ENGLAND LIONS VS AUSTRALIA CRICKET BETTING TIPS

In a bit of a preview of some of the action we'll be seeing during the 2009 Ashes, England Lions are set to take on Ricky Ponting's Australia side in a four day match in Worcester. The match comes a day after Michael Vaughan, architect of the 2005 Ashes victory, announced his retirement from the international game- a move that doesn't really surprise many people given the former captains current level of competitiveness. Had he been able to produce the form necessary for inclusion during the county season this year, it may have been a different story, but I suspect he will be enjoying his central contract until the next ones are issued. Regardless, we're here to make money and Australia are the odds-on favourites at 8/15 with England Lions sitting at 11/8. This is a bit of a "B" Team for England but there are a few players in this that will be making appearances at the Ashes, but what it really should be is a chance to look at the strategies and techniques that the Aussies will employ before they take on our proper boys at Cardiff next week. Ian Bell is listed at 7/2 to be named top England 1st innings runscorer with Joe Denly coming in at 4/1 alongside Vikram Solanki. Eoin Morgan, who made a few appearances during the twenty20 world cup, is listed at 5/1 alongside David Moore. Ricky Ponting is at 7/2 while Simon Katich comes in at 4/1. Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey are both listed at 5/1 with Brad Haddin sitting at 8/1. This one will likely be either of Ponting or Katich, but I actually fancy Ponting to go down pretty early in this one. Australia are 8/11 to have the highest opening partnership and 4/7 to lead after the first innings. Ponting has the slight edge over Simon Katich in the Australian match betting with a 6/4 price against Katich's 15/8. I would keep my eye on Graham Onions to make some important breakthroughs in this four day match.