Usual suspects head the Australian player markets

Australia may only begin their Ashes tour on Thursday, but bet365 have already published their prices for each team's top batsman and bowler in the five-match series. And to anyone who knows anything about recent series between the old foes, it'll come as no surprise to see the names of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden at the head of affairs.

Captain Ricky Ponting is the favourite to top the Australia batting at 3/1 (4.00), just ahead of Hayden and Langer at 7/2 (4.50) and Damien Martyn at 9/2 (5.50). Michael Clarke is 6/1 (7.00), Adam Gilchrist is 7/1 (8.00) and Simon Katich 17/2 (8.50). On past Ashes series alone, that's a slight surprise, given that Ponting's best return is 417 in Australia last time out, but that was only good enough for third as Hayden and Langer plundered runs like there was no tomorrow.

Though Ponting averages 56.50 in Tests, he actually averages just 41 in Ashes contests, and 44 in England. However, Ponting was the top Australia scorer in their last series against Pakistan, so perhaps the bookies are going on current form.

With series batting markets, I always feel that the openers should be the favourites, given that they are more likely than any others to bat twice in each Test. Hayden, who topped the scoring in the last series Down Under, with 496 runs, averages more than 53 in Tests, but has been going through a poor run of late, averaging just 31 in his past 10 Tests.

In contrast, Langer has been a changed man since altering his style to become more aggressive a few years ago. His average is now more than 46, while in his past 10 matches, it's a whopping 61. He also topped the scoring in the series against New Zealand at the turn of the year. Damien Martyn had a great series in India a couple of years ago and his average in his past 10 Tests is 71, while his overall average is a superb 51. Martyn also was second only to Mark Waugh in the last Ashes series in England in 2001, though the main downside with him is the fact that he bats at four.

The same arguments apply to Michael Clarke, whose Test career began with a bang but who's dipped a little recently. However, just because Gilchrist bats at seven, don't let that put you off. In the past two Ashes series, Gilchrist has made 333 and 340 runs, and if, as is likely, Bet365 open up their prices to pay out on the top three, then he could be a value each-way bet.

Bowler markets
Bet365 must have had a tough time deciding who to make favourite to be Australia's top wicket-taker, but in the end they plumped for Shane Warne at 5/4 (2.25) with Glenn McGrath a narrow second favourite at 11/8 (2.37). Jason Gillespie, probably the most under-rated of the Australia bowlers, is 11/2 (6.50), while Michael Kasprowicz is 6/1 (7.00) and Brett Lee 13/2 (7.50). Stuart MacGill, whose opportunities are likely to be limited, is 14/1.

As the world record-holder in Test wickets, Warne perhaps deserves favouritism on that alone. His record against England is excellent, with 132 wickets in just 26 matches at 23, but the only time he actually topped the wickets was on his Ashes debut in 1993, the series famous for "that" ball against Mike Gatting.

In contrast, McGrath has topped the wicket takers in both of the past two Ashes tours and clearly relishes English conditions. The ageing paceman is still the world's best, and he's already been winding up the England team as to who will be his first victim of the series, and therefore his 500th in all. In 109 Tests, McGrath averages just 21, and against England, it's even better at 20.03. The fact that he gets first crack at England, with the new ball, only enhances his chances, and his ability to swing the ball and his perfect control make him better value than Warne.

Gillespie, an 11/2 (6.50) chance, actually topped the wicket-takers in the last Ashes series in 2002/3, but the problem with him is whether he will actually play all the Tests, given his horrendous run of bad luck with injuries. Kasprowicz and Lee will be competing for the fourth seamer's spot, which explains their slightly longer prices, while MacGill may not play a single Test if Warne remains injury free.