Best Of Bets

Category: Cricket

  • Ashes 2023 | Back England to end on 11/8 Oval high

     

    As the Fifth Ashes Test moves to London, England will look to deny Australia a rare series victory at The Oval.

    After weather put pay to their chances of regaining the urn, the hosts will be in no mood to roll over – if the elements play ball.

    The tourists have not won an Ashes series away from home outright since 2001.

    Will a weary-looking Baggy Greens take full bragging rights or can a deflated England level the series?

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    Ashes hopes doused

    It was all going so swimmingly in the Fourth Test at Old Trafford – before Manchester then did turn into an impromptu outdoor pool.

    Having won the toss and putting Australia in to bat, England had fortune in their own hands.

    Building a lead in excess of 200 runs after registering their first 500 this summer, the hosts seemed in control.

    As Day 3 began, Bazball was in top gear; Jonny Bairstow was electrifying; Australia were visibly labouring.

    However, in the distance lurked the sword of Damocles that is the British summer weather.

    Clamours for a declaration might have been heard earlier, but in truth, on a pitch that was still largely lifeless, Australia were happy to block – even at five down.

    When Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed to bring about Tea on Saturday, the extra hour proved academic as the predicted weather closed in.

    As Sunday arrived, a blanket of rain proceeded to park itself over Manchester.

    It was game over – the Ashes would stay Down Under.

     

    Hosts can play spoilers

    After outplaying the opposition last time out and now only able to draw the series at best, a doubtless deflated England will need some lifting

    However, winning the final Test will be the least the hosts feel they deserve.

    In 2019, England traveled to the capital with a 2-1 deficit knowing the Ashes were out of reach; the story is the same four years on.

    Embed from Getty Images

    As the absent Jofra Archer dismantled Australia, England won out by 155 runs.

    The Aussies, now with the urn firmly tucked into their travel cases, will not lack motivation either.

    With the chance of a first away series victory in 22 years, the tourists could yet stick the knife in.

     

    Anderson quandary; tourists could rotate

    For England, the big question ahead of Thursday is: will James Anderson play?

    Having struggled this summer, the veteran is far from a certain pick for the finale.

    However, in likely his final Ashes appearance, can England’s selectors deny arguably their greatest ever bowler a fitting send-off?

    Anderson, who turns 41 on Sunday has just four wicket this series.

    Yet, a huge part of four victorious sides – including the 2011/12 crop who won in Australia – the first in 24 years – can Jimmy really be left out?

    Embed from Getty Images

    If Anderson is omitted, the decision then is whether to bring back Josh Tongue, with Ollie Robinson the extra option, if passed fit.

    The former, posted season-best figures of 5-29 last week against Leicestershire.

    Moeen Ali looks set to continue at no.3 after a sterling showing in Manchester.

    In the case of the Aussies, retaining the urn has done little to disguise a side who are out of juice.

    That comes with little surprise.

    Come Monday evening, the World Test champions will have played six almost back-to-back games in the space of less than two months.

    Mitch Marsh and Mitchell Starc are Australia’s two main injury concerns.

    Reports suggest the impressive Marsh could be used as a specialist batter only.

    That would leave only four bowlers in the line-up.

    If Todd Murphy is recalled – as expected – Cameron Green’s void in the batting department could still leave the tourists short.

    Murphy, however, looks a sure thing on an Oval pitch which has often turned later in the piece.

     

    England marginal to level

    So where do the bookies see the finale heading?

    England have won three of the last five traditional end-of-series meetings at the Oval, with Australia victorious just once since 2001.

    The markets lean toward that statistic.

    England are 11/8 with William Hill to end the summer all-square, with the tourists 17/10 with BetUK.

    If, meanwhile, punters foresee another weather-dominated Test – even if not – the draw at 29/10 with BetVictor is the alternative choice.

  • Ashes 2023 | Faith in Bazball remains for pivotal Old Trafford Test

     

    Has the 2023 Ashes ruthlessly exposed Bazball as a weakness under the umbrella of Test Cricket?

    For now the jury is out, but as the Fourth Test of an exhilarating Ashes summer begins on Thursday at Old Trafford, England once more find themselves on the brink.

    Finally on the board at Headingley, the hosts need to win in Manchester to keep their Ashes hopes alive.

    Can England level the series?

