Cricket Betting - June 2023
As we move into 2023, cricket once again takes center stage in the world of sports betting. Despite being the second most popular sport in terms of participation across the globe, cricket is still a mystery to some, with its multitude of formats and statistical complexities. However, for the astute punter, these nuances present opportunities to win big. The cricketing calendar continues to expand, with matches and tournaments taking place in all corners of the world throughout the year.
Whether it's Test matches, One Day Internationals, or the ever-popular Twenty20 format, there are endless opportunities to place wagers on the outcome of matches or individual player performances. And with the growing popularity of women's cricket, there are even more options for those looking to bet on the sport. Despite its origins in British colonialism, cricket has become a truly global sport, with diverse teams and fan bases from Asia to Australia and everywhere in between.
For sports betting enthusiasts, this means a wealth of options and a never-ending supply of events to bet on. So as we gear up for another year of cricket, keep an eye out for opportunities to place a winning bet and join the millions of fans around the world who have made cricket one of the most vibrant and exciting sports on earth.
Men's Test Cricket betting
Men's Test Cricket betting is one of the most popular forms of sports betting in the world. Test cricket is the oldest and most traditional format of the game, with matches lasting up to five days and played between two international teams. Betting on Test cricket offers punters a wide range of opportunities to place wagers on different markets, from predicting the match winner or the top team run scorer to speculating on the method of the next dismissal or the number of runs scored in an innings.
With matches taking place all around the world, there are endless opportunities to bet on the sport. One of the most popular markets for Test cricket betting is the outright winner market for individual matches or series. Punters can place wagers on the winner of a specific match or on the team that will win a series of matches. This market offers high odds and the potential for significant payouts for those who accurately predict the outcome. Another popular market is the top run scorer market, where punters can place bets on which player will score the most runs in a particular match or series. This market can be especially lucrative for those who are familiar with individual players and their past performances.
Overall, Test cricket betting offers a diverse range of markets and opportunities for punters to place winning wagers. With the popularity of the sport continuing to grow, there has never been a better time to get involved in Test cricket betting and potentially strike it lucky with a winning bet.
Batting
Under Chris Silverwood's reign as head coach, the England cricket team's batting line-up was plagued with negativity and inconsistency. Openers were frequently changed, middle-order players were shuffled around, and there was a lack of exposure to high-quality Test matches. This approach proved too much for players such as Dominic Sibley, Haseeb Hameed, and Rory Burns. However, going into 2023, England's batting line-up looks far more settled, with a host of players contributing on the biggest stage. Openers Alex Lees and Zak Crawley have been given more freedom to score quickly at the top of the order, playing styles that suit their games, and the early signs for the pair are positive.
The introduction of Ollie Pope at number three has been perhaps the biggest move so far in the order. The Surrey batsman has been clearly empowered by his move up the order, and his talent seems to have no bounds. Meanwhile, Joe Root continues to underline his credentials as one of the best batters in the world, with two centuries already to his name in the English summer of 2023. Jonny Bairstow looks set to carry the load at number 5, and the explosive Yorkshireman will be looking to transfer his impressive limited-overs record to the Test arena. Captain Ben Stokes remains the linchpin of the team, batting at number 6, and he continues to produce the goods when the team needs him most.
After some shuffling around with the gloves in recent seasons, Ben Foakes looks to have made the wicket-keeper batsmen spot his own in 2023, and the Surrey man is a highly consistent performer. While it is still early days in the Stokes/McCullum era, England's Test match batting line-up finally looks to have a mix of balance, ability, and confidence - something that couldn't be said for the team in the past couple of years.
Bowling
Cricket is a sport loved by many around the world, particularly in the sub-continent, and as a result, cricket free bets are incredibly popular within the online gambling world. These free bets can be used to wager on any format of the game, including Test matches, One Day Internationals, and Twenty20 matches. Punters have the option to use their cricket free bets on a variety of different markets, such as the match winner, top team run scorer, method of the next dismissal, and the number of runs scored in an innings. Bookmakers offer a range of cricket free bets and new account offers, with many top brands available, including Coral, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes, William Hill, Unibet, BetVictor, Bet365, and Betfair. Each bookmaker has its specific terms and conditions, so it's important to check the details before taking up any offers. In 2022, England's Test Match cricket had a rocky start, with poor performances on the pitch leading to captain Joe Root being relieved of his duties.
However, the appointment of Ben Stokes as captain, Brendon McCullum as coach, and Rob Key as the new Director of Cricket seems to have paid off. England has picked up two incredible wins against New Zealand in the burgeoning English summer, giving fans genuine cause for optimism. England's Test Match batting lineup appears more settled than in previous years, with openers Alex Lees and Zak Crawley given increased license to score quickly at the top of the order. Ollie Pope's introduction at number three has been a significant move, with the Surrey batsman proving his talent has no bounds.
Joe Root continues to underline his credentials as one of the best batters in the world, and captain Ben Stokes is the linchpin of the team. England's bowling department has generally remained consistent, with the exception of the previous regime's decision to drop England's two greatest ever fast bowlers, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad. The selectors have looked to the men in form in the County Championship to fill the void left by injuries to Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, and Jofra Archer, with Durham seamer Matty Potts slotting into Test Match cricket beautifully. The only missing piece of the jigsaw currently for England is a front-line spinner.
