Tag: Sri Lanka

Cricket World Cup: Day 25 Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

A slightly different approach today.  Rather than answer the three pressing questions of world cricket, we’re updating the odds on our favourite Cricket World Cup markets:

The Odds Update

The Cricket World Cup Winner

Australia are firming as overwhelming favourites despite their Pool game loss against New Zealand at Eden Park.  Two huge totals against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan has reaffirmed the punters belief.  New Zealand has shortened to second favourites as the pre-tournament and current odds indicate:

Australia – $2.90 $2.30

New Zealand – $6.00 $4.20

South Africa – $4.00 $4.50

India – $10.00 $5.50

Sri Lanka – $11.00 $20

The Top Run-Scorer

Kumar Sangakkara has such an appetite for runs that it’s hard to see him lose this lead unless his side can’t make the semi-finals (giving one player two more innings than him).  He’ll look to feast out again today against Scotland and could make it four hundreds in a row.  Amla and de Villiers also looking good on that list.

Kumar Sangakkara (372) – $15.00 $4.50

AB de Villiers (318) – $14.00 $5.50

Shikhar Dhawan (333) – $41.00 $6.00

Hashim Amla (295) – $11.00 $6.50

Virat Kohli (263) – $15.00 $12.00

David Warner (243) – $9.00 $12.00

Brendon McCullum (249) – $15.00 $13.00

The Top Wicket-Taker

The swing bowlers dominate the top few places on the wicket-taking charts with left armers Starc and Boult the favourites.  Both New Zealand and Australia have final matches left against lesser nations (apologies Bangladesh) to up the tally ahead of the knockout stages.  The two New Zealanders also play their knockout games in Wellington and Auckland (if they win) and both venues have taken swing in the tournament so far.

Mitchell Starc (12) – $10.00 $5.00

Trent Boult (13) – $26.00 $5.50

Tim Southee (13) – $23.00 $5.50

Mohammed Shami (12) – $51.00 $10.00

Daniel Vettori (12) – $34.00 $10.00

Ravi Ashwin (11) – $67.00 $13.00

Today’s Matchup

Scotland v Sri Lanka, Bellerive Oval (Hobart – fine weather forecast), starts 2:30pm local time.

Scotland – $13.00

Sri Lanka – $1.03

Sri Lanka can reaffirm their third place position in Pool A and get some practice ahead of their quarterfinal showdown with South Africa or Pakistan.  In seeking their fourth win of the tournament they’ll hope to bury some Glenn Maxwell shaped demons, and find a better solution to death bowling.  They’ll also hope Herath is available to reduce the pressure on young spinners Prassana or Senanayake.  Dinesh Chandimal has left the tournament injured, and in his absence the batsman can feast out on runs against Scotland’s inexperienced attack.

Scotland have two games left to find a World Cup win.  Their most recent effort was one of their best.  A total of 318 thanks largely to Kyle Coetzer against Bangladesh might have been enough on another day, and they’ll need something similarly impressive today to compete with Sri Lanka.

Today’s Bet

The “Preston is in England not in Scotland” Bet.

A bet celebrating England’s early World Cup exit with a slap in the face top score by a bloke with the same name as a city in Lancashire.

Preston Mommsen to Top Score – $6.50

Odds taken from Sportsbet.

Cricket World Cup: Day 22 Recap

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The tournament co-hosts both got the w on day 22 of the Cricket World Cup.  Read our match repots on both of yesterday’s games below:

Day 22 Results

1. New Zealand v Afghanistan

Five from five and guaranteed top spot in Pool A for the Black Caps after their comfortable win against Afghanistan in Napier yesterday.

The win looked relatively comfortable on paper but was a little more protracted in reality.  New Zealand, and many of their fans would have been hoping to bat first and give crease time to Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor and Grant Elliot.  However, Afghanistan were probably reluctant to subject their bowlers to another possible 400 run humiliation, and batted first.

Immediately forced to regret the decision, Afghanistan were under all sorts of pressure at 59/6.  Daniel Vettori and Trent Boult doing the bulk of the damage.  Rather than collapsing in an almighty heap, Najibullah and Shenwari put together the only praetorship of note – one of 86.  The two went about their work in different fashion.  Najibullah was aggressive, a little lucky, but showed his potential by depositing Southee into the stands on two occasions.  Whereas, Shenwari was calm and composed.  He survived a nasty blow to the helmet to register a patient fifty.

Afghanistan kept New Zealand in the field for 47.3 overs – the longest of any side in the World Cup thus far.  They also forced McCullum to bowl Elliot, something neither Australia nor England could do.

In reply, the Black Caps got to the target 4 down.  Mccallum provided the usual powerplay aggression, and Martin Guptill made a much needed half century before being run out.  Taylor and Elliot also got to the crease, but question marks will remain over Taylor’s form and mindset (he’s incredibly cautious at the moment) heading in to the rest of the tournament.

