Sport - The Ashes 2nd Test Adelaide (preview)

Two of the last three Tests in Adelaide (against W.Indies and India) have finished in a draw. Given Adelaide's propensity for producing a batting paradise on days one and two and a weather forecast that suggests interrupted play (storms are predicted) on the last three days, the draw would seem odds-on here. Which makes Blue Square's offer of 11-10 the draw look quite favourable. The only hiccup to this theory would be a team batting first, racking up a huge score, and then the team batting second to bat quite poorly - twice. As both teams are likely to go in batsmen heavy with only four frontline bowlers I'd suggest the draw is a pretty good bet at this stage.

"Shut the door on the way out Mitch"

One Aussie bowler certainly not taking part is Mitchell Johnson. Spearhead of the attack for the last three years he now finds himself the Harmison of 2010, spraying the ball all over the place and surplus to requirements. The rumour is that Hilfenhaus's place is no more safe than Johnson's which would leave the Aussies free to call up Bollinger and Harris. It would also look like panic. More likely is that Hilfenhaus retains his place and Aus have to choose between the out-of-favour Bollinger and the Adelaide specialist Harris. I'm betting on Harris, but if that decision backfires they will look in total disarray come the Third Test. It's a big call for Ponting and co and not one I'm convinced they will get right.

England, on the other hand, are a settled unit. At least until the next batting collapse. With only Collingwood really failing to contribute anything in the First Test it would be a major surprise if they didn't name the same XI for Adelaide. Despite his failure in Brisbane, maybe even because of it, Collingwood may be good value at 7-1 (widely available) to be top England batsman in the first innings. Last time he was here he made 206 and shared a 300 stand with Pietersen. Win the toss, bat first, and this would again become possible. And two more hot days of demoralised bowling would come close to making the Aussies grovel. We live in hope.

"Look! There's Mitch in Row 22."