mvaughan

As England rack up the runs on day two in Melbourne, Michael Vaughan can see no way back for the Aussies. He does however have some sympathy for Ricky Ponting.

After dominant performances with ball and bat, the fourth Ashes Test is England's all the way. I thought they were the value bet at the start of the Test and, after two terrific days, the Betfair market agrees, with Andrew Strauss' men in to 1.18 to win.

There is so much time left in the game and I think England can bowl Australia out again, probably for around 250.

There is so much pressure on the Aussies, they are playing with so little confidence and some players are playing for their places in the team. I can easily envisage them folding again in the second innings and concentrating on the fifth and final test, hoping for a fresh start in Sydney.

Over all, England have dominated. Australia recovered well in the third Test but there haven't really been any days in the whole series where fortunes have swung either way. One team has always been in control.

At 1.07, Jonathan Trott is almost certain to be England's first innings top batsman after scoring his fifth Test century on day two. There's no chance of England needing to bat again either so I won't be backing anyone in the England's second innings top bat market.

I'll back Chris Tremlett at 3.0 to be England's top second innings wicket taker. James Anderson is our best bowler and Tim Bresnan has performed well too but Tremlett gets extra bounce off what has so far been a good Test pitch and I expect his height to count again.

As for the Aussies, I believe the captain may yet come good at the crease. Rick Ponting is simply too good not to come to the party at some point, a player of his quality can't keep getting out cheaply and he needs a big innings.

As a former captain, I understand Ponting's frustration. He's been Australian captain for such a long time, he's under huge pressure and there is talk of disagreements over selections. I actually don't think the incident with umpire Aleem Dar was as bad as some people are making out. He's been fined 40 per cent of his match fee but some commentators have called for him to be banned, which is excessive. There has been an overreaction, he wasn't pointing his finger in the umpire's face and I think Peter Siddle got off lightly because he should have been nowhere near the conversation.

Ponting said before the series began that he would go if Australia failed to win back the Ashes. With England set to wrap up the fourth Test - probably by an innings and around 200 runs - and into 1.51 in the Series Winner market, I expect Sydney to be his final Test as captain.


Recommended bets:

Back Chris Tremlett @ 3.0 to be England's top second innings wicket taker
Back Ricky Ponting @ 5.0 to Australia's top second innings batsman

Read Michael Vaughan’s Ashes opinions by visiting http://betting.betfair.com/cricket/ashes-betting/