New Zealand 188 for 4 (Guptill 57, McCullum 42) beat Afghanistan 186 (Najibullah 56, Shenwari 54, Vettori 4-18, Boult 3-34) by six wickets

2. Australia v Sri Lanka

Glenn Maxwell was the difference between the two sides in an absorbing Sydney encounter.  His hundred – coming from just 51 balls – trumped Kumar Sangakkara’s third consecutive hundred, to help Australia to a 64 run win.

Australia changed their side again, dropping Mitchell Marsh for Shane Watson, and brining in Xavier Doherty for his first run of the tournament.  The changes did not affect the momentum as Steven Smith settled in to his work at number three again and captain, Michael Clarke retuned to Sydney in style.  Smith made 72, Clarke 68; together they laid the platform for the likes of Maxwell Watson and Haddin to flourish.  Maxwell reaffirmed his importance to Australia, and outline his billing as the most dangerous player in the tournament with a sublime hundred.  He added 160 with Watson in just 13.4 overs to drive the total to 376.

Sri Lanka looked good for parts of the case.  Dilshan and Sangakkara put together an excellent counter-attack to send them on their way, but clumps of wickets in the middle overs when the asking rate was all a bit too much stifled the chase.

Both teams will make the quarterfinals and both have match-winning individuals, therefore it will be interesting to see who goes further.

Australia 376 for 9 (Maxwell 102, Smith 72, Clarke 68, Watson 67) beat Sri Lanka 312 (Sangakkara 104, Dilshan 62, Chandimal 52 retired hurt, Faulkner 3-48) by 64 runs

Cricket World Cup: Day 16 Recap

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Day 16 Results

1. Sri Lanka v England

Being better but still losing by ten wickets is wonderfully bittersweet.  Especially when you’re the England skipper and your own form is horrendous, your getting grief for not singing the side’s national anthem, and if you’re out of the Cricket World Cup if you don’t beat Afghanistan and Bangladesh in your last two games.

That’s what Eoin Morgan’s going through. Piling on three hundred he would’ve gone to lunch pretty satisfied with his teams work.  Joe Root laid the platform with a well controlled hundred, and Jos Buttler finished it off with the death over impetus that the situation demanded.  Lunch would have gone down well, with Morgan assuming his band of quicks would have no trouble defending the huge total.

But they couldn’t.  They were never a chance as Sri Lanka waltzed to an imperious victory – by nine wickets and with 16 balls remaining.  Centuries to Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne suddenly making Morgan’s position as captain looking shaky.  Sangakkara was particularly masterful.  His hundred coming from just 70 balls and upping the ante just when required.  In fact, the hundred was Sangakkara’s quickest ever, and outlines the ominous form he is currently in (near his very best).  Thirimanne also enjoyed the flat pitch as he looks more assured in his role at the tope of the order.  His hundred means all of Sri Lanka’s top four have crossed the hundred mark in this Cricket World Cup.

England’s bowlers look dreadfully off the pace and are unlikely to worry any opposition batsman on these surfaces.  Their two best bowlers (over a long period of time), Stuart Broad and James Anderson are averaging 92 and 91 respectively with the ball in the four games they have completed in the Cricket World Cup.  They need to get the Kookaburra ball swinging and quickly if they are any chance to make the quarterfinals and then surprise someone in them.

A batting order change around is probably necessary too.  We’d have Ali, Hales, Bell, Root, Buttler, Taylor, Morgan…

Sri Lanka 312 for 1 (Thirimanne 139*, Sangakkara 117*) beat England 309 for 6 (Root 121, Bell 49) by nine wickets

2. Pakistan v Zimbabwe

Pakistan finally got on the board at the Cricket World Cup with a gritty win over underdogs Zimbabwe in Canberra.  Zimbabwe’s known achilles heal – their inability to contain run rates at the death – and their Betcirca predicted second achilles heal – inability to handle the bounce of Mohammed Irfan – ultimately cost them the game, despite being competitive throughout.

Pakistan are developing some fragilities of their own.  The batting unit look well below par, and they were indebted to Misbah-ul-Haq and Wahab Riaz for bringing some respectability to the total and ensuring the bowlers had something to defend.  At 127/5 and 155/6 Pakistan looked to be sliding towards another World Cup defeat, and their place in the knockout stages was looking dicey.  However, the ever patient ul-Haq and Riaz managed to put together a partnership of 47, and Riaz was able to continue the momentum in the final overs to help his team post 235.  Zimbabwe conceded 73 from the last ten overs and put down two of the easiest outfield catches you’ll ever see, in a further example of the reason they can’t quite get wins at this level.

