Tag: cricket betting

History Beckons for Plucky Australians in Dharamsala

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

It all comes down to a series finale that no one expected. The surprisingly competitive series between ICC heavyweights India and Australia will be settled (or not if we have another draw) in the fourth test starting on Saturday in Dharamsala. The surprise comes from the strong Australian performance in all of the matches so far. Often disappointing in India, and as was the case prior to Christmas when they were an absolute shambles when South Africa put them to the sword.

But the turnaround has been tremendous. They’re a real chance of gaining an upset series win.

The Series So Far

The Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscombe’s engineered great escape in Ranchi mean the riveting series is still tied at one game apiece. Facing a challenging prospect of surviving for 100 overs on a deteriorating fifth-day wicket, the pair battled stubbornly and ensured Steven Smith’s first innings heroics (178*) were not in vain.

The Ranchi draw, where credit should also be directed to India (and more specifically Cheteshwar Pujara for an innings spanning 525 deliveries) for hauling down Australia’s huge first innings total of 451, sets up an intriguing finish to the series at Dharamsala.

The Teams

India

The Dharamsala pitch located in the Himalayas and experiencing some rainfall might play more like an English green seamer than a sub-continent dust bowl. The result could be a recall for Mohammed Shami or Bhuvneshwar Kumar or both. Ishant Sharma who has done a today job without taking wickets could make way and then the selectors are faced with the tricky decision of whether to play only one spinner – which admittedly seems pretty unlikely.

Australia

We can’t see Australia making changes to their side even if the pitch turns out to be greener than expected. Jackson Bird is the backup seamer if they do go that way, or if they’re worried about the amount of work Pat Cummins was required to get through in Ranchi.

The Key Players

India

If there’s ever a time that captain Virat Kohli needs to stand up and come out swinging it’s in this series decider. In a series where he’s struggled with the bat, yet played the role of aggressive pantomime villain with aplomb, Kohli needs to turn that equation around. Less rousing the crowd. Less goading the Australians. More runs. He has just 46 runs in five efforts this series. However, he’s still the Indian favourite to top score – paying $3.40.

Australia

Slow bowlers are generally expected to flourish on the sub-continent, but if there’s one venue where seam might come into the equation, it’s Dharamsala. The pitch could be a green seamer and if it is, Josh Hazlewood could be deadly with his accuracy and wobble. He’s at $4.50 to be the top bowler in the first innings

The Match Odds*

India – $1.83

Draw – $3.75

Australia – $4

*All odds from Bet365.

The Prediction

We would love to see the series decided one way or the other but we think a flat pitch will once again see the match peter out to a draw.

New Zealand Underdogs Against Proteas Despite Strong Home Form

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Despite a solid home summer of cricket, where they’ve dispatched Pakistan and Bangladesh with ease, New Zealand start as underdogs in the three test series against South Africa starting Wednesday in Dunedin.

They’re up against it because they have never beaten South Africa in a test series, managing to draw only three of the fifteen series’ the teams have played against one another (four wins).

The Last Time These Two Met

New Zealand was completely outplayed when the team last met in a test series. Hosted in South Africa, the Black Caps were pasted by 204 runs in the second test match at Centurion after the first match was rained out.

The series loss proceeded further losses in South Africa in 2013 (both games lost by an innings, including the infamous test in which New Zealand was bowled out for 45 after Brendon McCulllum replaces Ross Taylor as captain).

Closer to home, a 2012 series was won by South Africa one-nil. That series largely remembered for a gritty coming of age hundred by Kane Williamson to save the game in Wellington.

The Teams

New Zealand (probable):

1 Tom Latham, 2 Jeet Raval, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Henry Nicholls, 6 BJ Watling (wk), 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Colin de Grandhomme/James Neesham, 9 Neil Wagner, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Trent Boult

New Zealand has the option of playing two spinners in Dunedin with the inclusion of Jeetan Patel in the test squad. The canny off-spinner had success in the ODI series but may still miss out if the Black Caps prefer the three main quicks. Jimmy Neesham is also in the squad as an all-around option and will compete with de Grandhomme for a place in the side.

