VCBet on the 2nd Test of the 2005 Ashes Series

Cricket: England 9/2 to strike backMichael Vaughan's England are 9/2 to storm back into the Ashes Series with victory in the second Test that gets underway at Edgbaston on Thursday. The Three Lions were well beaten by Australia in the opening Test at Lords and will need to raise their game significantly if they are to level the best of five match series. Ricky Ponting's tourists are 8/11 to give themselves a 2-0 series lead. The draw is rated a 15/8 chance. "It will be all over if England go two down and if their batsmen don't start weighing in with some runs that looks the most likely conclusion," said VC Bet's Nick Gray. The legendary 1981 series, with an inspired Ian Botham in full flow, was the last time England won the Ashes after losing the opening Test. "All the heroes looked to be on the Australian side at Lords with Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne grabbing the headlines," he added. England have won the Ashes on just four occasions after losing the opening Test - in 1888, 1912, 1955 and 1981. Warne and McGrath's superb form with the ball has seen the duo head the tourists' top series bowler betting with McGrath the 8/11 favourite. Series betting - Top Aussie bowler: G McGrath 8/11 S Warne 15/8 B Lee 11/2 J Gillespie 33/1 M Kasprowicz 50/1 Series outright: England 11/1 Drawn Series 8/1 Australia 1/9