I thought England's 435 all out was an unbelievable score in the circumstances. The tail wagged as well as I have ever seen a tail wag before. Swann, Anderson and Broad all chipped in with boundaries galore to post a decent total. The English spirit of 2005 was back and n my eyes, the Aussies were certainties to lose an early wicket in response...
I sold Hughes' runs at 50 in-running for £5 and was thrilled to see him nick a Freddie Flintoff special through to Prior for 36. A cheeky £70 profit and I was off to the perfect start. I was confident and more importantly, so were England. In fact, there was a real chance that the Three Lions could actually take more wickets and go on to win the match.
I soon sold Katich for £3 in-running at 82 and sold Australia runs for £4 at what looked a massive 525. Sadly, it soon became clear that the only person heading to Lord's 1-0 down was going to be me! I had taken one giant step into that 'corridor of uncertainty' and I had to decide quickly whether I was going to head back.
As the ball began to rattle its way to all four corners of Cardiff, I decided to take my hit shortly before 6pm and buy Katich back at 132 (a £150 loss) and also opted to buy £8 of Australia runs at 575 to take another £200 loss and go the other way for £4. Both batsmen were closing in fast on their centuries and with the score at 249/1 at stumps, I had done the right thing. Sometimes it's right to take the hit if you've blatantly got something wrong. My misjudgment had cost me £350, but if Australia batted on past 575, I had a chance of getting something back.
Anyway, if Strauss continued to captain the side like Bungle from Rainbow (look him up if you don't know who he is), there was more than just a good chance that Australia could post 700! What was he doing gifting both Ponting and Katich hundreds and not applying more pressure and why did he take the new ball and then put the spinners on again ten overs later... a certain Geoffrey would have never done that!
Friday 10th July
I found myself in the very strange position of driving to Newmarket and cheering on every Aussie boundary. The scoreboard raced onto 299 and then Katich was trapped LBW by Anderson for 122. Spread betting does funny thing to you. While all English cricket fans were celebrating, I was sat quietly irritated. Not only had the dismissal cost me £30 (I had closed Katich at 132), it also meant that my buy of Australian total runs at a ridiculously high level was also looking dodgy to say the least!
The next 30 minutes were horrendous and by the time I had parked the car (told you it does funny things to you), both Hussey and Ponting had joined Katich back in the pavilion. They were 331/4, their runs quote had collapsed and I didn't know what to do. I had taken too many hits already and my proverbial gum shield was hanging out of my mouth. I didn't panic and decided not to watch or listen to another ball until getting back in the car.
To cap it all, I'd also backed Scenic Blast ante-post in the July Cup and was upset when the Aussie sprint sensation trailed in a distant sixth. I had spent the afternoon throwing money at all things Australian and it was costing me a fortune. It hadn't been a G'Day (sorry had to do it)!
Saturday 11th July
The weather forecasters had said all week that we'd be lucky to see a ball bowled in Cardiff on Saturday - they were wrong. Two full sessions and thank god, a sack full of Aussie runs. They batted brilliantly all day and when Haddin was eventually caught for 121 (with his partner North not out on 125), the total had reached an impressive 674. The declaration followed disappointingly (I must be the only man in England who wishes they were still batting now!) and I had made 99 x £4.
After all the stress and strain, I had won back £396 to cover the £350 loss and add to the early £70 profit. England lost two early wickets which was great news for my £5 sell of Cook's series runs at 355. His contribution in the first test was just 16 from his two knocks and things were looking rosier.
Sunday 12th July
Watched Pietersen leave one he'd have never have left if the world and his wife hadn't been on his back for playing 'that shot' in the first innings. Strauss and Prior then followed him quickly back to the pavilion and at 70 for 5 before lunch, they were heading for certain defeat.
Collingwood stood firm throughout the day and then Anderson and Panesar somehow managed to pull off an incredible draw. I didn't have a bet, but was firmly back supporting England. It was a huge result and was made even more enjoyable by Ponting's sour grapes at the press conference. I also think that Collingwood is beginning to turn into Alan Shearer... close your eyes the next time he is interviewed.