Zimbabwe’s chase started poorly.  They lost three early wickets to Mohammed Irfan which derailed any chance of early momentum and meant they would always be chasing the game.  Brendon Taylor did his best to hold the innings together, and Elton Chigumbura batted bravely in the face of a significant injury concern, but they still fell 20 runs short.  Irfan added a fourth wicket, and Riaz matched his haul, while Umar Akmal had a hand in six dismissals.

Pakistan 235 for 7 (Misbah 73, Wahab 54*, Chatara 3-35) beat Zimbabwe 215 (Taylor 50, Irfan 4-30, Wahab 4-45) by 20 runs

Cricket World Cup: Day 16 Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The Three Big Questions

What does New Zealand’s win mean for the World Cup?

The Black Caps win was highly entertaining but doesn’t mean all that much for the rest of the World Cup.  They will probably top Pool A now and have a home quarterfinal and semifinal if they get that far.  It makes  Australia’s road slightly harder and they may face the difficult prospect of South Africa in the semi-final; possibly a little earlier than anticipated.  The win proves low totals are defendable, showcases swing bowling as a very serious weapon against the power hitting approach, but also shows New Zealand’s susceptibility to quality pace bowling.  Taylor, Elliot and Anderson all looked vulnerable to real pace, and their form will be a concern.

How will Australia respond?

By dominating all of their opponents in the lead up to the semifinals.  It was certainly a wake up call and we expect them to bounce back with huge performances against Scotland, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.  Big wins against the raining Pool companions will return them to confidence and remove any demons from their Eden Park performance – they won’t bat this badly again in the tournament.

What did the win do to the tournament winner odds?

Australia – $2.90, South Africa – $4.00, New Zealand – $4.25.

No change to the outright market after the unexpected win.  While New Zealand may shorten over the next few days, there was no flurry of money on New Zealand after their nervy batting performance.  Australia still big favourites (as expected).

Today’s Matchups

1. England v Sri Lanka, Wellington Regional Stadium (Wellington – mostly sunny), starts 11:00am local time

England – $1.85

Sri Lanka – $1.95

Bookies are having a hard time separating two evenly matched teams in the day’s first encounter in Wellington.  Both teams have had their share of disappointment in the tournament thus far, but both are coming off big wins against Scotland and Bangladesh respectively.  This game should give a good indication of the merits of each teams Cricket World Cup chances.

Look for plenty of runs on a quick Wellington surface and expect this one to go deep into the last overs to find a winner.

2. Pakistan v Zimbabwe, The Gabba (Brisbane – parlty cloudy), starts 1:30pm local time

Pakistan – $1.25

Zimbabwe – $4.00

Pakistan have the chance to ease the nerves of their entire nation, and in the process save a few effigies from the predictable burning.  Their easiest matchup of the World Cup thus far gives them an opportunity to build confidence, find some form, and settle on the combinations that will hopefully compete in the knockout stages.  Zimbabwe haven’t played a bad game yet so they’ll target this one as a genuine upset chance.  How they handle the uncomfortable bounce of Mohammed Irfan will ultimately determine how they go.  Oh and their death bowling needs to improve too.

Today’s Multi

The Sexual Innuendo Multi

Joe Root to Top Score – $5.00 + ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi to Win Man of the Match Award – $12.00

Pays – $60.00

Odds from BetEasy.

Cricket World Cup: Day 13 Recap

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No upsets on Day 13 of the Cricket World Cup, but for the second day in a row and associate nation matchup made for compelling cricket.  The Afghanistan / Scotland nail biter was in stark contrast to the one-sided matchup across the Tasman between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Check out our take on the two games:

Day 13 Results

1. Afghanistan v Scotland

Afghanistan justified their favourites tag and created World Cup history when they beat Scotland by one wicket.  Their first ever World Cup win was a nervous affair that had more twists and turns than an NRL cocaine scandal.  A fine 96 from Samiullah Shenwari saw them bounce back from a precarious 97/7 to deliver an emotional win that justified their involvement in world cricket.

Earlier, Scotland had again struggled with the bat on a zesty Dunedin surface.  Happy to throw the bat at any width, but reluctant to tighten their games in accordance with the movement on offer, the Scots just got to 200 for the first time in a World Cup.  The innings featured plenty of 20’s and 30’s on the scorecard but no standouts.  In fairness, 210 could have been much worse when they were 132/6, but Alasdair Evans and Majid Haq hung around to see out the overs.  The Afghanistan quicks, who are in actuality a formidable opening pair shared seven wickets between them in a Boult / Southee like performance.

