Ponting primed for Adelaide show

Matthew Hayden's return to form sees him top the Australian batting markets © Getty Images

Given that it seems like it will take an act of God to stop Australia beating West Indies in the third Test in Adelaide, starting on Friday, it is again worth looking at the player markets for a smidgeon of value. The whitewash is a near-certainty, but the Australia batsmen will be licking their lips at the prospect of plundering more runs from the hapless West Indies attack.

Captain Ricky Ponting again tops the betting on 7/2 (4.50), but he is only a joint favourite this time round, as the rejuvenated Matthew Hayden is also the same price. The left-hander hit a century at Hobart and looks back on form after a recent poor run, so will be confident of more success. Fit-again Justin Langer is next at 4/1 (5.00) while Michael Hussey, who effectively replaces Michael Clarke, is 5/1 (6.00). Brad Hodge is 13/2 (7.50) while Andrew Symonds is 7/1 (8.00) and Adam Gilchrist, who is due a big innings, is a tempting 15/2 (8.50).

Ponting averages 56 at the Adelaide Oval, almost exactly the same as his overall mark; Hayden's average is also in the mid-50s there, but Gilchrist has struggled there in the past, averaging just 29, compared with his overall mark of 51.89.

As for the hapless West Indies, the out-of-form Brian Lara is 4/1 (5.00) favourite to be top runscorer in the first innings. Lara, of course, is capable of great things at any time, and there are some who say his best performances these days come when the series is already over and the pressure is not quite so high. If he's going to produce, it could be at the Adelaide Oval, where he hit 182 last time in 2000/2001 and where he averages 61 in his three Tests. Chris Gayle, who has looked one of the better batsmen on show, is next at 9/2 (5.50) while captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan are both 5/1 (6.00) chances. Dwayne Bravo, who hit a century in the second Test, is 9/1 (10.00).

Shane Warne deserves his favouritism in the Man of the Match market, where he is 13/2 (6.50), though he has taken 44 wickets in 11 Tests in Adelaide, slightly below his overall average. One other thing. bet365 have introduced a new market on this one, making it 7/2 (4.50) that Australia do not win, 1/9 (1.11) that the draw doesn't happen and 1/100 (1.01) that West Indies do not win. Don't bet on any of them.