Pietersen and Langer tipped for Edgbaston runs

The first Test may have been all about Australia but if the early markets are anything to go by, the second Test could be all about Kevin Pietersen, with the Hampshire man installed at 7/2 (4.50) to be England's top scorer in the first innings. Two half-centuries on his debut at Lord's showed those who had him down as a one-day international wonder were, at the very least, pessimistic. In fact, many believe he could be the best thing to happen to England in a long time.

A word of caution though. I struggle to see how, even on the back of his two excellent innings at Lord's, he should be at the top of a market which includes other, more experienced - and proven - Test batsmen. Admittedly, Michael Vaughan has been struggling of late but this is the same man who smashed more than 600 runs in the last Ashes series in Australia, who averages 45 in Tests and who is his side's classiest batsmen. Yet he is 9/2 (5.50) to be the top scorer. Equally, openers Andrew Strauss and Marcus Trescothick are both proven performers at the highest level but, as they both received a tough time at Lord's, they are both 4/1 (5.00).

Ian Bell, who looked a little overawed at Lord's, is 11/2 (6.50) while Andrew Flintoff, who will come good with the bat sooner rather than later, is 6/1. Geraint Jones, whose place in the side is reportedly under threat, is 12/1 (13.00).

If anything, Strauss should be the favourite, as in England's last 12 Tests, he has top scored four times in the first innings. Next best is the now-retired Graham Thorpe and Flintoff with two each, while, of the current line-up, Trescothick and Bell have topped the list once apiece.

For Australia, bet365 have clearly done their homework as they make Justin Langer the 7/2 (4.50) favourite ahead of his captain Ricky Ponting, who's 4/1 (5.00). Not only did left-handed opener Langer top score first up at Lord's, he has also come out on top on three other occasions in Australia's last 12 Tests. Ponting has top-scored three times, as has Damien Martyn, who is a 9/2 (5.50) third favourite. Michael Clarke is 6/1 (7.00) and Adam Gilchrist is 8/1 (9.00) - they have also headed this market once apiece, while the only members of the top six not to top-score in those 12 Tests are Simon Katich and Matthew Hayden.

It is understandable that Katich, who is a 13/2 (7.50) shot, hasn't managed it as he often has to bat with the tail, but Hayden is more of a surprise. The left-hander has certainly been out of touch in recent times, but he's still rated as 9/2 (5.50) chance to come out on top.

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