In response Afghanistan almost made an alright hash of their run chase.  Starting aggressively, perhaps in the pursuit of a net run rate improvement, they raced to 40 in just 7 overs, mainly thanks to Javed Ahmadi, before their first lost wicket derailed their momentum.  Royally so too.  They lost 7/55 to leave their pursuit of a first win nigh on impossible.  Shenwari finally found some support in Hassan and Zadran to get them home.  His three consecutive sixes of Haq broke the back of the chase and although he couldn’t see them all the way home, was the obvious man of the match.

Afghanistan 211 for 9 (Shenwari 96, Ahmadi 51, Berrington 4-40) beat Scotland 210 (Shapoor 4-38, Dawlat 3-29) by one wicket

2. Sri Lanka v Bangladesh

Big second wicket partnerships are all the rage in 2015 Cricket World Cup and Sri Lanka didn’t want to be left behind.  Hence Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara combined for a baby mammoth 210 run stand to end Bangladesh’s hopes of causing an upset.  We say baby mammoth, because Gayle and Samuels have redefined the levels of mammoth.

Dilshan and Sangakkara used all of their experience to manoeuvre their side to a competitive total and register personal milestones of their own.  Sangakkara celebrated his 400th ODI with another ODI century, and Dilshan recorded his 21st.  In posting the challenging target, they took advantage of sloppy fielding and catching from the Tigers, something their captain, Mashrafe Mortaza, said was the losing of the game.

Bangladesh were 92 short of the target when they were bowled out in the 47th over.  At 100/5 the match was essentially over, however Shakib, Mushfiqur and Sabbir were able to get some late batting practice in.

Sri Lanka couldn’t afford a loss and didn’t.  It may have been nice to get Matthews, Karunaratne and Chandimal some batting practice to ease the reliance on their big three.  But a win is a win.

Sri Lanka 332 for 1 (Dilshan 161*, Sangakkara 105*) beat Bangladesh 240 (Sabbir 53, Shakib 46, Malinga 3-35) by 92 runs

Cricket World Cup: Day 13 Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The Three Big Questions

Next big upset at the Cup?

See our suggested multi today featuring upsets in both today’s games.  They’re probably more heart than head, so we’re looking at the West Indies as the side most capable of upsetting more favoured opponents.  Their next two matches are against South Africa and India and they could spring a surprise in one or both of those.  In particular, the match against India at the WACA is a great opportunity for their tall timbers to make things uncomfortable for their batsman.

Who is the most frugal bowler in the World Cup so far?

There are a few one games conceding only two runs per over, but of the bowlers who have bowed more than 10 overs, New Zealand’s Danile Vettori leads the way, giving away only 3.03 runs per over.  He’s followed by Mirwais Ashraf (3.66), Paul Stirling (3.75) and Mohammed Shami (3.82) in a list that gives no indication as to which type of bowler is having the greatest run-rate impact in the tournament whatsoever.

Which batsman is doing the most damage per balls faced?

Our weird way of asking who has the highest strike rate in the tournament is answered by the name, Andre Russell.  The West Indian Mr T lookalike is striking at an impressive 265.38 from his 26 balls thus far; proving a real point of difference at the end of an innings for a West Indian tam that have scored in excess of 300 in all of their efforts to date.  Brad Haddin (221.42), last night’s hero Kevin O’Brien (192.3) and Brendon McCullum (182.55) finish off the list.

Today’s Matchup

1. Scotland v Afghanistan, University Oval (Dunedin – partly cloudy), starts 11:00am local time

Scotland – $2.35

Afghanistan – $1.59

Afghanistan start as favourites for match 17 of the Cricket World Cup, against the struggling Scotland lads. They’re favourites because they lead the head to head 5-3, although Scotland got the better of them at the time of last trying, a big win by 150 runs in Abu Dhabi.  Scotland’s World Cup woes against England and NZ have also seen them lose popularity amongst punters and bookies.  Scotland are desperate to overturn their disappointing returns with the willow, and may have been eyeing a sub-continent side as a reducing their concerns against pace bowling.  But, Afghanistan quickies are some of the best going around so it won’t be easy to escape the barrage.

2. Sri Lanka v Bangladesh

Sri Lanka – $1.22

Bangladesh – $4.35

The World Cup tale of the two Asian sides in the day’s second match has been vastly different.  Bangladesh were impressive in their only appearance in the tournament, whereas their rivals have been very poor.  A loss to New Zealand was followed up with a nail-fittingly close win over Afghanistan; a win that failed to instill confidence in anyone watching.  Mahela Jayawardene was the obvious plus, but he always is and always has been.  They have always (perhaps too much so) relied on Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Dilshan, and that reliance is proving to be to their detriment.  Sri Lanka need contributions from more of the squad if they are to get up and beat a Bangladesh side desperate to get into the quarter-finals and buoyed after the bonus point they gained from the Brisbane washout.

Today’s Bet

The Day 13 Double Upset Multi

Bangladesh and Scotland To Win – $9.57

Odds from Luxbet.