After a four-month hiatus because of the global Covid-19 pandemic, international cricket returned last week with the beginning of the test series between England and the West Indies in the UK. And whilst crowds may not be allowed into grounds, for the time being, there is nothing to stop those who want to bet on the sport again.
However, for those new to sports betting, or those who want a refresher on some of the basics, here are some principles to bear in mind when it comes to cricket betting. The starting point is to identify those cricket betting sites that are reputable, efficient, and offer a decent range of odds. There are many to choose from but here is a reliable guide and shortcut.
Having identified the right site, then decide what type of bet you want to make, although it should be remembered that most betting sites will offer two options – ante-post or live betting. The difference is that ante-post bets are placed before a match is played, whilst live bets are made whilst the action is underway.
Ante-post bets are the safest but generally offer shorter odds, whereas live betting is more exciting, but takes some skill and experience.
Here are the most popular types of cricket bets:
Match outcome
A test match will have one of three outcomes – a home win, an away win, and a draw. Only make your pick having done some research itself using factors such as recent form, ICC test rankings, likely weather conditions, and the presence, or absence, of key players from one side or the other.
Never bet on a draw in one day cricket. They are exceedingly rare and often there are mechanisms such as Super Overs to make sure that there is a definitive result.
Series Winner
This is a variation on the first and is merely a bet on the outcome of a series, where teams play several games against each other over a series of weeks.
Top Bowler
This is a bet on which bowler will take the most wickets during a match or series. Look at their averages but also consider the surface on which matches are played. Some will suit spinners whilst others are set up for pacemen.
Top Batsman
As the name suggests, this is a bet on which batsman will score the most suns in an innings, match, or series. Consider their form before the match, the test rankings, and the type of bowling attack they are facing. Some cope well with fast bowlers but struggle against spin, whilst for others it might be vice versa.
Over/Under Score
This is amongst the most popular ways to bet on any sport. The online bookmaker will post a total score that they predict one team will have by the end of a match or series. You must decide if you think that the actual score will be over, or under, the total that they have selected.
Man of the Match/Player of the Series
International cricket – and many domestic matches as well – usually nominates a man (or woman) of the match. Chosen by an expert panel, it is the person that they think has made the biggest individual contribution in a match (or series). The bet here is to predict in advance who this might be.
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