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The 3rd Test between England and the West Indies gets underway from Old Trafford this week and looks like being another very one-sided affair. The visitors suffered their biggest test defeat ever at Headingley when thrashed by an innings and 283 runs. Although the Windies were without their skipper Sarwan and arguably their best batsman Chanderpaul, their cricket has now hit an all-time low. England are already as short as 1/66 to wrap up a series victory and I really fancy them to win the remaining two tests. The 5/4 on offer at Ladbrokes about a 3-0 series win is terrific value if the weather improves.

England’s batting line up has gone from strength to strength against one of the weakest test bowling attacks around. Several of the top order have flourished and in only two tests the hosts have already racked up seven centuries, including one magnificent double by Kevin Pietersen. Without Sarwan for the rest of the series, a whitewash now looks inevitable. If you are looking for a small investment at a much bigger price then it may be worth having a few quid on Darren Sammy to be the top West Indian Bowler. Sammy is yet to be given his test match debut, but may start in Manchester and has the advantage of having played some cricket in England before. Coach David Moore, who is under increasing pressure, surely has to change things around. If Sammy is thrown into the mix, after a few wickets, that 33/1 might seem massive value.

Away from cricket and we’re off to Canada on Sunday for the next round of the Formula One Championship. I hope you won a few quid on Alonso in Monaco (advised 9/4) when the Spaniard made every yard from pole. Amazingly, the McLarens dominated and beat Ferrari by over one minute. However, Canada will be different as Ferrari’s Jean Todt had been quick to point out. ‘We all know that Monte Carlo is a specific place,’ Todt told Ferrari’s official website. ‘Take last year’s race and the one before and you will see that the 2006 Monte Carlo race was different to Canada, two weeks afterwards. I would say we have some history, some documentation about that.’ Ferrari do have a point, but their morale must be desperate. McLaren on the other hand are flying high and with an 18-point haul for a crushing one-two finish in Monte Carlo, the Silver arrows will again be the team to beat. Alonso and Hamilton will be short- priced favourites for Canada and I think the better value may well be to give Ferrari one more chance.

Kimi Raikkonen blew his chances of winning in Monaco by crunching a steering arm in qualifying and had to start from sixteenth on the grid. He did manage to finish in the points and he will be desperate to make amends in Canada. The 21-year-old Finn has a good record in Montreal, having finished on the podium for the last two years including winning in 2005, and will do everything he can to repeat his previous success. I advise backing him each way as soon as the prices are available at around 6/1 or bigger.

The Stella Artois Championship at Queen’s Club starts on Monday and this year’s tournament seems set to be a cracker with great names like Hewitt, Roddick, Murray and Henman all set to play. However, the man they all have to beat is Rafael Nadal. Although not his favourite surface, the Spanish sensation improved massively on this grass last year at Wimbledon and looks set to be Federer’s main danger again. I expect him to win at Queen’s before going on to challenge for the Wimbledon title. For those of you looking for good value, I’d be interested in Mario Ancic at a much bigger price.

This week’s trades:

Cricket:

England v West Indies

5pts England to win series 3-0 at 5/4 (Ladbrokes)

Trading strategy – look to lay back stake after 3rd test

0.5 pts e/w Darren Sammy Top West Indian Series Bowler at 33/1 (Bet365)

Trading strategy – look to lay back stake after 3rd test

Formula 1:

Canadian Grand Prix –

1pt e/w Kimi Raikkonen at 6/1 or bigger

Most recent trades:

02/06/07 -2pts Archipenko (The Derby)

01/06/07 +20pts Light Shift (The Oaks)

27/05/07 +9pts Alonso (Monaco Grand Prix)

19/05/07 +14pts no goalscorer in FA Cup Final

Performance – 41 winning bets from 72 recommended bets (since Sports Trader began on 9 November 2006)

Profit – +250pts to advised stakes since start