South Africa (probable):

1 Stephen Cook, 2 Dean Elgar, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Faf du Plessis (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 Temba Bavuma, 7 Quinton de Kock (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Kagiso Rabada

More Morkel returns to top level cricket to complement Rabada and Philander in the pace attack, while Maharaj is the one spinner.

The Key Players

New Zealand

Neil Wagner’s 41 wickets in 2016 put him, surprisingly, in the top ten wicket-takers for the calendar year. A whopping ten more than New Zealand’s next best (Trent Boult), Wagner became, out of nowhere, the Black Caps most important bowler. Capable of bowling long spells of obnoxious short pitched bowling, Wagner will again be combative and dangerous in this series.

South Africa

If the New Zealand batsman found Kagiso Rabada difficult to face in the ODI series, where he led the wicket-takers, just imagine how tricky they’ll have it surviving seven over spells of his unrelenting accuracy. With more match fitness than Philander and Morkel, he’s the key strike bowler for the Proteas.

The Match Odds*

New Zealand – $3.25

Draw – $4.50

South Africa – $1.90

*All odds from Bet365.

The Prediction

University Oval has seen four draws in the seven games the ground has hosted. That could be on the cards here too with a bad weather bomb impacting the North Island of New Zealand and potentially drifting down the country. We’re favouring the draw.

The Best Bets

Ross Taylor averages 78 from 6 matches at University Oval; it’s the best record for New Zealand batsmen at the ground so he could be worth a look at $5 to top score.

University Oval can get pretty flat, meaning Neil Wagner’s short pitched filth could be needed. Take a punt on him at $3.5 to lead the wicket takers if you think he’ll do well against his fellow countrymen and is over his recent finger injury.

Series at Stake for Pesky Pakistanis

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Steven Smith led his side impressively in game three of the ODI series between Australia and Pakistan in Perth. The Australian captain was commanding in the field, when calling the shots and keeping Pakistan to a below-par 267, and was even better with bat in hand as he finessed his way to a not out hundred.

The captaincy and the batting illustrates a maturity that holds Australia in good stead ahead of their trip to India and the Champions Trophy later this year. But first is a series against Pakistan to finish off. The home side will be hoping to close Pakistan out in game 4 in Sydney.

The Series So Far

A surprisingly competitive series has Australia with a narrow 2-1 lead after wins sandwiched between a surprise loss in Melbourne. In game one, Australia was under immense pressure at 78/5 before recovering and having their bowlers lead them to an easy win. That result was reversed at the MCG where the Australian batsman struggled again and Pakistan chased down 217 comfortably. The most recent match of the series again saw Australia recover from batting wobbles to chase down 268. Thanks mostly to Steve Smith’s beautifully timed run chase. Smith scored a well made hundred while getting support from debutant Peter Handscomb.

The Teams

Australia (probable)

1 David Warner, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Travis Head, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Peter Handscomb, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 James Faulkener, 9 Pat Cummins, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Mitchell Starc

Starc could return to the side instead of Billy Stanlake after being rested at the WACA. The returning Starc will form a formidable trio of strike bowlers with fellow quickies Hazlewood (who was awesome in game three) and Cummins (if he’s not rested in Sydney where it traditionally turns a bit and could favour Adam Zamora).

Pakistan (probable)

1 Sharjeel Khan, 2 Mohammad Hafeez (capt), 3 Babar Azam, 4 Shoaib Malik 5 Assad Shafiq, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 8 Imad Wasim, 9 Mohammad Amir, 10 Junaid Khan, 11 Hasan Ali.

Assad Shafiq and Umar Akumal are under pressure to perform but may keep their places in the side due to a lack of quality replacements. That is unless Azhar Ali is fit to return.

The Key Players

Australia

Despite not taking a wicket in game three James Faulkner still leads the Australian wicket-takers in the series with 6. The canny left armer expertly mixes his cutters, off pace slower balls, and stock back of a length to trouble batsman and keep his economy rate down. Faulkner hasn’t been rested and plays an important wicket-taking role when Starc and Hazlewood are being rotated. Keep an eye on Faulkner’s immense skill as he attacks the middle overs again in Sydney.

