Category: Cricket

Cricket World Cup: Day 3 Recap

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The first upset of the 2015 Cricket World Cup took just 3 days, and has left a West Indies team on the verge of crisis.  Ireland eased their way to a resounding victory over the West Indies in Nelson with 4 wickets in hand and 25 balls remaining.  The win is yet another example of Ireland’s giant killing prowess, but equally highlights the Windies uninterested approach.

Day 3 Results

West Indies v Ireland

Game three of the Cricket World Cup was an excellent example of the old sporting cliche – a see-sawing battle.  Initially, all the cards were being held by the Irish as they reduced their opponents to 87/5 on the back of accurate bowling and George Dockrell’s individual brilliance.  The stat that best proves the Irish were at their stifling best was Chris Gayle’s party strike rate of just 55.  However, the West Indies did recover.  An excellent partnership between Darren Sammy and Lendl Simmons restored some competitiveness to the West Indies total and eventually propelled them to a potentially winning total of 304/7.  Sammy made a hard hitting 89 and Simmons became the fifth centurion of the tournament in making 102.

Ireland set about the target with confidence and intent.  A strong start was carried all the way through and only the slightest wobble at the end of the chase gave the West Indies a chance.  The victory was never really in doubt as Peter Stirling, Ed Joyce and Niall O’Brien controlled the scoring rate beautifully; all posting half centuries on the way to another famous Irish Cricket World Cup win.

Ireland 307 for 6 (Stirling 92, Joyce 84, N O’Brien 79*) beat West Indies 304 for 7 (Simmons 102, Sammy 89, Dockrell 3-50) by 4 wickets

Cricket World Cup: Day 3 Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The Three Big Questions

Is this a batsman’s World Cup – are the pitches too flat? Bats too big? Boundaries too small?

Four teams have batted first and posted totals of over 300 in the Cricket World Cup thus far.  However, they have all gone about it differently.  New Zealand blazed their way there on the back of a fast McCullum start, South Africa and Australia stuttered earlier but proved wickets do little to derail target setting, while India were composed in keeping wickets in hand for the Powerplay and death overs.  We think it shows that yes the drop in pitches are flat – possibly deliberately to ensure maximum entertainment and maximum expenditure within the ground, yes the ground are too small and need also to be maximised.  But bats can continue to improve – just increase playing area and allow for more sporting pictures.  As we have said earlier it will be a batsman’s Cricket World Cup – 340+ scores will win the big games too.

Who will be the fourth semi-finalist?

Many are predicting New Zealand, Australia and South Africa making it to the semi-finals.  And while anything can happen in knockout games for arguments sake we’ll assume that is to be the case.  That means one team of England, India, Pakistan, West Indies or Sri Lanka will take up the final place (sorry minnows).  On the evidence thus far, India look like they have come to grips with ODI cricket in Australia and NZ better than the others have.  I think England will improve, but India have the batsman capable of taking them to a semi-final with a machining innings.  Their bowlers impaired markedly too from the tri-sereis abomination.  India to make the semi’s then.

How’s Betcirca’s ICC Fantasy Team Doing?

Okay.  So a little off topic.  Important nonetheless.  We’re struggling to be honest.  We went for Moeen Ali to contribute both wickets and runs at a cheap purchase price, however he failed with both bat and ball to put us up against it already.  AB de Villiers didn’t register quite the number of batting points we thougth he might either.  Our strategy of choosing predominantly Australian, New Zealand and South African players may well count against us in the long-run.  Here’s our side: Finch, Rahane, Amla, Williamson, McCullum, de Villiers, Marsh, Boult, Shakib, Starc.

Today’s Matchup

West Indies v Ireland, Saxton Oval (Nelson – partly cloudy but warm), 11:00am local time

West Indies – $1.22

Ireland – $4.25

The West Indies start as favourites but if there is any chance of a test playing nation slipping on a banana skin it’s in this game.  Chris Gayle would rather be at home in his bar, Darren Bravo won’t score runs out of protest for his brother’s exclusion, and Kieron Pollard is a huge loss.  Ireland, are experienced in both playing age and in major tournaments and thrive on big upsets.  Much like the 2011 triumph against England they’ll back themselves to chase down something big and could rely on Sterling, Kevin O’Brien and Joyce to do so.

Today’s Multi Bet

The IPL Late Play Multi – Not a multi because only one game being played today, but jump on Darren Sammy to top score ahead of tomorrow night’s IPL auction.

