Cricket Guide
The following guide will explain how to bet on one of the most popular sports in the world cricket. With a range of available betting markets varying from betting on a team to win, or to something as simple on betting on a coin toss, there are numerous ways for you to maximise profit.
If you fancy a bet, check out our free bet offers here, or for our favourite tips, then take a look at our Bet of the Day.
How a game of Cricket is won
Cricket is a game played between two teams of eleven players. The sport involves a bat and a ball and takes place on a cricket field. In the centre of the field is a paler strip of ground called the ‘cricket pitch’. This is an area 22 yards in lengths with 3 stumps on either side, known as wickets. The aim of the game is for the team batting to score as many runs as possible, whilst their opponents’ field. The aim of the team fielding (not batting) is to stop the batting team from scoring runs and to dismiss the batsmen. Whichever team scores the most runs at the end of the match is the winner.
The game is played with two batsmen who face balls from an opposing member of the team and attempt to score runs. The opposing team will also have 10 fielding players as well as the bowler, whose job it is to dismiss the batting player and keep the run rate as low as possible. The aim of the striking player (batter) is to protect his wicket whilst also scoring runs to outscore his opponent. The bowler must “bowl” the balls with a straight arm and release the ball from above the shoulder.
How runs are scored – Runs are scored on the play after a batsman strikes a ball, both batting players then need to touch the ground within the crease at the opposite end of the cricket pitch. This can be done a number of times, but they run the risk of being ‘run out’ when doing so. Due to the size of the field, it is very difficult to make more than 3 or 4 runs this way.
To compensate for this, there are runs available for hitting the ball outside the boundaries. Boundaries are exactly what you would expect, a marked point around the perimeter of the field. If the ball crosses the boundary having bounced the batting team, they will be awarded 4 points. If the ball crosses the boundary without bouncing the batting team will be awarded 6 points.
A batsman can be dismissed in a number of ways, here are the most common ways for batsmen to be dismissed.
Bowled – When the bowler hits the stumps directly with the ball
Leg before wicket (LBW) – This is when the ball is on course for the stumps but is prevented from hitting them by the use of the batsman’s body and not his bat.
Run out – When a batting team is making runs they run the risk of being run out. This is when a bowling takes an opponent’s wicket while they are not in their crease.
Stumped – Not totally dissimilar to being run out. A batting player can have their stumps broken when they are outside of their ground (crease). For example, they have failed to strike a ball bowled at them and has left his crease; they can then be stumped by a wicketkeeper if they fail to enter their crease in time.
Caught – If a batsman has played the ball and an opponent catches the ball without it bouncing then they are dismissed. They can only be dismissed if the ball is caught within the boundary.
T20 Cricket rules/explanation
T20 is a shortened form of the sport cricket which sees both teams restricted to 20 overs each. The game is typically played over the course of 3 hours, with each innings taking around 75-90 minutes to complete, with a short interval of around 10-20 minutes in between. T20 was introduced to create a much higher tempo game of cricket, that would appeal to spectators in grounds and on television.
Rules
Twenty20 is a form of cricket that involves 2 teams of eleven players, that each have a single innings in which to accumulate more runs than their opponent. Each team bats for a maximum of 20 overs, or until they have been run out, or scored more runs than their opponent. An over is the delivery of six legal consecutive bowls by the baller.
Each bowler can bowl a maximum of 4 overs.
In the event of a no-ball being given for a bowler overstepping the crease, the batting team will be awarded 1 run, and his next delivery will be designated a ‘free hit’. A ‘free hit’ means that the batsman can only be dismissed through a run-out, hitting the ball twice, obstructing the field or handling the ball.
If at the end of each teams innings the scores are tied the game will always be decided by a Super Over. In a Super Over each team nominates three batsmen and one bowler to play a one-over per side mini-match. The side with the highest score after the super over wins. If the game is still tied after a super over then the team who scored the most boundaries within the 20 overs wins.