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    Crunch time, again

    As the returning Mark Wood and Chris Woakes rode to England’s rescue in Leeds, the duo who have waited for their Ashes moment, delivered.

    However, Australia retain the upper hand and England’s task of winning three back-to-back Tests to regain the urn remains a tall one.

    Skipper Ben Stokes’ perennial heroics may have given the hosts a much-needed shot in the arm, but whilst beating Australia in successive games may now feel more attainable, England’s fight this week is against something far more worldly.

    Mother nature.

     

    Bazball can shine through gloom

    Following three scintillating games that have reached a suitable conclusion, Old Trafford is up against the elements.

    As Southern Europe melts in record-breaking heat, Manchester looks set to live up to an oft-disproven myth as ‘the rainiest city in England’.

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    Whilst for the moment Thursday looks dry, the same cannot be said of the other four days.

    Bazball might yet come into its own.

    England will need their accelerated, aggressive approach more than ever and arguably skipper Ben Stokes must win the coin flip.

    If successful, however, England can write the playbook for what is likely to be a truncated Test.

     

    Keeping faith

    Despite victory, the clamour for Ben Foakes to take the gloves from an errant Jonny Bairstow were loud.

    However, those calls have once more been ignored.

    With minimal changes made, England’s hierarchy are bent on keeping the faith.

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    James Anderson returns for his home Test with the hope that bowling from his own end will resurrect his summer.

    Moeen Ali’s move up the order to no.3 is the bolder move but whether it gives England’s batting order stability remains to be seen.

    For the tourists, the absence of Nathan Lyon is proving a predictable issue.

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    Todd Murphy left the Baggy Greens exposed at Headingley and coach Andrew McDonald is reportedly toying with an all-out seam attack.

    Following Mitch Marsh’s successful return to the fold, a fit-again Cameron Green could come back in with the forecast swaying any argument.

    But despite Australia tinkering with their line-up, the onus remains firmly on English shoulders.

     

    Can England level the series?

    The hosts are marginal favourites at 6/4 with Betfred for the win, with Australia 7/4 with William Hill.

  • Ashes 2023 betting: England, Australia set for Third Test shake-up

    Ashes 2023 betting: England, Australia set for Third Test shake-up

     

    There was controversy, and an overdue dash of Ben Stokes genius; it was another classic Ashes Test at Lord’s.

    After Long Room scuffles and allegations of ‘cheating’ though, the bottom line is Australia hold a 2-0 series lead.

    As the two sides travel north to Headingley for the Third Test, in sporting parlance, it’s now do-or-die for Bazball.

    Stokes and England will hope they can string together a fully coherent performance and put the Jonny Bairstow wicket debate (and the scoreline) to one side.

    What will be the next chapter in this enthralling series, starting on Thursday?

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    Replacements on tap

    To compound defeat at Lord’s for England fans, then came the sobering news that vice-captain Ollie Pope will miss the rest of this series with a dislocated shoulder.

    However, could that could deliver something of a silver lining?

    As disappointing as injury is for Pope himself, the Surrey right-hander has laboured.

    Failing to pass 50 against the Baggy Greens this summer, Australia are yet to bow.

     

    Step up, Dan Lawrence.

    The Essex batter may average less than 30 in his 11 Test matches so far, but given his big shot will be bent on proving a point.

    For the tourists, despite taking a tighter grip on the urn, the absence of Nathan Lyon due to a calf injury, is undoubtedly the bigger miss.

    Again on-song in English conditions, the off-spinner had hoped to hunt down 500 Test wickets this series.

    Lyon’s uncanny knack of snagging pivotal wickets leaves a big void.

    While Cummins’ side were able to hobble over the line at Lord’s, calling upon the inexperienced Todd Murphy could present issues.

    Murphy is highly-rated but at 22, has played just four Tests. England will be targeting him with an ultra-aggressive approach.

     

    Tactical changes

    Aside from Pope’s enforced absence, Stokes is set to make changes to his bowling attack.

    James Anderson has looked a shadow of himself in this series, taking a measly three wickets across the two Tests.

    With a run of back-to-back Tests, Anderson will be rested ahead a home return at Old Trafford.

    Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson are also set to make way.

    Stuart Broad remains a major thorn in Australia’s side meanwhile, as a healed Moeen Ali and Mark Wood come in.

    Chris Woakes is also in contention for a rare start.