By the way, I found out some interesting cricketing trivia today too. Did you know that James Anderson now holds the Test cricket record for the batsman with the most consecutive innings' without a duck. It currently stands at over 50! Lara, Bradman, Tendulkar... none of them managed to do it!
Also, Michael Vaughan, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting have over 80 test match centuries between them, but none of them went on to make a double century. That's an extraordinary statistic when you think that Jason Gillespie only made one test century in his career and he coverted that into a 'double-ton'!
Monday 13th July A rubbish day of sport to start an unbelievable sporting week that includes not only the Open Golf Championship, but the second test from Lord's.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Third Test
Those who have claimed that Test cricket is becoming boring are being forced to eat their words as the battle for the Ashes becomes ever more gripping. Relations between the teams have appeared tense since the opener in Cardiff and as spread bettors prepare for the series' third installment, Andrew Strauss and Ricky Ponting know there is plenty riding on the Edgbaston Test.
Buyers of England's series win spread will have noted that the Aussies have had mixed results at Edgbaston in recent years. In 1997 Australia suffered a huge collapse against England and managed to lose in just over three days, whilst in 1999 the Aussies drew a memorable one-day World Cup match here with the South Africans. Regular cricket spread punters are sure to remember that Edgbaston was also the venue for the epic battle in 2005 where England triumphed by just two runs in the closest Ashes match ever. Both buyers and sellers of England's match win index spread might like to consider that England have won 22 of their 43 tests at Edgbaston, although only spread buyers will be pleased with the host's record against Australia here of P12, W5, L3 and D4.
England have managed to notch some fairly impressive totals at the Warwickshire venue including a 566-9 declared against West Indies in 2004. Cricket bettors will be interested to know that the highest total ever reached by an English side at Edgbaston was 633/5 declared, and although that was back in 1979 it will not stop buyers of England's team ton-ups spread hoping that the top-order is able to stamp their authority over the Aussies and get somewhere close to this record.
Despite a certain success in the West Midlands, buyers of Australia's win index spread may take more from analysis of England's performances in the middle Ashes Test - Strauss's team has a poor record in third Tests of a home Ashes series. At the last such match, at Old Trafford in 2005, England managed a draw but in the previous two third Tests, in 2001 (Trent Bridge) and 1997 (Old Trafford again), England were comfortably beaten by seven wickets and 268 runs respectively. Buyers of Australia's first innings supremacy should note however that the baggy greens have averaged just 242 first innings runs in their last three third-Tests on British soil and punters looking to sell the supremacy spread will take encouragement from England's equivalent average of 263, or an average supremacy of 21, over the same period.
Buyers of England's series win spread will have noted that the Aussies have had mixed results at Edgbaston in recent years. In 1997 Australia suffered a huge collapse against England and managed to lose in just over three days, whilst in 1999 the Aussies drew a memorable one-day World Cup match here with the South Africans. Regular cricket spread punters are sure to remember that Edgbaston was also the venue for the epic battle in 2005 where England triumphed by just two runs in the closest Ashes match ever. Both buyers and sellers of England's match win index spread might like to consider that England have won 22 of their 43 tests at Edgbaston, although only spread buyers will be pleased with the host's record against Australia here of P12, W5, L3 and D4.
England have managed to notch some fairly impressive totals at the Warwickshire venue including a 566-9 declared against West Indies in 2004. Cricket bettors will be interested to know that the highest total ever reached by an English side at Edgbaston was 633/5 declared, and although that was back in 1979 it will not stop buyers of England's team ton-ups spread hoping that the top-order is able to stamp their authority over the Aussies and get somewhere close to this record.
Despite a certain success in the West Midlands, buyers of Australia's win index spread may take more from analysis of England's performances in the middle Ashes Test - Strauss's team has a poor record in third Tests of a home Ashes series. At the last such match, at Old Trafford in 2005, England managed a draw but in the previous two third Tests, in 2001 (Trent Bridge) and 1997 (Old Trafford again), England were comfortably beaten by seven wickets and 268 runs respectively. Buyers of Australia's first innings supremacy should note however that the baggy greens have averaged just 242 first innings runs in their last three third-Tests on British soil and punters looking to sell the supremacy spread will take encouragement from England's equivalent average of 263, or an average supremacy of 21, over the same period.
