Betting Blog
Farbrace 11/2 for England caoch
Jason Gillespie is the hot favourite at 6-4 to become England's new head coach but Paul Farbrace might be worth a bet at 11-2 to upgrade his current role and take overall charge under the new regime of Andrew Strauss as director of England cricket.
ESPNcricinfo staff
10-May-2015
Jason Gillespie is the hot favourite at 6-4 to become England's new head coach but Paul Farbrace might be worth a bet at 11-2 to upgrade his current role and take overall charge under the new regime of Andrew Strauss as director of England cricket.
Farbrace has the advantage of experience on the international circuit and being part of the team that has seen England's resurgence in Test cricket. He is well-liked in the dressing room and a strong communicator. England have shown their preference of appointing people close to home so Farbrace could well be next in line.
Gillespie will need persuading that a long life on the road is for him. He has a young family and even though him turning down a job with South Australia could be seen as throwing his hat into the ring for the England job, it could also mean he does not want to give up his settled life in Yorkshire. Justin Langer has similar issues so Farbrace at 11-2 could be the man.
Full postIreland 11/5 for England upset
England are on their way back in the Caribbean but the team, if not the same players, are back in action on Friday with a tricky ODI over in Dublin. Ireland will be gunning for an upset and are 11/5 to win the match.
ESPNcricinfo staff
05-May-2015
England are on their way back from the Caribbean but the team, if not the same players, are back in action on Friday with a tricky ODI over in Dublin. Ireland will be gunning for an upset and are 11/5 to win the match.
England are looking to move on from their horrendous World Cup campaign but this match will be a tough ask with an experimental XI making the trip over the Irish sea. It will be a very inexperienced line up, which could perhaps work in England's favour with plenty of players from outside the system becoming involved.
For Ireland, they will see this match as a great chance to get one over on their neighbours. They have a side full of confidence after a superb showing at the World Cup and are an experienced, settled XI. Tim Murtagh may be missing but there are still enough players to unsettle England and Ireland at 11/5 is the value bet.
Full post11/2 for England West Indies stalemate
England were relatively comfortably held at bay in the first Test in Antigua and with conditions set to be similar in the remaining rubbers of the series, 0-0 series correct score looks inviting at 11/2.
ESPNcricinfo staff
18-Apr-2015
England were relatively comfortably held at bay in the first Test in Antigua and with conditions set to be similar in the remaining rubbers of the series, 0-0 series correct score looks inviting at 11/2.
With the pitches in the West Indies largely flat and quite slow, England's seam attack is nullified. And, with Graeme Swann retired, the tourists do not have a world-class spinner to fall back on - as well as James Tredwell bowled in Antigua he did not turn the ball enough to create major problems.
West Indies showed fight and character to bat through the final four sessions to save the first Test and they are well placed to frustrate England further in the final two matches. Back 0-0 at 11/2.
Full postWarwickshire 4/1 for Championship title
Yorkshire were worthy county champions last season with no sustained challenger pressing them but this season should prove far different and Warwickshire look like the county to get behind at 4/1.
ESPNcricinfo staff
04-Apr-2015
Yorkshire were worthy county champions last season with no sustained challenger pressing them but this season should prove far different and Warwickshire look like the county to get behind at 4/1.
The White Rose have been a victim of their own success with several key players called up for England duty, they coped last season without Gary Ballance and Joe Root as Adam Lyth stepped up with a mountain of runs but now he too has been whisked off for England duty along with legspinning allrounder Adil Rashid.
With two more key figures in line to miss large parts of the county season, Warwickshire look the stronger side - provided they can get their best XI on the pitch. They suffered horrendously with injuries to the bowling attack last season; an attack that bowled them to the title in 2013. Warwickshire, at 4/1, could prove the best team in the land this season.
Full postNew Zealand 7/2 for World Cup glory
New Zealand have been eased in the betting to win the World Cup with the strong showings of Australia and India, who lead the market, and this has created some value in backing New Zealand at 7/2 to triumph on March 29.
ESPNcricinfo staff
21-Mar-2015
New Zealand have been eased in the betting to win the World Cup with the strong showings of Australia and India, who lead the market, and this has created some value in backing New Zealand at 7/2 to triumph on March 29.
Doubts grew over their batting line up after a struggle chasing a small target against Australia and a real wobble in overcoming Bangladesh. We needed to see form from their "fringe" players - batsman to take the burden off Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum. Martin Guptill delivered this in some style against West Indies.
With several of the line up bang in form and a very formidable bowling attack, plus the astute leadership of captain McCullum, New Zealand are set for a strong challenge in the semi-final against South Africa, whose batting is perhaps more vulnerable than the co-hosts'. Get through that and the Black Caps are one win away from glory. Get involved at 7/2 for them to lift the trophy.