    Having missed the raw pace that Wood provides, Ali’s position as frontline spinner and No.8 batter will give the hosts much-needed balance.

     

    For Australia, changes may be at a premium but coach Andrew McDonald could yet employ rotation of his own.

    Josh Hazlewood appears the the most likely to drop out, with skipper Pat Cummins and a rejuvenated Mitchell Starc holding the fort.

    Scott Boland is a possible recall also, but England would probably rather face him than Hazlewood at Headingley.

     

    Ashes betting

    With England in a must-win position and with needle now injected into the series, it all adds up to whet the appetite.

    Here’s how the Ashes betting looks:

    Australia are now as short as 1/8 to take home the urn, with England out to 12/1 with some bookmakers.

    For the Test alone, it’s 16/10 if you fancy England, with the Aussies 5/4 to go into an unassailable 3-0 lead.

  • Ashes 2023: England 8/5 to bounce back at Lords

    Ashes 2023: England 8/5 to bounce back at Lords

     

    As the 2023 Ashes Series resumes on Wednesday, England will be looking to bounce back at Lords.

    On the back of a damaging defeat to Australia in the First Test at Edgbaston, the hosts must respond at the Home of Cricket.

    In an opening contest that more than delivered on pre-series hype, the World Test champions scrambled home by 2 wickets.

    Pat Cummins‘ side now need just two more wins to not only retain the urn once again but notch a rare series win in England.

    Can Bazball shine in the capital?

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    Tourists edged to extend

    Not only are Ben Stokes‘ side now in adversity, England are also tasked with battling history.

    Wednesday’s sees the 33rd time Lords has hosted a Ashes game.

    Having revelled on the slope, The Baggy Greens dominate with 15 wins to England’s rather meagre three.

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    Given the drama the opening Test supplied, memories of 2005 have come flooding back, and the hosts will look to that for encouragement.

    Victims to another Glen McGrath masterclass 18 years back, England bounced back to level the series and are 8/5 with BetUK to repeat.

    Australia, meanwhile, remain 11/10 with BetVictor. The draw, a lofty 4/1 with 888Sport.

     

    Tongue-tied?

    After the withdrawal of Jack Leach from squad due to injury before the Ashes, seeing Moeen Ali sustain a finger issue at Edgbaston was the last thing the hosts needed.

    As Nathan Lyon took combined figures of 8-229, the spin factor on unseasonably dry wickets may become a decisive factor this summer.

    But with overcast conditions forecast this week and swing and seam set to dominate, can Ashes debutante Josh Tongue make an impact in St. Johns Wood?

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    Selected in favour of Renan Ahmed, the 25-year-old made his international bow against Ireland earlier this month.

    A perhaps surprising inclusion, Tongue’s 5-56 at Lords may have swung the argument, and it appears to have won out.

    After a rather blunted show from James Anderson and Ollie Robinson last time out, could Tongue star?

    The Worcestershire right-arm quickie is 3/1 with William Hill to be Top English bowler.

     

    Khawaja the form horse

    For the Aussies, Usman Khawaja finally proved his ability away from home as the opener grabbed his first ton on English soil.

    Capping two years of consistent form, the Pakistan-born number two with former spells at Derbyshire, Glamorgan and Lancashire shone at Edgbaston.

    Named Man of the Match for a first innings knock of 141, both the ever-obdurate Steve Smith and Travis Head were support acts.

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    Though Khawaja struggled at Lords in 2019 with a best of 36, he is very much the in-form man for the tourists.

    Looking at the markets for Top 1st innings Aussie Run Scorer in London, Khawaja is a decently-valued 9/2, again with ‘Hills.

  • Essex vs Somerset Vitality T20

    Essex vs Somerset Vitality T20

    Essex vs Somerset Vitality T20: Battle
    for the Top in the South- Best Picks

    Essex will host Somerset for match No.10 in the Vitality T20 league tonight. Both teams
    are coming in with nine wins and two losses to face each other at the County Cricket
    Ground in Chelmsford. Somerset is top of the table in the South, courtesy of a healthy
    net rate of +1.648 while Essex is third. However, a win for the home team will put them
    in the driving seat tonight.
    And they need to win it in style as well because their NRR is just on the positive side at
    +0.496. But for people watching, here are the picks, literally handpicked for a brilliant
    outcome. Don’t forget the Ashes are on right now! Check out the latest odds with Best of Bets

    Embed from Getty Images

    1. Tom Banton, Over 23.5- Evens (Unibet)

    Tom Banton seems to have finally found his form after scoring in the 20s and 30s,
    before hitting a half-century against Sussex in his last outing. He scored 53 off 37
    against a brilliant Sussex attack that includes Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Sunil Narine,
    and Sean Abbott.
    Expect the Somerset batsman to continue his decent run against Essex as well and get
    past the ‘over’ mark.

