KP fired up to top runs chart

Sports and Showbiz betting

DESPITE doubts over the fitness of Freddie Flintoff, England are hot favourites to win their four-match Test series against the West Indies, which gets under way in Jamaica next Wednesday.

The tourists, who are adjusting to life under new captain Andrew Strauss, need Flintoff in their side to provide bowling hostility, quick runs and, above all, balance to the team.

But even if the great man is sidelined, England should have too much fire power for a Windies team shorn of top all-rounder and inspiration, Dwayne Bravo.

England are 4-6 to win the series, but the most logical bet is the 9-4 about Kevin Pietersen being their top batsman.

KP will be doubly focused following his unfair sacking as skipper and is simply different class to the rest of the England batsmen.

As for the Windies top scorer, look no further than the resilient Shivnarine Chanderpaul who, like Pietersen, is in a different league to the likes of Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Co.

He may be only 7-4, but by my reckoning he should be an even money shot.

On the bowling front, Flintoff would be value at 3-1 but for his injury niggle, while Steve Harmison (7-2) would come into consideration if only you could be guaranteed his best efforts.

Monty Panesar at 7-1 is interesting, but such is the fragility of the Windies batting that much of the damage may have been done by the time he gets his chance.

Fidel Edwards tops the Windies market at 2-1, with Jerome Taylor on 5-2 and Darren Powell at 4-1. I suspect they may all struggle against a decent England batting line-up.

As for the first Test, England are 11-10 for victory, with the hosts on 13-5 and the draw at 9-4.

n THE Premier League “big four” have fared well in the draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup, but it’s Manchester United – facing a trip to Derby or Nottingham Forest – who top the bookies’ lists on 3-1.

Chelsea, who go to Watford, are 7-2, followed by Arsenal on 5-1 and Liverpool, who face a replay against Everton and a possible home clash with Aston Villa, out to 8-1.

Everton, this column’s selection at 28-1, are down to 20s.