Third Test
Those who have claimed that Test cricket is becoming boring are being forced to eat their words as the battle for the Ashes becomes ever more gripping. Relations between the teams have appeared tense since the opener in Cardiff and as spread bettors prepare for the series' third installment, Andrew Strauss and Ricky Ponting know there is plenty riding on the Edgbaston Test.
Buyers of England's series win spread will have noted that the Aussies have had mixed results at Edgbaston in recent years. In 1997 Australia suffered a huge collapse against England and managed to lose in just over three days, whilst in 1999 the Aussies drew a memorable one-day World Cup match here with the South Africans. Regular cricket spread punters are sure to remember that Edgbaston was also the venue for the epic battle in 2005 where England triumphed by just two runs in the closest Ashes match ever. Both buyers and sellers of England's match win index spread might like to consider that England have won 22 of their 43 tests at Edgbaston, although only spread buyers will be pleased with the host's record against Australia here of P12, W5, L3 and D4.
England have managed to notch some fairly impressive totals at the Warwickshire venue including a 566-9 declared against West Indies in 2004. Cricket bettors will be interested to know that the highest total ever reached by an English side at Edgbaston was 633/5 declared, and although that was back in 1979 it will not stop buyers of England's team ton-ups spread hoping that the top-order is able to stamp their authority over the Aussies and get somewhere close to this record.
Despite a certain success in the West Midlands, buyers of Australia's win index spread may take more from analysis of England's performances in the middle Ashes Test - Strauss's team has a poor record in third Tests of a home Ashes series. At the last such match, at Old Trafford in 2005, England managed a draw but in the previous two third Tests, in 2001 (Trent Bridge) and 1997 (Old Trafford again), England were comfortably beaten by seven wickets and 268 runs respectively. Buyers of Australia's first innings supremacy should note however that the baggy greens have averaged just 242 first innings runs in their last three third-Tests on British soil and punters looking to sell the supremacy spread will take encouragement from England's equivalent average of 263, or an average supremacy of 21, over the same period.
Sporting Index bettors that like to get involved in the individual player markets will be interested to know that Freddie Flintoff tends to bring his best to Edgbaston. Between 2000 and 2008 he has scored 476 runs at an average of 47.60. Cricket bettors buying into his player performance or runs spreads will be hoping he can remain fit and add to his one century and two half-centuries in that period, his highest score being 167. Kevin Pietersen also has a strong record at the ground having scored 344 runs since 2005 at an average of 57.33. Even better than Flintoff, KP has scored one century and two half-centuries here since 2005.
Buyers of England's series win spread will have noted that the Aussies have had mixed results at Edgbaston in recent years. In 1997 Australia suffered a huge collapse against England and managed to lose in just over three days, whilst in 1999 the Aussies drew a memorable one-day World Cup match here with the South Africans. Regular cricket spread punters are sure to remember that Edgbaston was also the venue for the epic battle in 2005 where England triumphed by just two runs in the closest Ashes match ever. Both buyers and sellers of England's match win index spread might like to consider that England have won 22 of their 43 tests at Edgbaston, although only spread buyers will be pleased with the host's record against Australia here of P12, W5, L3 and D4.
England have managed to notch some fairly impressive totals at the Warwickshire venue including a 566-9 declared against West Indies in 2004. Cricket bettors will be interested to know that the highest total ever reached by an English side at Edgbaston was 633/5 declared, and although that was back in 1979 it will not stop buyers of England's team ton-ups spread hoping that the top-order is able to stamp their authority over the Aussies and get somewhere close to this record.
