Cricket Betting Tips, Rules and Odds: Our Full Guide

Cricket Betting & Odds Explained

There are three main ways of cricket that you will bet on: Test Match cricket, One Day International cricket (ODI), and Twenty20 cricket (T20). Each has a certain amount of overs and slight variations in rules. 

Test Match Cricket - The traditional format of the game is played over five days, where both teams bat and bowl twice. The aim is for each side to bowl each other out and score the highest. It is a game where technique, endurance and temperament prevail over a longer duration of time.

ODI Cricket - A one-day international match that consists of 50 overs each. It is a faster format of the game in which speed, technique, and skill are tested.

T20 Cricket - is one of the short formats of the game. It is played both domestically and internationally. Each side has 20 overs to score the highest and get the other side bowled out. The game typically takes a few hours, compared to a whole day like ODI cricket. 

Betting on cricket involves predicting what you think might happen in a match. They represent the likelihood of either team winning and the return that you can expect from your bet. 

Different Types of Cricket Bets

With so much that can happen in a game of cricket, there is a whole host of different ways to bet on the sport. Below, we have included some of the most popular ways to bet on cricket.

Match Winner

Similar to placing win bets on other sports, cricket match winner markets involve betting on the side or team that you think will win the match at the end. It is one of the most popular and simple betting markets, making it well-suited to bettors with any sort of experience level. 

Top Batsman/Top Bowler

A top batsman bet involves placing your money on the player you think will score the highest in a match overall. This can be on either team, both teams, or as an individual. Placing a bet on the top bowler involves bettors wagering on which bowler will take the most wickets either as an individual or overall in the match. These are two highly competitive betting markets where cricket punters can identify some good odds.

Total Runs/Wickets

If you think you can predict the total amount of runs that may be scored in a match or an innings, then you can look at placing a total runs bet. These are often represented as over/under bets with a total score set by the bookmaker. Bettors can also wager on the total number of wickets to be taken in a match, similarly represented in over/under bet form.

Live/In Play Bets

In-play cricket betting is a really popular and exciting way to bet on cricket. With so much that can happen, it can get very exciting, especially in longer formats of the game, where there is plenty of time to place and amend bets. The different forms of the game allow punters to find a pace at which they like to bet. Experienced bettors may prefer betting on T20 cricket, while newer punters to the sport may prefer ODIs and Tests.

Popular Cricket Events to Bet on

The Ashes

Played every two years, the Ashes is a cricket tournament contested between Australia and England. It is one of the oldest in the sport and one of the most highly competitive fixtures. It has seen some of the biggest and best scenes in the sport, with Australia having the better overall record.

Cricket World Cups

Cricket has world cups in each of its limited-over formats. Each country will get the chance to compete, with the Cricket World Cup held quadrennially being made up of ODIs, and the T20 World Cup held biennially for the shorter format of the game. These are some of the most-watched international cricket events and take place in both the men's and women's games.

IPL

One of the most popular cricket leagues in the world, the Indian Premier League, was set up in 2008 and continues to attract lots of fans and cricket bettors. It features 10 teams made up of some of the best players in the world, with players from England, the West Indies, South Africa, Australia, and more nations travelling to India to take part. It is the richest cricket league and the second richest sports league in the world.

Test Match Cricket

Played internationally between nations, Test Match Cricket is one of the best forms of the game. Held across five days but with the ability to be over in three, or even two, each side has 100 overs to try and get the other out. Test match cricket is played throughout the year and is the ultimate test of each side's stamina, skill, and leadership. Each major test series offers points for the World Test Championship table, a table that sees points accumulated over two years, and the top two teams battle it out for the trophy.

Other Tournaments

There are many more cricket tournaments and leagues that cricket fans and bettors can get involved with. We have listed some of these below:

• The Hundred

• Big Bash League

• Pakistan Super League

• T20 Blast

• Champions Trophy

• County Championships

What to Consider When Betting on Cricket

There are various factors to take into account when betting on a game of cricket. We have explored some of the key things to keep in mind when placing your cricket bets.

Pitch Conditions

The pitch conditions can also have an impact on the game. The conditions of the pitch can change throughout the day and depending on the weather. Green pitches are often easier to bat on, while some can have cracks and be soft. Hard pitches offer more bounce and cause the ball to come a lot quicker towards the bat, but softer pitches are best for bowling first. Some countries, such as England, have certain pitches to suit pace bowling, while other pitches in India and Pakistan, for example, can have pitches that are great for spin bowling.

Weather

Cricket is an outdoor sport, so the weather can often affect the game. Windy conditions can affect the bowling, while rain can stop play. Sunny conditions can blind fielders trying to catch the ball, and are also physically demanding. The weather can also impact the state of the pitch and the conditions the bowlers and batters have to face. Always take the weather forecast into consideration prior to placing your cricket bets.

Different Disciplines

The various formats of cricket can affect a side's performance. Not all sides excel in all formats, with some preferring the short format over test cricket or 50 overs instead of 20. Sides will also field different teams depending on the format. There are also powerplays in 50 and 20-over cricket where different rules apply that can impact the game.

Previous Results/Form

Before placing bets on any cricket match, it is important to do some research on the two teams playing. Check the recent results from the same formats as well as results from all matches. Look at how the players have performed for that side or in any other competitive matches they have played in. Also, look at any head-to-head matchups that give a clue as to how the game could go.

Key Cricket Terminology

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