When it comes to betting Cricket there is a myriad of choices. You can bet on Test cricket, One Day Internationals, the World Cup, Australian and English domestic matches. So many more and in so many ways.

There is an extensive range of exotic markets out there and nearly every major bookmaker covers cricket. During the match there are lots of running market options to keep the excitement going.
I have used the India vs Australia 2008 Series as an example of the possible bets you could have.

Exotic Bets: India vs Australia Test Matches and Series

India vs Australia To Win the Coin Toss:
Payout on the team which wins the coin toss.

India vs Australia: Opening Partnership (1st Innings):
Payout on team with Highest Score when their first wicket falls.

India vs Australia: 1st Innings Leads:
Payout on the team who are leading after both teams have completed or declared closed their first innings.

India vs Australia: India High Bat (1st Innings):
Payout on the Indian batsman who scores the most runs in the 1st Innings.

India vs Australia: Australia High Bat (1st Innings):
Payout on the Australian batsman who scores the most runs in the 1st Innings.

India vs Australia: Mode of First Dismissal:
Payout on correct identification of mode of dismissal. Caught fielder, caught wicket keeper, bowled, leg before wicket (LBW), stumped, run out, and any other mode of dismissal.

As well as betting the straight out winner of the Series, you can try for the correct score, and try to pick the player from each team with the most runs or wickets for the series.

Due to Australian Federal Legislation punters can only bet on games in progress via the phone. Internationally the majority of money wagered on cricket is through running markets. For example a running market is ‘next wicket to fall’ or ‘highest score between two players currently at the crease’, this betting allows the punter to back their opinion about what is taking place on the field. 

Betting the spread is another way you can make cricket betting pay. Spread betting is one option that offers great rewards and still keeps you involved in the match. Sports Acumen offer spread betting on Rugby league, Australian rules, soccer, golf, tennis, American football, motor racing, thoroughbred racing and cricket.

Spread betting is an unfixed bet type which allows the punter to predict the outcome of a match and back their judgment against the spread. The ‘spread’ is a scoring range created by the bookmaker for a specific match, if you believe the spread is too high or too low simply buy or sell accordingly. Eg If you believe the spread is too low then you ‘buy’, which means for every point over the spread the result is you win/lose by multiplying your stake by the difference between the top of the spread and the result.

This is an extract from an article written by Shane Connell, published in Edition 1 of Horse Racing Australia Magazine.

“For instance if Sports Acumen are offering Ricky Ponting to score 70 runs and he continues his summer runs for centuries, going on to score 150 for the match then the win is 80 times your unit stake. So if you bought Ponting at 70 runs for $10 the win in this match is + $800. However should Ponting get out for 10 runs, you will owe 70 minus 10 = 60 x $10= $600.

South Africa is playing Sri Lanka in the VB Series. Sports Acumen has offered South Africa over Sri Lanka by 14-24. If you believe South Africa will win by more than 24 runs the you would buy quoting your unit stake. If you believe South Africa will win by less than 14 runs, or that Sri Lanka will win then you would sell at 14 quoting your unit stake. In the instance where Sri Lanka reach the target set by South Africa within 50 overs then every wicket they win by is worth 10 runs. So if Sri Lanka reaches the target set by South Africa in the 47th over and have 4 wickets in hand then Sri Lanka win by 40. Therefore the winning margin is 54 if you sold at 14.”

Or if you’re a simpler punter and just want to bet outright then you can choose most any bookmaker and find a cricket market. In International Cricket:

The Ashes is an international competition between Australia and England. The 2008/09 season consists of five test matches, seven one-day internationals, and two twenty20 internationals. Australia are the current champions and most successful team with 31 titles over England’s 28.

As you can see there are so many ways to take the sport you love to watch to another level. There are so many markets out there and some many bookies offering the best prices. Just go with your gut and chances are you’ll be in for a little surprise.