Full postWest Indies 5/2 for quarter-final upset
It is far easier to predict the weather than which West Indies team will turn up to any given cricket match. They flatter to deceive so often but are equally so capable of a big performance. They are 5/2 to find one in the World Cup quarter-final
ESPNcricinfo staff
16-Mar-2015
It is far easier to predict the weather than which West Indies team will turn up to any given cricket match. They flatter to deceive so often but are equally so capable of a big performance. They are 5/2 to find one in the World Cup quarter-final and upset co-hosts New Zealand.
West Indies have enough about them - particularly in the batting department - to draw confidence and plenty of their players are men for the big occasion. We have seen what they can do briefly in this tournament, chiefly from Chris Gayle, and a performance nearing their best will probably be needed to get past the Black Caps.
But New Zealand have showed their vulnerability in the World Cup too - a terrible collapse against Australia and labouring to victory over Bangladesh - and as the knockout stage begins, the expectation on them will only increase. West Indies can exploit that and are 5/2 to progress.
Full post5/1 for Ashes series draw
England's trip to the West Indies can be a precursor to a successful Test summer but Australia will be a very stiff assignment and 5/1 on an Ashes draw looks a value bet.
ESPNcricinfo staff
11-Mar-2015
England's World Cup debacle will result in much soul-searching but they can quickly get back on the horse with a Test trip to the West Indies. It can be a precursor to a successful Test summer but Australia will be a very stiff assignment and 5/1 on an Ashes draw looks a value bet.
After their whitewash down under and calamatous defeat to Sri Lanka at home last year, England recovered well to run out comfortable winners against India and regain their dominance with the red ball but things will get tougher against Australia.
The Aussies are an aging side and doubts still remain about their batting line up but with the ball they are exceptionally dangerous and if fit, will be difficult to overcome. England should be able to compete but perhaps neither side will be able to edge the series so take a chance on 5/1 for a draw.
Full postWest Indies 4/6 for quarter-final exit
This is not the most outlandish bet of the World Cup but it would appear one of the most certain. West Indies are a mercurial bunch with obvious talent but they are looking dead set for a quarter-final exit and be backed at 4/6.
ESPNcricinfo staff
03-Mar-2015
This is not the most outlandish bet of the World Cup but it would appear one of the most certain. West Indies are a mercurial bunch with obvious talent but they are looking dead set for a quarter-final exit and can be backed at 4/6.
The short price reflects the current state of play. West Indies are on course to qualify in third or fourth in Group B which means coming up against Australia or New Zealand in the quarter-finals. It is very difficult to make a case for West Indies beating either of those teams - the two favourites to win the tournament.
To get an easier tie in the knockout stage, West Indies would need to beat India on Friday but given the form of both teams in this tournament so far that is very difficult to make a case for. West Indies are set for a quarter-final knock out and the 4/6 looks a steady bet.
Full postEngland 16/1 for World Cup glory
It's been a chastening start to the World Cup for England after two hammerings at the hands of Australia and more brutally by New Zealand but all is still to play for and they are now a tasty 16/1 to win the World Cup.
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2015
It's been a chastening start to the World Cup for England after two hammerings at the hands of Australia and more brutally by New Zealand but all is still to play for and they are now a tasty 16/1 to win the World Cup.
England bounced back to thump Scotland and calls that it should have been a wider margin of victory should be ignored - England needed a confidence boost and got just that. They now go into their next group match with Sri Lanka as marginal favourites.
A victory over Sri Lanka could secure England an easier quarter-final tie and in the knockout phase it only takes three good performance to lift the trophy - that's well within this England team. Have a little faith and a flutter at 16/1.
Full post16/1 on Australia England final
It may have been a chastening opening to the World Cup for England but there is plenty to play for and they can be backed at 16/1 to meet Australia in the World Cup final on March 29.
ESPNcricinfo staff
18-Feb-2015
It may have been a chastening opening to the World Cup for England but there is plenty to play for and they can be backed at 16/1 to meet Australia in the World Cup final on March 29.
The teams are guaranteed to avoid each other in the quarter-finals. Australia are also unlikely to play South Africa, unless the Proteas make a mess of qualifying, smoothing their passage through. England will fancy their chances of beating India, Pakistan, West Indies - or even Ireland - in Australian conditions.
The semi-final is obviously a one-off match and while it may take a leap of faith to predict England's qualification, Australia are rock solid to make the final and are 16/1 to meet their rivals at the MCG in the final.
Full post