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Vaughan ready for big innings

The third Test, which begins in Lahore on Tuesday, is arguably England's biggest challenge in recent memory. Having won the Ashes in stunning style, Michael Vaughan's side will not want to come away with Pakistan with nothing, but they have to win in Laho

Simon Cambers
Michael Vaughan is due a big innings - will he lead from the front at Lahore? © Getty Images
The third Test, which begins in Lahore on Tuesday, is arguably England's biggest challenge in recent memory. Having won the Ashes in stunning style, Michael Vaughan's side will not want to come away with Pakistan with nothing, but they have to win in Lahore to draw the series 1-1.

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In each of the first two Tests, England have shown enough ability to do just that, but they find themselves 1-0 down with two to play, and beating Pakistan on home soil is hard enough without the home side only needing to play for a draw on their slow pitches. Expect plenty of delaying tactics from Inzamam and co. England are 9/4 (3.25) for victory while Pakistan are 23/10 (3.30) and the draw - the result last time the two sides met in Lahore - is the favourite at 21/20 (2.05).

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Marcus Trescothick and Ashley Giles are the only members of the side to have played a Lahore Test and though Trescothick hit a fine half-century, that is not much to go on as far as the betting to be England's top scorer in the first innings. One thing is certain, though, and that's that England will have to be on top form if they're to claim victory.

With Andrew Strauss back in England for the birth of his child, captan Vaughan is likely to open the innings, while Ian Bell and the untried Alastair Cooke are other options. Trescothick is favourite at 3/1 (4.00) while Vaughan and Pietersen, the latter who hit form in Islamabad, are both 9/2 (5.50). Vaughan is due a big innings and it could just be that being restored to the top of the order will focus his mind. Bell is 5/1 (6.00) and Andrew Flintoff is 11/2 (6.50). Cook, should he be picked, is a none-too-generous 6/1 (7.00), while Paul Collingwood is 13/2 (7.50).

For Pakistan, top man Inzamam heads the betting on 11/4 (3.75) having shown again in this series that he is a man for the big occasion. In eight Tests there, he averages well over 60 and his last two innings at the Gaddafi Stadium read 329 and 118. England had better hope they can get him early. Mohammad Yousuf is next at 4/1 (5.00) while Younis Khan is 9/2 (5.50) and Salman Butt, another centurion in this series, is 5/1 (6.00). Shoaib Malik is 11/2 (6.50).

Flintoff, Trescothick and Inzamam share favouritism to be Man of the Match at 9/1 (10.00) but I have a sense - whether it means anything will be clear one way or the other - that Vaughan is ready to produce one of his trademark big innings, and if he does, then the 14/1 (15.00) on him to be Man of the Match could be worth taking.

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.

Simon Cambers is Cricinfo's new betting correspondent