    2. Feroze Khushi, Under 23.5- 8/11 (Unibet)

    Feroze Khushi has had a season of ups and downs so far with the Essex team. Only
    once, the opening batsman has managed to cross the 50+ mark so far in the league. He
    also has a golden duck to his name, along with a single-digit, and a double-digit score.
    Such inconsistent performances can prove to be a little risky to bet on. Somerset is a
    quality side so for Khushi to score over 23.5 runs looks a little too difficult.

    3. Essex to win- 19/20 (Unibet)

    The two teams have already faced each other this season when Somerset hosted
    Essex on June 4. The home team came out victorious after putting 150 runs on the
    board. In reply, the away team was bowled out for 139 with five balls to spare.
    However, Essex will be motivated to make a comeback since they are eyeing the top
    spot. The openers are looking in good touch and the bowling seems to be working out
    well lately. This is not going to be a walk in the park for them as they are the underdogs
    tonight. But expect them to give a surprise to their fans and a shock to the Somerset
    players.

    The game starts at 19:00 hrs local time.

  • Ashes 2023: Middle-order man 11/2 for Top Australian Batter

    Ashes 2023: Middle-order man 11/2 for Top Australian Batter

     

    It’s cricket’s oldest rivalry and arguably the fiercest. The Ashes.

    As the First Test gets underway at Edgbaston on Friday, England look to regain the urn for the first time since 2018.

    Australia, meanwhile, are bent on more Pom bashing away from home as they seek to extend a five-year spell in charge.

    Held earlier than normal to accommodate The Hundred in August, a June start to the Test series will feel a little surreal for many.

    Nevertheless, Ashes fever is again at boiling point for a series that could rival the 2005 edition; a contest many feel is still the best Test series in the modern era.

    Lets take a look at the outright betting for the summer.

     

    Robbo to run riot

    If England are to regain the Ashes, their bowling unit must click.

    As both James Anderson and Stuart Broad play potentially their final series against Australia, England’s trusty old guard will be on hand.

    It could however, be the home Ashes debutant, Ollie Robinson who steals the show.

    Having sampled this contest 16 months ago, the Sussex right-arm medium shone in glimpses in New Zealand earlier this year.

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    Having blown away South Africa last summer, the 29-year-old in ready to shine.

    Taking 10 wickets Down Under last time out – despite injury problems throughout the series – Aussie scalps will be at play.

    For Robinson to be England lead wicket-taker, he is the current favourite but still at a decent treble-your-money 2/1 with BetVictor.

     

    A Head for scoring

    Basking in defeat of India to win the World Test Championship at The Oval this past week, Australia are on a high.

    Boasting one of their strongest sides in England for some time, the tourists’ batting order looks strong.

    In terms of the Top Australian Batter market, thoughts might turn to English cricket’s kryptonite, Steve Smith.

    Having surrendered the captaincy after Sandpaper-gate, Smith has still been part of a side to either win or retain the urn since the 2017-18 series.

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    However, though Smith put on an ominous ton against the Indians, it was Travis Head that stood out from the crowd, scooping Man of the Match.

    Part of the last two victorious Australian squads, Head was leading run scorer in 2021-22.

    Like Smith, Head notched a century during the first innings in the WTC final, putting on 163.

    Head has the feel of a player who will rise to the occasion in the Ashes and at 11/2 with BoyleSports to be top Aussie with the bat, Travis could turn heads.

    His chances of Player of the Series are equally well-placed based on form alone at around 12/1 (check your bookmaker for latest odds).

     

    Scottie too Hotty?

    Australia’s bowling attack looks in no less fine fettle.

    Indeed, it may well be the most versatile bowling pool since the early 2000s of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and the sadly missed Shane Warne.

    Spearheaded by the impressive skip Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood‘s fitness concerns however, could become an issue.

