When sports fans in the U.S. hear the word cricket, they often think of the insect and the annoying chirping sound it makes. Around the globe, however, sports enthusiasts adore the game with innovative ways to wager on it.

Cricket is the second-most popular sport in the world, trailing only behind soccer, and the game is gaining traction in North America. As a result, betting on cricket has become increasingly fashionable, with sportsbooks offering a variety of betting options.

Knowing more about cricket will help bettors make better wagering decisions.

Understanding Cricket Betting

Odds can be shown in American, decimal, and fractional formats, with the favorite having lower odds. Betting on a match winner is the easiest bet, though the markets run much deeper.

Cricket Formats Explained

Types of Cricket Bets

Like any sport that features two teams competing for a score with a winner and loser determined at the conclusion, cricket has a wide variety of betting options available.

They range from the most basic pick-the-winner wager to more complex series and tournament bets.

There are also markets for individual player accomplishments. In other words, betting on cricket is similar to betting on just about every other team sport.

Match Winner (Moneyline)

This is the simplest wager to make in cricket, just like it is in a football or basketball game.

Odds are assigned prior to the match with the team having the higher probability of winning, or the favorite, given negative (-) American odds. The underdog is assigned plus (+) odds.

The moneyline bet is on which team wins the match. This is the easiest bet to place if starting a cricket betting journey. Yet, there are factors to consider to help make a more informed wager.

Top Batsman/Top Bowler

Similar to a player prop bet in other major sports, fans can bet on their favorite cricketers to score the most runs or take the most wickets in a match.

The top batsman is the player who scores the most runs in a particular contest, typically from the top of the order and almost always from the winning team. Similarly, a prop is for which team or player will have the most sixes in a match.

Taking wickets is the most important stat for a bowler; thus, the category of top bowler refers to the number of wickets taken.

Total Runs (Over/Under)

The basics of the over/under are the same in cricket as they are in other major team sports. This is simply a wager on whether the total number of runs scored will be higher (over) or lower (under) than the value posted by the sportsbooks.

The number is higher than what most bettors might be used to since cricket produces a lot of runs. The wager can be on the number of runs scored in an entire match by both teams or scored in a specific inning.

Betting on the total is an easy way to get involved in cricket betting since it’s not about who wins the match.

Man of the Match

Think of this award as the Player of the Game. Awarded by the selection committee, it goes to the player with the biggest impact on the outcome of the match, almost always based on their batting, bowling, or all-around play.

Sportsbooks assign odds with players most likely to win the award having shorter odds. Those with higher odds are less likely to win Man of the Match. If the player you bet on is officially named the winner, you win the bet.

First Wicket Method

Think of taking a wicket as recording an out in baseball. The first wicket method basically refers to how the fielding team dismisses the first batsman in a match or inning. There are several ways this can be done, with the most common dismissal methods including:

• Catch: A fielder catches a batted ball before it hits the ground.
• Bowled: The bowler knocks the bails off the wickets behind the batsmen.
• Leg Before Wicket: A batsman is hit in the legs or body, obstructing a ball that would’ve hit the wickets behind him.
• Run Out: A fielder hits the wickets with the ball while the batsman is running but outside his crease.
• Stumped: The wicketkeeper knocks the bails off the wickets while the batsman is out of his crease and not attempting to run.

Session Betting (First 6 or 10 Overs)

Placing wagers on certain outcomes within a specific period during a match is called session betting. These sessions occur at different times depending on the format of the match.

A Test match typically has three sessions (morning, afternoon, and evening), while ODIs often have varied session breakdowns, depending on the innings or overs.

The first 10 overs in an ODI match and the first 6 overs in a T20 match are known as the powerplay. Restrictions are placed on the fielding team, encouraging more scoring early in matches.

Cricket Betting Strategies

Knowing how to bet on cricket isn’t as important as knowing when to bet; sometimes the best bet is the one you don’t make. And you wouldn’t throw down on a club you knew little to nothing about.

That’s why, as with any other sport, devising a betting strategy to increase your chances of success at the betting window is important.

Pitch and Weather Analysis

Different pitches can play a role in how the ball reacts, and also influence bowling and batting strategies.

For instance, grassy, green pitches tend to favor fast bowlers, with the surface often allowing for crazy bounces. A flat pitch with little grass generally works for the batsmen.

The type of surface can be attributed to weather conditions, with dried-out fields being harder and faster, typically aiding batsmen.

Weather can and often does influence the outcome of cricket matches. Cloudy conditions with moisture in the air can make the pitch damp, which is often a benefit for fast bowlers.

Player Form and Head-to-Head Records

As in other sports, cricketers should study and analyze comprehensive stats ahead of any match.

You should also consider how the team has performed in recent matches to get a better understanding of their overall form. Head-to-head results provide a larger historical perspective on a match between two clubs.

Also, consider the specific format of a match. For example, some teams perform better in Test matches, while others have success in a different format. And sometimes those differences are against the same opponent.

Live Betting on Cricket

There are times when live betting makes more sense than pre-match wagering, especially for Test matches that can run for days.

In a lot of ways, the game is suited for in-play betting. Several outcomes can flood the market, with odds changing swiftly.

It could feel like a chore, but closely observing the match allows bettors to detect momentum swings and real-time trends. This allows for a quick response to the action and potentially gets you more favorable odds for your wager.