Ready, Steady, Freddie

The World XI take on Australia in the first one-day match of the ICC Super Series at Melbourne on Wednesday with the hosts determined to prove that they are still the undisputed champions despite the Ashes loss. 

Australia, led by Ricky Ponting, will be under pressure to preserve their reputation as three-time World Champions and the number one Test team following the stunning defeat in England this summer when they lost the Ashes.

The Super Series consists of three ODIs, with the second and third to be played on October 7 and 9, followed by a six-day Super Test from October 14 to 19.

The series will also witness trial of several innovative concepts including option for on-field umpires to refer decisions, including those on leg before wicket.

All in all it should be an absolutely fascinating encounter with cricket fans all round the world regardless of time zone tuning into this fascinating contest.

With the Aussies struggling of late and the a whole host of world class talent on show for the visitors, it is the world eleven who go into the first match as favourites.

Deciding who is going to win the opening match is too much of a lottery, so we should concentrate our efforts elsewhere. Having done so well for bettingchoice in the Ashes, Andrew Flintoff is worth backing at 8/1 to be man of the match.

The England allrounder will be high in confidence and feared by the opposition, many of whom have fallen time and again to the future BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2005.

Having boosted the coffers by thirty points last month, the advice is to re-invest a point in Flintoff to once again prove the outstanding player in all disciplines.