Bookies bashed by India win

If you were unfortunate to be on the end of an important toss at Trent Bridge after having backed England, at least you can console yourself with the news that the bookmakers took a pounding. India's seven-wicket win was bad for the layers as punters piled into them once Rahul Dravid won the toss to give his bowlers use of ideal conditions. Ladbrokes reported a £100,000 loss as India knocked off the winning runs to beat England by seven wickets and take a 1-0 lead with one to play in the best-of-three series. The firm are taking no chances and make India 8-15 to win the series. Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "Given the weather we've been having all eyes are on the forecast and we will not have the match prices until we know a little more - but the visitors have to be odds on for the series." Bet365 and William Hill are not being so shy. England are rated as 6-4 shots to level the series by Bet365 with India 3-1 and the draw 11-8. "England can take a number of positives from their performance despite the loss," said Rupert Adams of Hills, who are shortest at 6-5 about an England victory. Sporting Odds are a best price of 9-5. If India clinch the series it will be their first triumph in England since 1986. Michael Vaughan, who hit an elegant century at Trent Bridge, is 9-2 with Betfred to top score for the hosts in the first innings. Kevin Pietersen, whose poor run of form in Nottingham continued, is 7-2 favourite with Stan James on the ground where he played the innings of a lifetime against Australia. Rahul Dravid, who has been a huge disappointment to his army of backers with just 59 runs, must surely fancy his chances of a big score on the flat Oval surface. He is 10-3 with Betfred to top score for India in the first innings.