Introduction to Cricket Betting
Cricket has several different formats, with test cricket being the most revered for international clashes like England vs Australia in the Ashes. One-day internationals remain popular too, with the ICC Cricket World Cup being a major highlight.
In Twenty20 cricket, there are dynamic franchise tournaments like the IPL, Big Bash, and T20 Blast, plus the T20 World Cup. Having a cricket betting strategy to manage all these options is essential.
Popular Cricket Betting Markets
The majority of popular cricket betting markets cross over into the different formats of the game, like the following.
Match Winner
The most common cricket bet for all formats is picking the match winner, regardless of the method of victory.
Top Batsman/Top Bowler
A focus on player performances, looking at the top run scorer and who the top wicket taker will be. This can apply to the entire match, by team, and in test cricket, by innings.
Over/Under Total Runs
An over/under bet in cricket focuses on a specific tally, with variations for match totals, innings totals, and individual team totals.
Man of the Match
A popular bet, selecting which player will win the Man of the Match award. Playing conditions, whether a bowler- or batter-friendly pitch, dictates this market.
Outright Winner
Long-term cricket betting markets focused on the outcome of competitions, like the Punjab Kings winning the IPL.
Innings Runs/First Innings Lead
For test match cricket only, it’s possible to bet on which team will hold an advantage at the end of the first innings, or which team will score the highest number of runs in their respective first innings.
Session Betting
Test matches are played over morning, afternoon and evening sessions, and those can be the focus of cricket bets, targeting a team’s number of runs, or how many wickets will fall in one particular session.
Over-by-Over Betting (In-Play Betting)
Live betting can focus on the total runs in an over, or a prop bet on whether a wicket will tumble in it. Live cricket betting allows you to make calls on markets based on how a team is performing collectively and which individuals are having a major influence.
Effective Cricket Betting Strategies
Examine strategies for your cricket betting experience that will lead to more accurate predictions.
Research Team Form and Statistics
Study recent results, including margins and methods of victories. Look for key metrics such as batting average, strike rates, and bowling economy rates.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Everything from altitude to humidity and how short the grass is cut can have a considerable bearing. Intense overhead sun will dry pitches out quickly, while increased moisture will help swing bowlers.
Format-Specific Strategies
- T20 Matches: A team with big hitters in form will likely go far in a T20 competition, as it can often compensate for average bowling.
- ODIs: One-day internationals require a blend of heavy hitting and concentration at the wicket. Teams typically start conservatively, then accelerate the scorecard in the last 10 overs. For bowlers, the economy rate is vital.
- Test Matches: In test cricket, a batter can spend hours at the crease, determined not to give a wicket away recklessly. A test can change session by session, so betting on the individual periods of play is a good approach.
In-Play Betting Strategies
The fall of a wicket will drastically change the picture of a match. With live in-play betting, you can make a call on a team’s reaction to that in markets, such as total runs and match results. Use the conditions and status of the game to inform decisions.
Home Advantage
Home advantage is massive in cricket, whether that’s cloudy days for England’s swing bowlers, dry, cracked pitches for India’s spin bowlers, or fast bowling tracks for Australia’s pace bowlers. Test sides travelling to unfamiliar playing conditions present a significant disadvantage.
Factors to Consider in Cricket Betting
Along with playing conditions and the current player form, other factors influence match outcomes.
Team Selection and Injuries
It’s important to know which players are on the side. Is a team going with an extra pace bowler at the expense of spin, or are they adding to their batting depth? Has a star player returned from injury?
Head-to-Head Records
Head-to-head records can be very informative, especially for a specific ground. Track previous results for insights into how high-scoring previous encounters were and which players stood out.
Toss Impact
The winner of the toss will decide if they are batting or bowling first, depending on the pitch conditions and weather forecast. It can be a game-changing decision.
Tournament Stage and Pressure
If a team needs a match win to progress to the IPL knockouts, that will be a motivated side. Pressure and match situations can determine tactics, too, as a team may need to be more aggressive with the bat than usual.
Advanced Cricket Betting Strategies
There are some more advanced cricket betting strategies bettors can progress towards, and here is a look at some of those.
Betting on Partnerships
Partnerships in cricket are crucial to posting good scores. You can bet on which partnership will be the top-scoring in an innings or how many runs a partnership will reach.
Trading on Betting Exchanges
If England were backed pre-match, a lay bet could then be placed on them (not to win) on a betting exchange if their opponents start the match well and if the odds are favourable to do so. An alternative is arbitrage betting, using variance in odds at different bookmakers to balance a market.
Weather-Related Bets
If the first day of a test is washed out, that may raise the probability of a draw. If a morning of play in an ODI has been cancelled, the game may be restricted to a shorter format, so you’ll need to assess which team would be more suited to that. Be ready to adjust betting plans.
Conclusion
Cricket has so many fascinating variables to factor in. Study the strategies above and adapt them to your betting preferences. Track results so you can see what’s working and what’s not.
For your cricket bets, check out the leading sportsbook for the top odds on your selections for the new IPL season, the Ashes, and the abundance of other cricket that’s happening. Like a batter defending their wicket, always protect your bankroll for a safe, responsible experience.