Darren Sammy (Man of Match) – $6.25

Luxbet Australia on the Cricket World Cup odds.

Cricket World Cup: Day 2 Recap

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Who said this was going to be batsman World Cup?  Four matches and four first innings totals over 300 has made chasing very difficult in the early stages of this World Cup.  All of the favourites have flexed some muscle in their opening wins, even if coming in slightly different circumstances.  Let’s have a look at the day 2 results.

Day 2 Results

1. South Africa v Zimbabwe

It’s pretty rare that a side can bounce back from losing Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Quintin de Kock each for 25 runs or less and still go on to post 339/4 in their 50 overs.  But that’s exactly what South Africa managed against Zimbabwe in Hamilton in their World Cup opener.  Batting first on a sticky wicket, South Africa lost the plot against accurate but unthreatening bowling, plummeting to 83/4 before a record breaking partnership ensued between JP Duminy and David Miller.  Miller made a masterful 138* proving he’s much more than a late over finisher, and Duminy proved his value to the side with an equally well-paced hundred in one of his first games back from a long injury layoff.  South Africa set a 2015 tournament record of 89 from the final overs to post the third consecutive total of over 300 from teams batting first in the Cup.

Zimbabwe showed plenty of character in their chase, but eventually fell some 62 runs short.  They were close for a large portion of the run-chase and in particular with Brendon Taylor still in the middle had a chance, however, as the asking rate increased the pressure did too and Zimbabwe found fewer boundaries and resorted to calculated slogs to try and get their.  It was a valiant effort mind you, and their form over 7o off the hundred overs, outlines just how dangerous they’ll be against others in their pool.  Zimbabwe will (and deserve too) take great heart from their effort; South Africa will just be grateful their blushes were spared (mainly by Miller and Duminy).

South Africa 339 for 4 (Miller 138*, Duminy 115*) beat Zimbabwe 277 (Masakadza 80, Chibhabha 64, Tahir 3-36) by 62 runs

2. India v Pakistan

Adelaide Oval seemed a world away from Australia as over 50,000 Indian and Pakistan fans packed in to watch the latest editions of one of sports great rivalries.  In stark contrast to the sedate Hamilton ground in the earlier game, Adelaide was a cauldron of noise and excitement as the two Asian heavyweights launched their World Cup campaigns.  India would get the better of the occasion thanks to another Adelaide Oval hundred from Virat Kohli.  India posted 300/7 with Kohl’s and Suresh Raina’s 75 the difference between an above par and below par score.  In fairness, they actually should have scored more and their return of 27 from the final five overs is easily the worst in the competition thus far.

Pakistan’s mecurail batting lineup never threatened the total.  The Indian bowlers finally seemed to appreciate the length to bowl in Australia and masterfully mixed a fuller regular length with excellent directed short balls – used sparingly.  The seamers combined well with spinners Ashwin and Jadeja to restrict runs and take wickets.  Pakistan look to be struggling without Mohammad Hafeez and will need to figure out their best use of Umar Akmal and Sarfraz (even if Akmal was unfairly adjudged caught behind – in my view).  Misbah was again the rock of the flailing chase, he managed another ODI half century and could be a good fantasy banker on today’s evidence.

India 300 for 7 (Kohli 107, Raina 74, Dhawan 73, Sohail 5-55) beat Pakistan 224 (Misbah 76, Shehzad 47, Shami 4-35) by 76 runs

Cricket World Cup: Day 2 Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

While the opening matches of the Cricket World Cup were not as close as we hoped, they did feature incredible batting efforts from New Zealand and Australia.  The matches highlighted the new norm of ODI totals; 250+ scores won’t cut the mustard this year,  320+ will.

The Three Big Questions

Which performance on day 1 was more dominant?

Probably New Zealand.  New Zealand came out from ball one and attacked.  While they wobbled slightly in the middle overs, Corey Anderson’s finish ensured an unassailable total.  The attacking intent shows an approach very un-New Zealand like.  Rather than nervous deal with the expectation, they thrived on it and look to be comfortable leading from the front.  Their bowling did, however, look a bit ragged – they’ll want to improve.

Australia, were expected to win, they had beaten England easily and were at home in conditions perfect for their batsman.  They laid down a marker but you wouldn’t expect anything less from the group of players they have at their disposal.  Bring on the 28th of February.

