Peter Crouch’s odds of partnering Wayne Rooney in England’s World Cup opener have been cut to 13/8 (from 3/1) after the Spurs striker kept up his impressive international scoring record by notching the second goal in England’s 3-1 victory over Mexico, taking him to 21 goals in 38 appearances.

A strike force of Emile Heskey and Rooney had previously been favoured for England’s first match against the USA on June 12 but that partnership is now out to 11/4 (from 7/4) after Heskey was left on the bench for England’s penultimate warm-up game.

Sky Bet's football betting expert Mike Triffitt said: “Peter Crouch has done his chances no harm with another encouraging display. He was also on target again and his strike-rate for England is second to none. Emile Heskey has been the big loser on the night and has drifted in all the markets.”

Meanwhile, the battle to start in goal in South Africa continues, with Robert Green getting the nod against Mexico and Joe Hart replacing him for the second half. Green’s solid performance saw his odds cut to 2/1 (from 3/1), while Hart has been lengthened to 5/2 (from 7/4). David James remains favourite to be handed the number one jersey against the USA but his odds have been eased to even money (from 8/11).

Next Tuesday Capello’s 30-man squad will be whittled down to 23 and Sky Bet have lengthened the odds of Theo Walcott making the squad to 11/4 (from 5/2) after he struggled to impress at Wembley. Gareth Barry will find out today if he is fit enough to make the trip to South Africa and is currently 1/2 to make the cut.

Sky Bet Odds: Who will start up front against USA?
Rooney & Crouch 13/8
Rooney & Heskey 11/4
Rooney & Defoe 3/1
Crouch & Defoe 12/1
Heskey & Defoe 14/1
Crouch & Heskey 20/1
Rooney & Cole 33/1
Defoe & Cole 50/1
Heskey & Cole 66/1
Crouch & Cole 66/1

To Be In The Final 23 England World Cup 2010 Squad
King, L. 1/25
Carragher J 1/25
Lennon, A 1/16
Walcott, T 1/8
Heskey, E 1/5
Baines, L 1/4
Upson M 2/5
Barry, G 1/2
Dawson, M. 4/7
Cole, J. 8/11
Johnson, A. 5/6
Huddlestone T 9/4
Bent, D. 5/2
Wright-Phillips, S. 3/1
Parker S 3/1
Warnock S 3/1
Bridge, W 50/1

England Starting XI v USA - To Start Match
James, Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Lennon, Milner, Lampard, Gerrard, Heskey & Rooney 5/1
James, Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Milner, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard, Heskey & Rooney 14/1
James, Johnson, King, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Lennon, Milner, Lampard, Gerrard, Heskey & Rooney 16/1
Green, Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Lennon, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard, Heskey & Rooney 20/1
Green, Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Lennon, Milner, Lampard, Gerrard, Heskey & Rooney 20/1
James, Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Walcott, Milner, Lampard, Gerrard, Heskey & Rooney 20/1
James, Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Milner, Carrick, Lampard, Gerrard, Heskey & Rooney 25/1
James, Johnson, Carragher, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Lennon, Milner, Lampard, Gerrard, Heskey & Rooney 28/1
James, Johnson, King, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Walcott, Milner, Lampard, Gerrard, Heskey & Rooney 33/1
Green, Johnson, King, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Lennon, Milner, Lampard, Gerrard, Heskey & Rooney 40/1
James, Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Walcott, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard, Defoe & Rooney 50/1
James, Johnson, Carragher, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Milner, Carrick, Lampard, Gerrard, Heskey & Rooney 50/1
James, Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Walcott, Carrick, Lampard, Gerrard, Defoe & Rooney 66/1

To Start in First World Cup Game against USA
Rooney W 1/66
Terry J 1/66
Cole A 1/50
Lampard F 1/50
Gerrard S 1/50
Johnson G 1/16
Ferdinand R 1/8
Lennon A 4/11
King L 4/9
Milner J 4/7
Heskey E 8/13
Crouch P 10/11
James D evens
Green R 2/1
Carragher J 2/1
Defoe J 9/4
Barry G 9/4
Hart J 5/2
Walcott T 11/4
Upson M 3/1
Dawson M 7/2
Carrick M 6/1
Huddlestone T 6/1
Cole J 7/1
Johnson A 7/1
Bent D 16/1
Baines L 20/1
Parker, S 20/1
Wright Phillips S 25/1
Warnock S 33/1
 

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