Cricket is a team sport which has a huge number of fans. So, such events are always on the top of the sportsbook list. Matches take place all year round, and betting opportunities are almost unlimited. Yet, before placing bets, it’s essential to understand what criteria are important there. Here are 4 main ones.
Toss Results
In cricket, the turn of attack is determined by simply flipping a coin. This procedure actually has a big impact on the result of the encounter.
The team that attacks first in a test match often gains an advantage because it conducts the first attack in a fresh field with a new ball.
The batsman, for example, finds it easier to bounce the ball after it bounces off a flat, unswept area of the pitch. Therefore, the attacking first team has more opportunities to jump-start and seize the initiative in the game. This is one of the reasons why some cricket betting pros like to play the game in play, waiting for the outcome of the starting draw and thus eliminating one of the uncontrollable factors.
Weather Conditions
Weather can have a big impact on a Test match, especially on its duration, so the player should always check the weather forecast before betting on cricket.
If rain is promised, the importance of the draw results greatly increases with the shortened playing time. In England, for example, during the 5-day test match, you are likely to encounter rain, and in this case, you should already think carefully about how much playing time will be lost.
In some countries the sun goes down earlier than in other countries, and there is not much possibility for replenishing playing time (test matches are only played in natural light).
The Field Factor
In different locations and stadiums, the pitch where the main action takes place may vary from earthen surface to very short and longer turf, also the coverage may change in the same stadium from season to season depending on the care.
You also have to pay attention to cities and stadiums with traditionally high/low humidity or relatively high altitude arenas – in low humidity and thin mountain air the ball flies faster on average, so it’s easier to make a valuable 6-point shot off the field. Dry pitches are also loved by bowlers who survive by spinning the ball.
Some pitches tend to wear out faster over the course of a few days of a test game. With a pitch that is not perfectly even, the bowler has the advantage, and the batsman has a harder time bouncing back because of the more unpredictable bounce.
Form of Teams and Players
The factor of what condition the teams are approaching a certain matchup should never be overlooked. If the home team wins the first game in the big series, it is not uncommon for it to roll over the next opponents, and the guests get into a black streak of failure on the unfamiliar foreign pitching.
In betting on the statistics of individual players, the predisposition of the athlete to the current conditions of the game, his past form in a particular type of pitching can be decisive. Also, a good batsman can show a stellar level not only on his favorite pitching, but also if that coverage is extremely uncomfortable for the opposing team. It is necessary to try to summarize all factors and not forget that there are two teams on the field, each with its own characteristics of offensive and defensive play.