Can any of the so-called minnows get up and sneak a win against a test playing nation?

If we were to base our answer on warm up matches, then yes.  Scotland ran in some big totals in the warm up matches, Ireland have played in plenty of tournaments now and even Afghanistan showed some promise in their two warm up games against thought opposition.  Of the test playing nations, the West Indies look disinterested; Bangladesh look dreadfully underdone. Therefore, absolutely, there will be an upset in this Cricket World Cup.

Amla or de Villiers to score the most tournament runs?

The South Africans possess the top two international ODI batsman.  Both are quality players on all surfaces, against all types of bowlers.  Amla will get more opportunities being at the top of the order and this could aid his chances of cashing in against the associate nations.  The only area he gives up points to de Villiers is in scoring rate.  de Villiers can bat through all gears, and even if he faces 30 balls at the end of the innings has shown he can score hundreds in that time.  We’re picking de Villiers.

Today’s Matchups

1. South Africa v Zimbabwe, Seddon Park (Hamilton – sunny and hot), starts 2:00pm local time.

South Africa– $1.02

Zimbabwe – $13.00

After New Zealand and Australia got off to impressive starts, South Africa now need to send a similar message when they open their tournament in Hamilton.  Nothing short of a dominant display will be needed to make sure punters don’t write them off.  South Africa are expected to be far too strong for Zimbabwe, but Zimbabwe’s warm-up form has been impressive.  They had New Zealand in trouble before rain and then beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets.  South Africa on the other hand lost to NZ, but we don’t expect that to change the team’s fortunes today.

2. India v Pakistan, Adelaide Oval (Adelaide – partly cloudy but humid), starts 2:00pm local time

India – $1.50

Pakistan – $2.55

The defending Cricket World Cup champions have not enjoyed their time in Australia thus far.  After a winless test series and ODI trip-series, they finally mustered a win against Afghanistan.  Fractured form aside, the Indians still have an abundance of class in Kohli, Dhoni, Sharma and Rahane and will back their batsman to chase anything their bowlers concede.  Pakistan have warmed up by losing to New Zealand but beating England and Bangladesh in warm up matches.  They rely too heavily on Misbah to justify low odds.  But if Mohammad Irfan can generate step bounce on the Adelaide Oval pitch they could surprise.

Today’s Multi

The Beard and Bounce Multi

Pakistan (Win) + Hashim Amla and Sean Williams (Top Score Combo) = $43.35

*Odds from Sportsbet Australia.

Cricket World Cup: Day 1 Recap

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

After a tantalising wait the Cricket World Cup final got underway yesterday.  Australia and New Zealand justified their favourites tag with huge victories on the back of 300+ scores.  The two Australasian hosts sent an imperious warning to the rest of the teams vying to take out crickets’ most meaningful trophy.

Each day of the Cricket World Cup we’ll recap the results, here’s how day 1 panned out.

Day 1 Results

1. New Zealand v Sri Lanka

New Zealand displaced any concerns that nerves would get the better of them in their World Cup opener against Sri Lanka in Christchurch.  Batting first on a chilly, overcast morning, the audible sigh of relief from Black Cap fans when Brendon McCullum slammed his first ball through the covers for four was telling.  McCullum’s boundary told of confidence, aggression and belief, while the sigh proved many New Zealanders were uncomfortable with the favourites tag, but relieved that it wouldn’t change New Zealand’s approach.

The Black Caps mustered 331 in their 50 overs.  Corey Anderson put the icing on the cake after McCullum and Williamson had early contributed half centuries.  Sri Lanka were sloppy in the field, and the seam bowling saving grace role that Lasith Malinga was expected to play didn’t eventuate as he was plummeted for 84 runs in 10 wicketless overs.

In reply, Sri Lanka made an excellent start and at 124/1 were a chance of running down the imposing total. However, regular wickets, share amongst the New Zealand bowlers, put paid to any chance and they eventually fell well 98 runs short.

New Zealand 331 for 6 (Anderson 75, McCullum 65, Williamson 57, Mendis 2-5) beat Sri Lanka 233 (Thirimanne 65, Anderson 2-18) by 98 runs

2. Australia v England

Australia got their campaign underway in front of a raucous 85,000 strong crowd at the MCG.  Reinforcing their dominance over England at late and their favourites tag, the Australians scored a huge 342 from their 50 overs (despite at once stage falling to 70/3.  Aaron Finch survived being dropped in the first over to make 135 and  Glenn Maxwell finished things off briskly.  The only joy for the Poms was a final over hat-trick from Steven Finn.