    Cue Scott Boland.

    Embed from Getty Images

     

    The man who made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test the previous Ashes series, Boland went on to take seven wickets including 6/7 in the second innings.

    Snagging a further 18 wickets in the following three Tests, Boland clearly loves playing the enemy.

    Notching five wickets against India, the English conditions will suit the Victorian down to the ground – especially if the ground stays firm.

    Looking one of the first names on Andrew McDonald’s teamsheet, at 4/1 to be the Aussies’ star bowler – again with BetVictor – Boland might be shrewd betting.

  • Cricket England v New Zealand 3rd Test Preview

    Cricket England v New Zealand 3rd Test Preview

    Some you lose.

    As you’ll know from my series preview, I certainly didn’t have England pegged for being 2-0 up and already series winners coming into this third and final Test at Headingley but hats off the new coach Brendon ‘Baz’ McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes, who have given the game in this country a much-needed lift in this format.

    New Zealand, world Test champions as they are, will stick in there and will certainly not want to be whitewashed in Yorkshire.

    However, they’re coming up against two Yorkies on their own patch in Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow and neither could be in better form. Bairstow’s powerhouse display in the Second Test had to be seen to be believed and, apart from being the catalyst for a memorable England success, it reminded us just how entertaining Test cricket can be and why it is still the best format of the lot.

    The hosts go into the match as 11/10 favourites with most firms and that now looks value, with their opponents at a low ebb.

    The forecast for the next week looks a bit unsettled, so that may bring the draw into play, for which Matchbook’s 2/1 looks tempting, particularly as these days the Headingley pitches are very good, so a short game does not look likely to be on the cards. Any interruptions for the weather will bring that draw more closely into focus.

    Joe Root is in truly magnificent form again with the bat and he knows better than anyone how to play on this pitch. If you can get the 8/1 available about him being the Player of the Match, then that looks a value proposition, especially when you consider that several firms are taking no chances and pricing him up at 5/1.

    Jimmy Anderson has taken 43 wickets in 11 previous Tests at this venue, a fabulous record for one of the great bowlers. There is talk of him sitting out this match to rest up for the forthcoming South Africa series. You can still back him at 9/1 to be Player of the Match for England here but shop around and ensure you will receive a refund if he doesn’t make the starting XI.

    Whether they win the toss or not, I’m taking a rampant England to rack up a first innings lead at 8/11, with Joe Root at 15/8 to top score with bet365, which also looks worth a play.

    I also like bet365’s 4/5 about a hundred being scored in the first innings. Realistically, we have about a dozen players playing for us across both sides to be able to tick that box and, as I said earlier, the Headingley pitch plays so well these days that once someone gets ‘in’ they are hard to get out.

    So it’s England to make it a series whitewash for me and I’m sure we can share their feel good factor with some profits from these wagers.

  • BestofBets England v New Zealand Test series preview

    BestofBets England v New Zealand Test series preview

    England v New Zealand – Thursday 2nd June to Monday 6th June, Lord’s. Daily start time 11am.

    It’s here! Test cricket is back in England and what a great way to start the summer, with world Test champions New Zealand over for three matches. What a series it promises to be and with the added twists that both new England head coach Brendon McCullum and new captain Ben Stokes are Kiwis themselves!

    McCullum, a New Zealand all-time great and Stokes, one of England’s in terms of his playing career, will have an added incentive to get one over on their fellow countrymen, which makes this less of a ‘done deal’ than it might first look.

    England, smarting from a poor recent Test record, a hammering in Australia during the winter and a disappointing defeat in the West Indies earlier in the spring to compound that, want to ‘get back on the horse’.

    They’ll have a real challenge on their hands, however, against a team where everyone knows their role and one that is still on a high from beating India in England, in last year’s inaugural Test championship decider.

    It promises to be absolutely fascinating. England have the red hot Harry Brook, who has already scored over 1,000 runs in both red and white ball cricket this season, an outstanding feat before the end of May.

    However, rumours are that he is unlikely to be found a place in the team, which seems folly on the part of the host nation, who desperately need that sort of quality if they are to halt their recent slide.

    Let’s hope the hosts don’t live to regret that but it hardly smacks of a new era of excitement, when a man who has been despatching the ball to all parts of the county cricket circuit can’t be found a place in the team. He’ll surely never be in better form to give him a go.