Despite a certain success in the West Midlands, buyers of Australia's win index spread may take more from analysis of England's performances in the middle Ashes Test - Strauss's team has a poor record in third Tests of a home Ashes series. At the last such match, at Old Trafford in 2005, England managed a draw but in the previous two third Tests, in 2001 (Trent Bridge) and 1997 (Old Trafford again), England were comfortably beaten by seven wickets and 268 runs respectively. Buyers of Australia's first innings supremacy should note however that the baggy greens have averaged just 242 first innings runs in their last three third-Tests on British soil and punters looking to sell the supremacy spread will take encouragement from England's equivalent average of 263, or an average supremacy of 21, over the same period.
Sporting Index bettors that like to get involved in the individual player markets will be interested to know that Freddie Flintoff tends to bring his best to Edgbaston. Between 2000 and 2008 he has scored 476 runs at an average of 47.60. Cricket bettors buying into his player performance or runs spreads will be hoping he can remain fit and add to his one century and two half-centuries in that period, his highest score being 167. Kevin Pietersen also has a strong record at the ground having scored 344 runs since 2005 at an average of 57.33. Even better than Flintoff, KP has scored one century and two half-centuries here since 2005.
Trading Talk - The Ashes
Now the talking is over and series underway, the tussle for the Ashes hots-up with a mid-summer second Test at the Home of Cricket. Ashes spread bettors thumbing through their formbooks will be aware that Lord's is traditionally a ground where the Aussies have enjoyed rich pickings - it was the scene of their solitary victory in the 2005 series and the tourists have remained unbeaten there since 1934. Like the Ashes schedulers who moved the Lord's test from its familiar position as the series opener, buyers of the Australia match win index spread will note their dominant record of 15 victories, 14 draws and five defeats.
However, spread buyers of Australian team and individual match runs will note that captain Ricky Ponting has a poor individual record at Lord's with an average of just 17.25 in Tests against England, having never made higher than 49. Furthermore, few of the current Aussie squad have experience playing in front of the MCC. Of those that do, vice-captain Michael Clarke performed admirably here in 2005 with an average of 51 and top score of 91. Simon Katich has an average of 47 from the same two innings, but he will be hoping to keep Andrew Flintoff at bay who bowled him four times in the last series on English soil.
Unsurprisingly, Sporting Index expect the batting danger man for the Three Lions to be Kevin Pietersen, whose two Lords knocks in the 2005 series yielded a brace of half centuries backing up his superb ground average of 72.90 - the highest of any Englishman to have played more than 5 matches at the venue. Buyers of Andrew Strauss's total runs spread should also be pleased to note that the England skipper is fifth in the all-time list of England Test scorers at Lord's. Currently standing on a total of 989, the left-handed England opener will easily pass the 1,000 mark if he produces anything like his previous Lord's form.
However, spread buyers of Australian team and individual match runs will note that captain Ricky Ponting has a poor individual record at Lord's with an average of just 17.25 in Tests against England, having never made higher than 49. Furthermore, few of the current Aussie squad have experience playing in front of the MCC. Of those that do, vice-captain Michael Clarke performed admirably here in 2005 with an average of 51 and top score of 91. Simon Katich has an average of 47 from the same two innings, but he will be hoping to keep Andrew Flintoff at bay who bowled him four times in the last series on English soil.
Unsurprisingly, Sporting Index expect the batting danger man for the Three Lions to be Kevin Pietersen, whose two Lords knocks in the 2005 series yielded a brace of half centuries backing up his superb ground average of 72.90 - the highest of any Englishman to have played more than 5 matches at the venue. Buyers of Andrew Strauss's total runs spread should also be pleased to note that the England skipper is fifth in the all-time list of England Test scorers at Lord's. Currently standing on a total of 989, the left-handed England opener will easily pass the 1,000 mark if he produces anything like his previous Lord's form.
Sachin Tendulkar's Great Hundreds
Sachin Tendulkar, probably the most successful cricketer of India of all time, is willing to end his career only after getting 15,000 runs in test cricket and winning 2011 world cup for India.
