Three tips for the IPL

The Indian Premier League is back for the fifth time and for the purposes of this article let us assume that the tournament is not as bent as a spoon in the presence of Uri Geller. Whilst the authorities will be looking out for suspicious no balls, here’s what you should be looking out for on the betting front. In the outright tournament betting it’s initially hard not to look at the favourites, Chennai Super Kings. Winners in 2010 and 2011 they are a best price of 7/2 with Ladbrokes. However, we like a bit of value and think that in backing Kolkata Knight Riders at 15/2 with bet365 you may just get it. They were the surprise package of... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012
(Posted in: Articles, Betting, Cricket, Oggsblog)

Sri Lanka vs England 2012

Cue ‘Turn up the Heat’ jokes.   Apparently, it is quite warm in the sub-continent around this time of year. Hardly a revelation that will jolt you from your seat, yet the British press seem keen to get their team’s excuses in early. Fearing a repeat of the disaster that was the Pakistan tour, England’s players have been taking lessons in dealing with heat (drinking lots of water is apparently recommended), as all that standing around can’t be easy. On to the action, and the burning question (no pun intended) is whether England’s four man attack will be able to cope. To do so, Swann is the key man in the series. If he cannot hold up an end, the quicks... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Monday, March 26th, 2012
(Posted in: Articles, Betting, Cricket, Oggsblog)

Pakistan vs England Twenty20 Series

Pakistan in eccentric, inconsistency shock.  Crazy old Pakistan hey. If we didn’t know better, conspiracy theorists might think that they deliberately bashed up England in the test matches, in order to lengthen England’s price with bookmakers ahead of the ODIs, before feebly capitulating in said ODIs so as to cash in. And breathe. Of course, we do know better. This is the new Pakistan. No fixing, no drugs, no murdering coaches. Just like the previous new Pakistan aka the old Pakistan. And the  new Pakistan before that. You get the idea. Onwards now to Twenty20 cricket, and three fixtures, the first two of which take place in Dubai, with the final one scheduled for Abu Dhabi. This will be the eighth... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
(Posted in: Articles, Cricket, Oggsblog)

Commonwealth Bank Series 2012

One Day cricket turns over a new leaf.  Following another tedious World Cup in 2011, in a year which had seen some fabulous tests, many considered One Day cricket if not dead, certainly in the old folks home. Yet just a few months later, the situation has reversed. India’s tests have been awfully one-sided of late, and the less said about England in Pakistan the better. Meanwhile, a spate of thrilling ODIs have taken place, most recently in Australia, where we’re in the midst of a terrific Commonwealth Bank Series, in which Australia, Sri Lanka and India are competing. Tuesday saw an outrageously entertaining game between India and Sri Lanka end in a tie after both teams posted 236. Friday... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
(Posted in: Articles, Cricket, Oggsblog)

Pakistan vs England 3rd Test Series – What could possibly go wrong…

Given how spectacularly disastrously the last two series ended (Pakistan refusing to come back out at the Oval and Pakistan bowling dot balls to demand in 2010), it is little surprise that lips are being licked all round for England’s upcoming three-test series against Pakistan. Trips over there often prove just as dramatic (ask Mike Gatting), but unfortunately due to security reasons, this series will be played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Here are three rules worth adhering to, when punting Pakistan-England. 1)      Ignore current international trends of low-scoring, quick test matches: The Middle East produces completely different conditions and wickets to the grounds on which England made short work of Australia and India. There have only ever been two tests... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 12th, 2012
(Posted in: Articles, Cricket, Oggsblog)

England vs India 3rd Test

Panic on the Streets of London, Panic on the Streets of Birmingham. So sang the Smiths all those years ago. And whilst there is undoubtedly panic on the streets of London right now, if the Edgbaston wicket proves as lively as we have come to expect, there could be some serious panic on the grass of Birmingham too. A complete inability to deal with the short ball or Jimmy Anderson’s swing, has resulted in the Indians finding themselves two down with two matches to play. It’s now or never for them – another England win will see them displaced as world number one. The weather forecast suggests overcast conditions, and if England finally win a toss, early wickets could tumble.... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 9th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Cricket, Oggsblog)

We don’t like Cricket – we love it

Time for the big sporting event of the summer. Andy Murray’s annual Wimbledon surrender. David Haye opting to box Valdimir Klitschko from below the waist. Even the England Women’s football team long-balling their way to penalty defeat. It’s been a highly unsatisfactory sporting summer for GB’s leading athletes. The good news however, is that the biggest sporting event of the silly season is still to come and begins this week. The two best test teams in the world will eye each other up over four matches, and if England win by two clear tests, they will leapfrog the visitors India to become the kings of the world. (As a side note, we firmly believe India will have the better of... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Cricket, Oggsblog)

Second Test – England vs Sri Lanka

Tourists pull trousers up just in time to have them pulled down again Had it not been for Swansea City making their own bit of Welsh history, far more attention may have been paid to a wonderful Monday evening session at Cardiff, where England gobbled up wickets like they were Pringles, to thrash the Sri Lankans. England have now won five of their last seven tests by an innings, a wonderful testament to their formidable batting line-up and the extraordinary Jonathan Trott in particular. Although we’re all still recovering from that leather on willow extravaganza, the ECB are on-hand to shove some more cricket down our throats, in the form of the second test at Lords. Sri Lanka have never... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 2nd, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, Cricket, Oggsblog)