ODI preview / Ed Hawkins / 25 January 2011 /

The sides clash again in Adelaide on Wednesday morning with Australia needing a win to wrap up the series. Ed Hawkins previews the contest. Follow him on Twitter here

Team news
England welcome back in the nick of time James Anderson from a 10-day break with his family. Trailing 3-0 with four matches to play, it is now or never for the tourists as they bid to turn their one-day fortunes around.

Anderson adds experience to a naive bowling attack with 133 matches under his belt but in reality the bowlers have not been the problem. The batting has been poor. Kevin Pietersen at least returns from a groin injury while Michael Yardy could make way for Paul Collingwood to add depth. Graeme Swann has returned home with a knee problem.

For Australia, Shaun Tait (thigh) and Mitchell Johnson (throat infection ... seriously?) are doubts. Brett Lee, man of the match in Sydney, and Doug Boillinger, four wickets at Adelaide last time, should again take the new ball.

Venue and conditions
Adelaide's reputation for easy Test match runs does not carry over into the one-day arena. The average score in the last 10 first-innings is 221. No side has passed 300 since West Indies in 2005. With neither batting unit really firing, a play of innings runs could be the way to go. We should look to lay whichever side bats first for 275 or more, especially in the aftermath of a successful powerplay.

Match odds
Australia have won six of their last eight limited-overs games on Australia Day as the patriotic fervour gets the blood pumping. They are [1.81] to extend the run with England [2.22].

Throughout the series we have been keen on England, reckoning that the price gulf has not been justified in terms of ability. But we're growing a little weary of being let down, just as they are growing weary of the tour itself. England have won only once at the venue, way back in 1983.

With the prices as they are, however, there is great potential for trading either side. There is no doubt that those odds could very well flip flop throughout an innings and the patient punter can cash in. All one needs to do is remember not to overreact to runs or wickets in clusters.

The biggest pointer for traders is a toss bias when it comes to day-nighters: 17 from 28 have been won by the side batting first.

Top batsman
Michael Clarke, with 344 runs at 68, is Australia's heaviest runscorer at the ground in the last five years. His average of 18 in the series does not impress, however. He is [6.60] to be top bat and [2.24] for a 50.

Shane Watson, leading runscorer in the series, is [4.10] for honours and [2.20] for a 50. David Hussey also has a good record in Adelaide, averaging 51 from two starts. He is [6.20] and [2.20] respectively.

Andrew Strauss is [4.60] jolly for top England bat with Pietersen [4.70]. Jonathan Trott, top bat in Sydney, is [5.10].

Featured market
Matt Prior, with two ducks in his two outings, is having a horrible time. The definition of a confidence player, he could be worth laying at around the [3.00] mark to score a 50. Expected to play with freedom at the top of the order, he could feel tighter and tighter. He is [6.60] for top bat.

Featured market
There have been only two centuries in the last five years (11 matches) at Adelaide. That gives a potential opening to lay the [3.00] available about a centurion.

Recommended bet: lay side batting 1st for 275 more

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