In an interview with Wisden, Sachin told "I am not pleased yet with what I have done." He added that Sunil Gavaskar has told him to get this achievement. With more than 12,500 runs at an average near 55, Sachin Tendulkar has made 42 hundreds in Test cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar started his test career in 1989 at Karachi against Pakistan. If we see his performance in the last 15-20 years we find that his efforts and not only great but also extraordinary sometimes. This makes Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar special in Indian Cricket and World Cricket. Some of the great hundreds in test cricket are be following
Sachin Tendulkar's Great Hundreds:
1. 119 not out v England, Old Trafford, 1990- At the age of 17, Tendulkar managed to score 119 not out facing Malcolm, Fraser, Lewis and Hemmings on a good pitch for bowlers. India were chasing 408 runs to win, but at one time they were struggling 127 for 5, with only Tendulkar left as a recognised batsman. But with efforts of Tendulkar who batted for approximately four hours and partnerships with Kapil Dev and Manoj Prabhakar, India managed to save the test match with equal position of wining.
2. 114 v Australia, Perth, 1991-92 - It was the last test of a series which India were down 3-0. Australian fast bowlers on a Perth wicket were making difficult for Indian batsmen to score runs. On this ground Sachin played a great knock of 114 with 16 boundaries. It was a great effort facing bowlers like Reiffel, McDermott, Whitney and Hughes.
3. 169 v South Africa, Cape Town, 1996-97 - This was the second test of three test series. South African bowlers bowled out India for 100 and 66 in the first test at Durban. South Africans have scored 529 and India were 58 for 5 with Tendulkar and Azheruddin on crease. From this point the most expected result was an innings defeat for India. But Sachin played one of his greatest innings of all time to score 169 that included a partnership of 222 with Azheruddin that helped India to save a follow on.
4. 155 not out v Australia, Chennai, 1997-98 - This was the first test match of three test series. The focus was on the contest between Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar. In the first innings Warne managed to dismiss Tendulkar for four, and Australian spinners made it difficult for Indian batsmen to stay at wickets for long. From 126 for 1 India bowled out for mere 257. Aussies took a lead of 71. In the second innings Sachin came and scored 155 runs to frustrate Aussie bowlers that finally helped India to win the test by 179 runs.
5. 136 v Pakistan, Chennai, 1998-99- Chasing a score of 271 India lost their 5 wickets for 82 when Sachin Tendulkar and Nayan Mongia started a partnership to bring India back onto a winning position. Tendulkar was struggling with pain in his back but still played a heroic innings. Sachin got out with 18 runs needed to win. In spite of this great performance India lost the game.
6. 116 v Australia, Melbourne, 1999-00 - After losing the first test match of the series, India were 31 for 3 after Australia finished their innings on 405. Sachin played a great knock in front of Mcgrath, Fleming, Lee(debut test) and Warne on boxing day test match.
7. 155 v South Africa, Bloemfontein, 2001-02 - On first day of a tour to South Africa India ended the day on 372 for 7. This was a great achievement to score more than 350 runs in front of Pollock, Ntini, Hayward, Klusener and Kallis on first day of the series. Tendulkar scored 155 of 183 balls with 23 fours and a six. Sehwag(dubut test) also scored a hundred and was involved in a partnership of 220 runs with Tendulkar.
8. 193 v England, Headingley, Leeds, 2002 - Great knock from Tendulkar helped India to win a test match in England after a long time. Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly also scored tons and India won by innings and 46 runs.
9. 241 not out v Australia, Sydney 2003-04 - In a four test series Sachin's performance in the first three test was ordinary. The whole attraction was grabbed by Laxman, Dravid, Sehwag and Ganguly. In the final test at SCG Sachin showed his class by hitting an unbeaten 241 that helped India to score a mammoth 705 for 7. Laxman also played a great knock and scored 178. He was involved in a partnership of 353 with Tendulkar.
10. 160 v New Zealand, Hamilton, 2008-09 - Winning a test match in New Zealand is a big task for Indian Cricket Team. In this match Sachin scored 160 to help India taking a lead of 241 and ensuring a positive result in the first test.