Pakistan

Junaid Kahn and Mohammad Amir have both been incredibly dangerous with the ball in the series so far. So much so that they are more of a threat in tandem than they are as individuals. If they’re not rested in game four (Amir is a chance after spending some time off the field in the last match) their combination could be what Pakistan need to even up the series. To do so they must take early wickets and these two are the ones responsible for doing so.

The Match Odds*

Australia– $1.25

Pakistan – $3.75

*All odds from Unibet.

The Prediction

The loss at Melbourne was officially a blip and not the result of two evenly matched teams. Australia has always been dominant in one day cricket at home and this series is no different (game two aside). Normal transmission should continue in Sydney, with another comfortable win for the home side.

The Best Bets

All summer Peter Handscomb has enjoyed unbelievable fortune (he’s also played some great cricket mind you). And when it’s running your way, sometimes as punters it’s best to go with it. Handscomb was out off a no-ball early in his debut innings and went on to score. He’s at $6 to top score again on Sunday.

Shoaib Malik to score fifty is priced nicely at $3.50. Given Malik’s impact on the series so far after missing game one, this could be one Pakistan player worth showing some trust in.

Black Caps Look Set to Send Bangladesh Home Winless

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Bangladesh’s final match of their New Zealand tour at Hagley Oval is their last chance to take a win off the home side. It looks pretty unlikely though after they blew their chance in the first test after posting 595 in the first innings. A tour that has so far promised much but delivered little is likely to finish 8-0 to the Black Caps on account of the Bangladesh confidence being pretty low after squandering a nice chance in several games. Add to that a desire to get back home and it appears the Christchurch test will go the same way as the every other game between the two sides this summer. We’d love to be proven wrong, though; we’d also love to see an end to the short pitched bowling attack New Zealand so often employs.

The Series So Far

Game one was an instant classic. The draw looked likely for the first three days on account of Bangladesh’s record first innings score, however, a late day four panic, injuries to key players and some exceptional Mitchell Santner spell of bowling confined Bangladesh to another test defeat. The game had everything test cricket needs: runs, wickets, multiple storylines (short pitched bowling and concussion rules as applied to Neil Wagner and Shakib Al Hasan; Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson race to Martin Crowe’s century record). The Black Caps ultimately won by six wickets, chasing down 217 with 17 overs to spare

New Zealand accordingly leads the two test series one nil as it heads to Christchurch.

The Teams

New Zealand (likely):

1 Jeet Raval, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Henry Nicholls , 6 Colin de Grandhomme, 7 BJ Watling (wk), 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Lockie Ferguson / Neil Wagner, 11 Trent Boult

The only change being contemplated in the Black Caps set-up is swapping out Neil Wagner or Tim Southee for Lockie Ferguson. The change adds impetus to a bowling unit that struggled to take wickets in the first innings in game one. Ferguson’s raw pace could scare a Bangladeshi unit struggling against the short ball and help the Black Caps take twenty wickets much quicker than they achieved at the Basin Reserve.

Bangladesh (likely):

1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Mahmudullah, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Sabbir Rahman, 7 Nurul Hasan (wk), 8 Mehedi Hasan, 9 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Taskin Ahmed

With Mushfiqur Rahman out of the test with a finger injury/concussion concerns, Nurul Hasan will make his test debut, just as he did in the ODI series earlier in the tour. While Mishfiqur is a massive loss, the addition of Mistafizur after the crafty left armer was given a rest for the first game in Wellington provides Bangladesh a massive boost.

The Key Players

New Zealand

The Black Caps don’t play a whole lot more test cricket this year. Sure, they host South Africa later in the summer, but then their attention turns towards limited overs cricket in England for the Champions Trophy. One player who therefore needs to take every chance he can get to solidify his place in the side is Henry Nicholls. Nicholls made 53 in the first innings in game one but never really looked assured. His innings summed up his career thus far: some potential, plenty of nerves and some glaring technical deficiencies. Time in the middle will help correct or mould all three of these traits and Nicholls must score runs to secure his long-term future.