Things got worse for the English; they slumped to 92/6 and with it saw any chance of an unlikely victory slip away.  Captain, Eoin Morgan continued his bizarre run of form – despite a century early in the summer he’s now registered 4 ducks in his last five innings.  James Taylor added some respectability to the total.  He’s was not out on 98* when James Anderson was incorrectly ruled run out after a DRS reversal.  Mitchell Marsh thrived in taking over James Faulkner’s duties; he took five wickets with his medium pace.

Australia dominant, and on course for trophy number five it seems.

Australia 342 for 9 (Finch 135, Maxwell 66, Bailey 55, Finn 5-71) beat England 231 (Taylor 98*, Marsh 5-33) by 111 runs

Cricket World Cup: Day 1 Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Welcome to Betcirca’s coverage of the 2015 Cricket World Cup.  We’ll be bringing you a preview and a recap of each and everyday of the tournament – posing three important questions about the day’s play or the tournament thus far.  We’ll also preview each game with odds from BetEasy, while also keeping an eye on tournament betting odds and the leading wicket takers and run scorers.

Welcome to Day One.

The Three Big Questions

Of the spate of injuries and withdrawals announced so far, whose is the most worrying for their team’s chances?

Mohammad Hafeez, Ishant Sharma, Sunil Narine, Junaid Khan, and James Faulkner have all either pulled out of the tournament or have had their chances of playing a part diminished on account of injury or bowling action concerns.  Of those, two stick out as crucial.  Narine has confused batsman for years and might just be the best limited overs bowler going around.  After remodelling his action he was back to his best in a recent match for Trinidad & Tobago where he took 6/9, but has pulled out over doubts about his new action.  He’s a huge loss for a West Indies team that is lacking in inspiration and likely to struggle at the Cricket World Cup.

Likewise, Faulkner is one of the best death hitters in the business, as well as contributing key overs when required.  His injury is not expected to keep him out of the entire tournament but if kept out of the knockout stages is a huge blow to Australia’s chances.

Will this be the year New Zealand finally gets past the semi-finals?

The six-time semi finalists have never made it to the showcase event of a Cricket World Cup.  Neither have they ever really been expected to though (save for 1992 when they were arguably the form team during the round robin stages).  2015 is different.  The Black Caps are being backed heavily by experts and amateurs alike.  They have a balanced side, form, and home soil as factors aiding their cause.  But we’re of the view that they won’t like the added pressure or expectation of being contenders.  They’ll be beaten by eventual finalists South Africa or Australia in the semi…again.

Will Michael Clarke’s inclusion hinder or help the Australians?

There has been plenty of media coverage about whether the Australian team is more harmonious with or without Michael Clarke.  The team has thrived with Steven Smith (or George Bailey) at the helm, and the uncertainty over Clarke’s fitness and his differences with the bosses of Cricket Australia, could become an unwelcome distraction as the home team attempt to life their fifth Cricket World Cup.  The one thing in Clarke’s favour is Bailey’s woeful form.  Despite being more destructive than Clarke at his best, Bailey’s recent woes will mean Clarke slots straight back in, and Australia are better for it.

Today’s Matchups

1. New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Hagley Oval (Christchurch – overcast conditions forecasted), starts 11:00am local time.

New Zealand – $1.52

Sri Lanka – $2.55

Having just beaten Sri Lanka 4-2 in a pre-tournament series, New Zealand start as obvious favourites.  New Zealand were clinical in most of their efforts in the series and also followed up with a 2-0 win over Pakistan.  However, they were troubled at times (falling to 5 down for less than 150 on three occasions), and add to the the Lasith Malinga factor and this one could be much closer than the odds suggest.

2. Australia v England, Melbourne Cricket Ground (Melbourne – chance of showers), starts 2:30pm local time

Australia – $1.36

England – $3.15

The second game of the day also features two teams who have only recently squared off.  During the Carlton Mid Tri-Series Australia beat England on three occasions (two of them emphatically and one where they chased down over 300).  Australia are therefore overwhelming favourites and should be too strong at the home of Australian cricket.

Today’s Multi

The World Cup Welcome ‘W’ Multi

Kane Williamson (Top Score) + Shane Watson (Top Score) – $18.75