One day cricket
One day cricket is a shortened form of cricket that involves 2 teams of eleven players, that each have a single innings in which to accumulate more runs than their opponent. Each team bats for a set number of overs (generally between 20 and 50) or until they have been run out, or scored more runs than their opponent. An over is the delivery of six legal consecutive bowls by the baller.
Much like Twenty20 cricket, this is a faster-paced version of the sport which encourages batsman to take more risks, making it more entertaining as a spectacle.
In a One Day International, you will typically see matches with innings lasting 50 overs. In List A games you will typically see games with innings lasting anywhere between 40 and 60 overs.
Each team is allowed a maximum of 5 bowlers with a maximum of 10 overs allowed per bowler.
Test Match
Test cricket is the original and longest form of the sport, and is widely regarded as the highest standard. Again test cricket is played by two teams of eleven players, that play a four-innings match. This generally lasts anywhere up to 5 days, but there have been cases where games have gone on longer.
To win the match
Placing a bet on a team to score the highest number of points at the end of the match. This is a 2-way market in which you can bet on either the home team or away team.
To win the toss
Placing a bet on a team to win the coin toss at the beginning of the match. The coin toss always has a 50% chance of winning and is used to decide which team bowls first, and which team bats first. This is a 2-way market in which you can bet on either the home team or away team.
Man of the Match
Placing a bet on which player you believe will be given the man of the match award at the end of the game. There can only be one man of the match and the player can be from any of the two teams.
Top Team Batsman
Placing a bet on the player you believe will score the highest number of runs for a team.
Top Team Bowler
Placing a bet on the bowler that will take the most wickets within a match. In the event of two or more players ending on an equal number of wickets then the bowler with the least number of runs conceded will be deemed the winner.
Highest Opening Partnership
Placing a bet on which team will have the highest number of runs before the first wicket is taken. This is a 3-way market in which you can bet on the home team, away team and a tie.
Most Match Sixes
Placing a bet on which team will have the most sixes within the match. This is a 3-way market in which you can bet on the home team, away team and a tie.
Team to Make Highest 1st 6 Overs Score
Placing a bet on which team you expect to have the highest number of runs when they have both played six overs. This is a 2-way market in which you can bet on either the home team or away team.
1st Over Total Runs
Placing a bet on the number of runs to be scored in the opening over of the match. This is a 2-way market in which you can bet on whether there will be over or under the amount of runs the bookmaker states.
A fifty to be scored in the match
Placing a bet on whether you think a player will score 50 runs or above in the match. This is the 2-way market where you can bet yes or no.
A hundred to be scored in the match
Placing a bet on whether you think a player will score 100 runs or above in the match. This is the 2-way market where you can bet yes or no.
Next Wicket Method
Placing a bet on how the next wicket till be taken. This is a six-way market with the following options: Caught, Bowled, LBW, Run Out, Stumped and Others.
Runs at Fall of 1st Wicket
Placing a bet on how many runs will be scored by a team before the first wicket has been taken. This is a 2-way market in which you can bet over or under the line set by the bookmaker. If no wickets are taken during the match then all bets are void.
Most Run Outs (Fielding)
Placing a bet on which team will create the most run outs whilst fielding. This is a 3-way market where you can back on either the home team, away team or a tie.
Match handicap
A 2-way market in which a bookmaker sets a handicap/line that they feel has an equal chance of happening. A method used by many cricket traders who prefer to take a team at a handicap price rather than just ‘to win the match’ as it offers higher odds.
Total Match Sixes
Placing a bet on the number of sixes that will be scored in a match. This is a 2 way market where you can bet on over or under the line that has been set by the bookmaker.
Player Performances
Placing a bet on the number of runs a particular player will score. This is a 2-way market in which you back over or under the line/number of runs set by the bookmaker.
Batsman Matches
This is a 2-way market where a bookmaker will choose a batsman from each team to go up against each other. For this bet you are betting on which selected batsman will score the highest number of runs.
Race to 10 Runs
Placing a bet on which player you believe will be the first player to make 10 runs or above.
To Win Series
Placing a bet on a team to win the ‘Series’ in which they are competing in.
To Win Outright
Placing a bet on a team to win the tournament/competition in which they are competing in.