Bangladesh

Without Mishfiqur, Shakib Al Hasan shapes up as the most important player in the tourist’s side. The world-class all round compiled a polished fifty in the first game but needs to turn that into a big hundred here in game two if his side is to have a chance. Shakib does need to be careful not to get too loose attacking the short ball. He appeared to get too hyped up flailing at the short stuff and needs to be more composed; picking the appropriate ball to go after.

The Match Odds*

New Zealand – $1.25

Bangladesh – $15

Draw – $5.50

*All odds courtesy of Bet365.

The Prediction

Bangladesh’s spirit may be broken after the devastating loss in game one. After dominating the opening two days the tourists were left red-faced in their second innings as they succumbed to nerves and injuries. It’s hard to see them bounce back from the defeat, so we’re predicting a big win for the Black Caps.

The Best Bets

Shakib Al Hasan looks good money to top score at $5. His first test double century (just the third double century scored by a Bangladeshi batsman) was all class and given the rest of his competition (within his team) are either injured, wounded or desperately out of form.

With two strings to his bow and both of them at their best at present, Mitchell Santner is a nice tip for Man of the Match honours. Santner scored runs in Wellington (despite not looking that comfortable against the short ball) and took wickets (second innings only), and could be a threat on a Hagley Oval pitch that should be pretty similar to the one served up at the Basin. He’s paying $15 to be Man of the Match.

Confident Pakistan Sniff Series Upset Against Frail Australia

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The WACA in Perth has at times suited the Pakistan cricket team. Offering pace and bounce, the West Australian surface was right up the alley of Khan, Akram and Younis. Now, however, the pace and bounce are likely to trouble the Pakistan batsman and work against the slow bowlers that were so successful for them in the first two games of the series. The end result, favourable conditions for the home side as they seek to overturn the surprise defeat in game two and wrestle back the initiative in the five-game series.

The Series So Far

Australia’s familiar fragilities were again exposed in their shock game two loss. Too reliant on Smith and Warner, and an inability to rotate the strike against Pakistan’s trio of slow bowlers, the Australians made just 220 which was easily chased down by Pakistans top 6. The successful chase was the first win by Pakistan against Australia in any format since 2005 and added renewed interest to a ODI series that had the potential to lose appeal if the hosts ran out to a 2-0 series win.

The game two loss offsets a win in Brisbane by 92 runs, despite Australia not scoring as many as they would’ve liked there too. So a series tied at 1-1, with plenty to play for in Perth.

The Teams

Australia (probable)

1 David Warner, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Travis Head, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Matthew Wade (wk), 7 Marcus Stonis, 8 James Faulkner, 9 Pat Cummins, 10 Billy Stanlake, 11 Josh Hazlewood.

Marcus Stonis has joined the squad from the Melbourne Stars to replace the injured Mitchell Marsh but might miss out if Peter Handscomb is picked and Smith relies on Maxwell and Head to get through their share of overs. Billy Stanlake may also get a second crack because of Mitchell Starc being rested ahead of a busy upcoming schedule. Adam Zappa is the other addition to the squad and could get a run.

Pakistan (probable)

1 Mohammad Hafeez (capt), 2 Sharjeel Khan, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Shoaib Malik, 5 Asad Shafiq, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 8 Imad Wasim 9 Mohammad Amir, 10 Hasan Ali, 11 Junaid Khan.

Unless Pakistan gives Amir a rest, we can’t see them making too many changes to the side that broke a 12-year drought in Australia by winning game two.

The Key Players

Australia

Glenn Maxwell has made useful contributions in the first two games of the series and remains the most dangerous player in the middle order. He’s dangerous because he scores all around the ground, 360 degrees, including behind the wicketkeeper. The unique trait and the fact that he plays so freely against spin has resulted in him being included in the touring squad to India.

Pakistan

Mohammad Hafeez was good with both bat and ball in game two. The stand-in captain, who is getting to the end of his career, will take great pride from the game two win and will be desperate to continue the upsets and maybe even sneak a series win against Australia, in Australia, before he retires. Expect Hafeez to have a big impact in both his disciplines in Perth.

The Match Odds*

Australia– $1.28

Pakistan – $3.75

*All odds from Bet365.

The Prediction

It’s hard to see the Australian’s struggling to post 300 for the third straight game, although we expressed our view that it was unlikely they would get less than 260 in the series after game one and were well wrong. Expect a strong bounce back this time and a big Australian win.

