pathan 12/1 (13.00).

Glenn McGrath will be tempting at 14/1 (15.00) but he will be working on his rhythm ahead of the Ashes - his main goal - while Shaun Pollock is 16/1 (17.00) and Steve Harmison could be overpriced at 18/1 (19.00).