    England are a best-priced 7/5 to win the series with SBK and Smarkets, who are both best-priced about a New Zealand series win too, at 28/13. Betfair’s 11/5 about the Black Caps looks another tasty price. The draw is a best-priced 29/10 with BetVictor.

    For me, the draw could be the way to go as far as a series result is confirmed. England are notoriously slow starters and if you’re thinking of a bet on the first Test at Lord’s, then I reckon New Zealand are the more likely winners.

    However, with some very good pitches being prepared in England in county cricket so far this season, there is plenty of scope for at least one drawn Test. So I’m with one win for each team, plus a draw, to leave the series all-square.

    As for the opening Test, curiously, New Zealand are 2/1 to win and this looks a cracking price to me, so I’d get on with bet365.

    Joe Root is a best-priced 8/1 to be Player of the Match. He has every incentive to remind everyone of his class, having vacated the captaincy hot seat. However, if his team are to finish on the losing side, as I am suggesting, he is unlikely to pick up that award.

    For the Black Caps to win, one of the top three is likely to score heavily and there is no one better at that than Kane Williamson, who was once teammates with Root for Yorkshire and has vast experience of English conditions.

    He looks a play at 10/1 for POM with Sky Bet and I’d also have a wager on the excellent left arm seam of Neil Wagner, who is 12/1. I think both will play a big part if their team is to succeed.

  • BestofBets IPL Final Preview

    Gujarat Titans v Rajasthan Royals 

    Sunday, May 29, 2022 at Ahmedabad.

    It’s here! The final of this fabulous competition in 2022 promises to be the best game of the lot and, buoyed by recommending the winners (Evens), top batter (9/4) and player of the match winner (11/2) in Friday’s qualifying play-off, we’re going to try make some more profitable predictions!

    The Titans have been the best team in the tournament. Rajasthan have been the second-best team in the tournament. Therefore, I believe this is the right final, showcasing how consistency is key in this format, just like in any other.

    Gujarat, ably led by Hardik Pandya, have surprised many with just how good they have been. They won 10 of their 14 group games.

    They can also tackle the decider safe in the knowledge that they are 2-2 against Sunday’s opponents in the competition this season.

    First up, they enjoyed a comfortable 37-run win when the teams met on April 14. 87 in 52 balls by Pandya was the root cause of that success but do not underestimate the contributions of Abhinav Manohar’s 43 in 28 deliveries, or a quickfire 31 not out in 14 by David Miller.

    The teams met again in the first qualifying play-off last Tuesday, with the Titans heading ‘route one’ to the final, after a seven wicket win with three balls to spare.

    Again, Miller was seen to good effect with 68 not out off 38 balls, Panyda scoring 40 not out off 27, in an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 106, to wrap up victory.

    Buttler had preceded that with yet another outstanding knock of 89 off 56 for Rajasthan and he goes into the final brimming with confidence after a fourth century of the campaign in Friday night’s defeat of Royal Challengers Bangalore, that saw his team through.

    The Royals will again look to the Buttler to produce another great knock for them. If he fails, then his team could be in trouble but he is so consistent that it is hard to sensibly look elsewhere for Rajasthan’s top batter. He is favourite because he is so good and it is recommended that you take the 7/2 with Sky Bet, which is the best price on offer.

    I’ve mentioned Rashid Khan several times in these previews and, although he didn’t take a wicket in Tuesday’s win, he kept RR to just 15 runs from his four overs. That is a sensational effort and he looks a bet to be his team’s top bowler at 11/4 with Coral, Betfair, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power.

    He’s also 11/1 with Betway to be the Player of the Match and this is worth a small stakes play, as he is capable of picking up two or three wickets as well. If Rajasthan prove good enough then Buttler would be a likely candidate for this award again. He is generally available at 6/1 and I’d definitely not put you off that. 

    However, I think that, while he is my pick for his team’s top scorer, he will end up on the losing side. Take the 10/11 about Gujarat Titans seeing this through and becoming champions at the first attempt. 

    The other bet that interests me is to take a second player of the match punt and put Hardik Pandya on your betting slip. He is capable of making significant contributions with both bat and ball and 11/1 about him with Betway also looks a bit of value.

    It’s been great fun previewing these games for you and we made some good profit. Wishing you an enjoyable and profitable final!