The Best Bets

For one of the best players in the world in all three formats David Warner has had a mediocre start to the series. The swing of Mohammed Amir has had him in all sorts of trouble, but it wasn’t long ago he smashed a century before lunch in the Sydney test. Warner’s well and truly due a score, and at $3.75 he’s nicely priced.

It’s clear after two games that the bowlers who bowl the death overs will pick up some cheap wickets. And after the Australians would have decided to give Imad Wasim more respect, Junaid Khan now looks like a good option to be the top bowler for the tourists. He’s at $4.50.

Australia Face Selection Headaches Ahead of Sydney Test

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Most of the talk in the lead up to the final cricket test between Australia and Pakistan has been around the composition of the two sides. Firstly, comes the retirement question of Misbah-ul-Haq. Secondly, is the characteristics of the Sydney pitch and how conducive to spin it will be, and consequently how that alters the thinking of the Australian selectors.

The questions are unanswered for now, but once known will form the nucleus of the key talking points about the dead rubber. We’ve highlighted some of the other key talking points below:

The Series So Far

For all the decent cricket Pakistan has played in the series thus far, they still find themselves down 2-0. After the heartbreak of Brisbane – falling just short of a record fourth innings chase – and the huge amount of time lost to bad weather in Melbourne, the touring side gave everybody reason to believe the series would still be alive. However, a final day capitulation for the ages – at the hands of Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon – gave Australia their second win of series from as many matches.

Frustratingly, for Pakistan fans and for the cricket neutrals, the series has been competitive, with Pakistan missing a little bit of quality in the key moments (and relying on too many individuals).

The Teams

Australia (likely):

1 David Warner, 2 Matt Renshaw, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Steve Smith (capt), 5 Peter Handscomb, 6 Hilton Cartwright, 7 Matthew Wade, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Josh Hazlewood, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Steve O’Keefe

Debutant Hilton Cartwright is expected to replace Nic Maddinson to better balance the side and allow a second spinner to play. Whether that is O’Keefe (the incumbent) or Ashton Agar remains to be seen. Agar may be viewed as more of a batting allrounder and would allow for the three quicks to stay in the side, but that results in Matthew Wade batting quite high for someone who is short of runs.

Either way, it will be two spinners and a new number 6.

Pakistan (likely)

Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali.

The big talking point during the week was Misbah’s retirement. Whether he will continue and play in Sydney is still unknown at the time of writing. If he does call it a day, it will close the curtains on a tremendous career. He’ll leave the game as the most successful test captain in Pakistan’s history and will richly deserve the praise he receives.

The Key Players

Australia

Garry the GOAT (Nathan Lyon), is quickly becoming a cult favourite amongst the cricket-following public of Australia. The offspinner is lapping up the social media attention, although presumably, he’d like to be garnering the attention for world class bowling performances, not his nicknames. The Sydney test gives him such an opportunity. The SCG will turn, but will the turn be too slow for Lyon to be effective. If not he’s a key figure in the game.

Pakistan

Mohammed Amir has been good on tour but not great. Wickets are never easy to come by in Australia as has proven this time around for Amir too. He’s bowled nice spells, he’s beaten the bat countless time and has kept the scoring rate in check. However, Pakistan needs wickets from him and lots of them if they can sneak a win in the already lost series.

The Match Odds*

Australia – $1.42

Pakistan – $7.10

Draw – $5.90

*All odds courtesy of Sportsbet

The Prediction

Neither are likely to occur, but the money on a Pakistan win or a draw are very attractive. With the Sydney test dominated by wet weather last year, the draw could be the better of the two. Having said that, in the slow turner of Sydney, Yasir Shah could be a factor. The gambler says take a punt, the cricket pundit says Australia to win comfortably.

The Best Bets

Steve Smith to top score for the Aussies at $3.25 is hard to ignore. This bet isn’t like the Kane Williamson of NZ or the Joe Root of England. Place it every time and it should come good more often than not.

Alternatively, if you like fairytales (and better returns) bank on Misbah going out in style (if he doesn’t retire before the game) and top scoring. That’s paying $6.