Which markets can I use my Cricket Free Bet on?
Over the past decade, the number of markets available for using cricket free bets has expanded considerably. In the past, punters were limited to betting on the match winner or the number of runs scored in an innings. However, there are now a plethora of different markets on which to use cricket free bets, including:
- Top team run scorer
- Top team wicket taker
- Number of extras in an innings
- Batsmen match bets
- Number of runs within an over
- Method of dismissal
- Highest opening partnership
- Century scored
- Total 4s and total 6s
These are just a few examples of the many markets offered by most bookmakers for both international and domestic cricket matches. As the sport continues to grow and evolve, so too do the opportunities for cricket fans to place winning wagers using their free bets.
How do I use my Cricket Free Bets?
To claim your cricket free bet in 2023, punters must carefully follow the specific instructions outlined in the terms and conditions of each individual bookmaker. Typically, bettors will be required to register for an account and make an initial deposit and bet before their free bet token is credited. However, there are some online offers that will credit accounts with a free bet as soon as the player registers. Using your cricket free bet is straightforward. Simply navigate to the cricket betting market of your choice, select your preferred odds, and then choose your bet. On the betting slip, tick the free bet option and submit your bet.
It's important to note that free bets may have restrictions on which markets or events they can be used for, so be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully. Then, all that's left to do is wait for the match to begin and hope that your bet is a winner. With the diverse array of cricket formats and events taking place across the world in 2023, there will be no shortage of opportunities to use your free bets and potentially strike it lucky with a winning wager.
Cricket Events to Bet On
Cricket offers a wide range of events for betting enthusiasts, with numerous tournaments taking place throughout the year across various formats. From traditional test matches to fast-paced limited-overs competitions, cricket provides an abundance of opportunities for placing bets and enjoying the excitement of the game.
- ICC Cricket World Cup: Held every four years, this prestigious 50-over event features the top international teams competing for the title of world champions. The tournament provides ample betting prospects on match outcomes, individual player performances, and overall tournament winners.
- ICC T20 World Cup: This global event is held every two years and brings together the best international teams in the 20-over format. The fast-paced nature of T20 cricket offers a plethora of in-game betting opportunities, from predicting match results to wagering on specific player achievements.
- Indian Premier League (IPL): The IPL is an annual T20 domestic competition that attracts the world's top cricketing talent. With a massive fan following and high-stakes matches, the IPL presents numerous betting options, including match outcomes, highest run-scorers, and leading wicket-takers.
- The Ashes: One of the oldest and most renowned test match series, The Ashes is played between England and Australia. This traditional cricket rivalry provides an extensive range of betting opportunities, from series results and individual match outcomes to player milestones and performance predictions.
- Domestic Tournaments: Competitions like the Vitality T20 Blast and the Royal London One-Day Cup in the UK offer an exciting platform for placing bets on local teams and up-and-coming talent. These events provide a variety of betting options across different match formats.
Cricket betting caters to a diverse range of interests and preferences, with events taking place throughout the year and across various formats. Whether you prefer the endurance of test matches or the thrill of limited-overs games, there's a cricket event for every betting enthusiast.
Ashes Cricket
One of the oldest and most historic rivalries in cricket is the Ashes, which has been contested between England and Australia since 1882. For cricketers and fans of either nation, winning the Ashes is considered the ultimate achievement in their sport. The name "Ashes" comes from a mock obituary written by Reginald Brooks in The Sporting Times after Australia's first victory over England, in which he wrote that "English cricket" had died and that its ashes would be taken to Australia.
Test Cricket
Test cricket is one of the earliest forms of the sport, with the inaugural recorded match taking place between none other than England and Australia in 1877. The term "test" stems from the game's enduring nature, typically lasting 4-5 days, which challenges the stamina and skill of the competing teams. While initially associated primarily with international contests, test matches have expanded to the domestic arena, with the UK's County Championship being held during the summer months. At present, the ICC Test Championship features 10 distinguished international teams:
- Australia
- India
- Pakistan
- England
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- West Indies
- Bangladesh
- Zimbabwe
League Cricket
Cricket in the UK is predominantly a summer affair, and even then, numerous matches can be disrupted by the unpredictable British weather. The games feature 18 historic county teams competing against each other. The County Championship, UK's premier domestic first-class competition, has these 18 teams battling across two divisions using the international test format, meaning matches can span several days. This duration offers ample in-game betting opportunities that can be both enjoyable and lucrative.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has rapidly become one of the most viewed sports leagues globally, drawing massive crowds and significant investments, which in turn attract the biggest names in cricket. Renowned players like Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Lasith Malinga, and Jacques Kallis have showcased their skills in the IPL, drawing numerous cricket enthusiasts and betting opportunities alike.
Limited Overs Cricket
Several cricket tournaments adopt shorter formats to promote a more aggressive and thrilling style of play. These competitions typically consist of 20 or 50 overs, with matches completed within a single day. Both domestic and international cricket embrace these fast-paced formats, featuring events such as:
- Vitality T20 Blast
- Royal London One-Day Cup
- ICC T20 World Cup
- ICC Cricket World Cup
These exciting, condensed matches offer fans an alternative to the traditional multi-day test matches, showcasing dynamic gameplay and captivating encounters.