  • BestofBets – A guide to the T20 Blast

    After six weeks of county championship (red ball) cricket, it’s time for the counties to turn their attentions from four days to four hours of cricket to get a result.

    It’s white ball time, the skillsets are quite different, some of the players are different but one thing that will be no different is the level of excitement involved.

    The stars

    The T20 Blast involves some of the world’s greatest exponents of white ball cricket. These include: 

    Kieron Pollard (Surrey) – The West Indian all-rounder who has made a record 592 appearances in T20 competitions worldwide.

    Sunil Narine (Surrey) – Another West Indian superstar. The ‘mystery spinner’ has 438 wickets in 405 games.

    Chris Lynn (Northants) – Powerhouse opening batter, who hits the ball a long way and very often. The Australian has a staggering record of 341 sixes in just 220 short-form games.

    Tim David (Lancashire) – A quickfire batter whose scoring strike-rates in T20 cricket is an incredible 163.07.

    Rashid Khan (Sussex) – Almost single-handedly knocked out Yorkshire at Durham in last year’s quarter-final. The Afghanistan spinner is a world star who underlined that with a Player of the Match award in the IPL play-offs and already has more than 450 wickets in T20 cricket, aged just 23.

    Carlos Brathwaite (Warwickshire) – “Remember the name”… you may recall Ian Bishop’s famous commentary when Brathwaite hammered Ben Stokes for four successive sixes to win the 2016 T20 World Cup final against England. Say no more. This man is box office. 

    Dwayne Bravo (Worcestershire) – Massively experienced former West Indies all-rounder, who leads the way as a wicket-taker in T20 cricket with a sensational 587.

    In addition to these players, who are available throughout the tournament, some other major stars of T20 cricket are available for part of the Blast. These include former England Test captain Joe Root (Yorkshire), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), who has been wowing audiences in the Indian Premier League. Others include Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan.

    The teams

    The teams are the same 18 counties who play in the county championship and RL50 competitions. The only changes are the Warwickshire play as the Birmingham Bears in white ball cricket, which includes the T20 Blast.

    Also, many counties adopt a ‘nickname’ for the Blast, e.g. the current champions are the Kent Spitfires.

    The groups

    North Group (2021 finishing position shown in brackets)

    Derbyshire Falcons (8th in group)

    Durham (7th in group)

    Lancashire Lightning (quarter-finals)

    Leicestershire Foxes (6th in group)

    Northamptonshire Steelbacks (9th in group)

    Notts Outlaws (quarter-finals)

    Birmingham Bears (quarter-finals)

    Worcestershire Rapids (5th in group)

    Yorkshire Vikings (quarter-finals)

    South Group (2021 finishing position shown in brackets)

    Essex Eagles (7th in group)

    Glamorgan (9th in group)

    Gloucestershire (6th in group)

    Hampshire Hawks (semi-final)

    Kent Spitfires (winners)

    Middlesex (8th in group)

    Somerset (runners-up)

    Surrey (5th in group)

    Sussex Sharks (semi-final)

    Who will win it?

    Last year’s winners Kent Spitfires are, unusually, quite cold in the market for a repeat success. They’re 10/1 chances with bet365.

    Nottinghamshire are general favourites for the competition and are usually a safe bet to win a good percentage of their games. They have been regulars at finals day over the years and have once again assembled a hugely competitive squad. They’re as short as 6/1 with William Hill but if you fancy them then Betfair’s 37/5 is more tasty.

    It’s no surprise that Surrey, who probably have the strongest all-round red and white ball squads on paper for 2022, are up there towards the head of the market. They are generally priced at 8/1, while Lancashire and Somerset are a best-priced 9s with Coral.

    Hampshire can’t be ruled out and look like representing some value at a best-priced 14/1 with Betfred.

    Like last year, the Southern Group looks stronger across the board but, despite never having won it before, Yorkshire look a very strong team this time. They’ve had a well documented change of coaching staff during the winter.

    With Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jordan Thompson, Adil Rashid, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Dawid Malan, Finn Allen, Dom Bess and Tom Kohler-Cadmore able to play some or all of the tournament, they have tremendous firepower. Therefore, it looks worth taking the 12/1 on offer with several firms and I’d be backing them each-way, to half the odds to make the final. It could be their year…

    It should be a great competition again and whoever you wager with, I wish you well.