No change in odds after warm up rounds

A William Hill spokesman indicated that despite topsy turvy performances in the warm up matches -- South Africa posted a 300-plus total, while England could only sneak past Essex by one run -- the odds on various teams remain unchanged.

"People are not too worried about what happens against county sides," the spokesman for England's leading bookmaking house said. "If Brazil lost to a club side before the football World Cup, nobody would take any notice."

The only way odds could change, he said, was if a key player broke down with injury in one of the warmup games.

For now, South Africa remain favourites at 5-2, Australia comes next at 10-3, followed by Pakistan (7-2) while home team England is 5-1. Then come the Windies, at 8-1, followed by reigning champions Sri Lanka and former champions India at 10-1.

Scotland and Bangladesh bring up the rear at 500-1.