In an interview with Wisden, Sachin told "I am not pleased yet with what I have done." He added that Sunil Gavaskar has told him to get this achievement. With more than 12,500 runs at an average near 55, Sachin Tendulkar has made 42 hundreds in Test cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar started his test career in 1989 at Karachi against Pakistan. If we see his performance in the last 15-20 years we find that his efforts and not only great but also extraordinary sometimes. This makes Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar special in Indian Cricket and World Cricket. Some of the great hundreds in test cricket are be following
Sachin Tendulkar's Great Hundreds:
1. 119 not out v England, Old Trafford, 1990- At the age of 17, Tendulkar managed to score 119 not out facing Malcolm, Fraser, Lewis and Hemmings on a good pitch for bowlers. India were chasing 408 runs to win, but at one time they were struggling 127 for 5, with only Tendulkar left as a recognised batsman. But with efforts of Tendulkar who batted for approximately four hours and partnerships with Kapil Dev and Manoj Prabhakar, India managed to save the test match with equal position of wining.
2. 114 v Australia, Perth, 1991-92 - It was the last test of a series which India were down 3-0. Australian fast bowlers on a Perth wicket were making difficult for Indian batsmen to score runs. On this ground Sachin played a great knock of 114 with 16 boundaries. It was a great effort facing bowlers like Reiffel, McDermott, Whitney and Hughes.
3. 169 v South Africa, Cape Town, 1996-97 - This was the second test of three test series. South African bowlers bowled out India for 100 and 66 in the first test at Durban. South Africans have scored 529 and India were 58 for 5 with Tendulkar and Azheruddin on crease. From this point the most expected result was an innings defeat for India. But Sachin played one of his greatest innings of all time to score 169 that included a partnership of 222 with Azheruddin that helped India to save a follow on.
4. 155 not out v Australia, Chennai, 1997-98 - This was the first test match of three test series. The focus was on the contest between Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar. In the first innings Warne managed to dismiss Tendulkar for four, and Australian spinners made it difficult for Indian batsmen to stay at wickets for long. From 126 for 1 India bowled out for mere 257. Aussies took a lead of 71. In the second innings Sachin came and scored 155 runs to frustrate Aussie bowlers that finally helped India to win the test by 179 runs.
5. 136 v Pakistan, Chennai, 1998-99- Chasing a score of 271 India lost their 5 wickets for 82 when Sachin Tendulkar and Nayan Mongia started a partnership to bring India back onto a winning position. Tendulkar was struggling with pain in his back but still played a heroic innings. Sachin got out with 18 runs needed to win. In spite of this great performance India lost the game.
6. 116 v Australia, Melbourne, 1999-00 - After losing the first test match of the series, India were 31 for 3 after Australia finished their innings on 405. Sachin played a great knock in front of Mcgrath, Fleming, Lee(debut test) and Warne on boxing day test match.
7. 155 v South Africa, Bloemfontein, 2001-02 - On first day of a tour to South Africa India ended the day on 372 for 7. This was a great achievement to score more than 350 runs in front of Pollock, Ntini, Hayward, Klusener and Kallis on first day of the series. Tendulkar scored 155 of 183 balls with 23 fours and a six. Sehwag(dubut test) also scored a hundred and was involved in a partnership of 220 runs with Tendulkar.
8. 193 v England, Headingley, Leeds, 2002 - Great knock from Tendulkar helped India to win a test match in England after a long time. Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly also scored tons and India won by innings and 46 runs.
9. 241 not out v Australia, Sydney 2003-04 - In a four test series Sachin's performance in the first three test was ordinary. The whole attraction was grabbed by Laxman, Dravid, Sehwag and Ganguly. In the final test at SCG Sachin showed his class by hitting an unbeaten 241 that helped India to score a mammoth 705 for 7. Laxman also played a great knock and scored 178. He was involved in a partnership of 353 with Tendulkar.
10. 160 v New Zealand, Hamilton, 2008-09 - Winning a test match in New Zealand is a big task for Indian Cricket Team. In this match Sachin scored 160 to help India taking a lead of 241 and ensuring a positive result in the first test.
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