December 2008

Cricket Betting: Bell tolls for old, timid Aussies

Ralph Ellis / 31 December 2008 / Leave a comment

After a first home series defeat in 16 years, Ricky Ponting's team are in disarray. With only seven months to go until the Ashes, this is good news for England, writes Ralph Ellis....Read more »

Cricket betting: Australia v South Africa - 3rd Test Preview

Ed Hawkins / 30 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Graeme Smith's men have stunned Australia by winning the first two Tests. Will Ricky Ponting's men bite back having had their pride wounded or will South Africa's talismanic skipper gee up his troops for one last time and deliver a...Read more »

Daniel Vettori: Bearded wonder trying to get New Zealand out of a spin

Andrew Hughes / 30 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Andrew Hughes looks at the multi-dimensional role carried out by New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori and considers whether he and the team have improved since he took charge of the Black Caps....Read more »

Pie-chuckers and cricket's oddest bowling techniques

Frank Gregan / 29 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Frank Gregan was far from impressed at Kevin Pietersen's remarks surrounding Yuvraj Singh's bowling. Here he looks the art of pie-chucking and bizarre bowling techniques as demonstrated by the likes of Muttiah Muralitharan and his Sri Lankan team-mate Lasith Malinga....Read more »

New Zealand v West Indies 2nd Twenty20: The stage is set for another Chris Gayle onslaught

Andrew Hughes / 27 December 2008 / Leave a comment

If you don't believe these two sides are evenly matched, then look no further than their recent results: two drawn Tests and a tied 1st Twenty20 match. It's likely to be close again but the savage hitting of Chris Gayle...Read more »

Ponting searches for excuses as curtain falls on Aussie dominance

Ralph Ellis / 23 December 2008 / Leave a comment

With his team floundering and his selections questioned, the Australian captain is resorting to bad habits, says Ralph Ellis....Read more »

Second Test Final Verdict: Outcome was predictable and England need to ring the changes

Ed Hawkins / 23 December 2008 / Leave a comment

An India series win was the favourite in the betting and a 1-0 scoreline the jolly in the correct score market. England's overall performance had some positives but a change of personnel is needed for their next Tour, says Ed...Read more »

Graeme Swann is about as good at PR spin as he is at spin bowling

Frank Gregan / 22 December 2008 / 1 Comments

As England continue to be humbled in India, the players and management continue to talk about confidence, enthusiasm, tremendous achievements and staying positive. And Frank Gregan has had enough of it......Read more »

India v England Live Blog: Day Five

Ed Hawkins / 22 December 2008 / Leave a comment

England look to have missed the boat in terms of levelling the Series. But day five pitches do strange things and an England win, or more likely, an India win (if early England wickets fall) may still be on the...Read more »

India v England Second Test: Day four verdict - Only an England implosion can stop the draw

Ed Hawkins / 22 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Ed Hawkins looks back on day four, when any chance England had of levelling the series went in the Mohali fog....Read more »

Test Match Betting: Stonewallers and the man they call "The Wall"

Andrew Hughes / 22 December 2008 / Leave a comment

If you think occupying the crease for hours on end without scoring many runs isn't an art, think again. Andrew Hughes explains to us the value of having a Dravid or Chanderpaul in your batting line-up....Read more »

India v England Second Test Live Blog: Day Four

Ed Hawkins / 21 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Ed "The Hawkeye" Hawkins will be with us from 8.30 am on Monday to talk us through the action at the crease, the stats, the betting and other cricket and biscuit-related topics. Remember to e-mail him at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk with any...Read more »

India v England Second Test: Day three verdict - India in control despite KP ton

Ed Hawkins / 21 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Ed Hawkins sums up the action on day which ended as it began......Read more »

India v England Second Test Live Blog: Day Three

Ed Hawkins / 21 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Ed "The Hawkeye" Hawkins will be with us from 8.30 am on Sunday to talk us through the action at the crease, the stats, the betting and other cricket and biscuit-related topics. Remember to e-mail him at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk with any...Read more »

India v England Second Test: Day two verdict - Hosts remain most tempting bet despite late wickets

Ed Hawkins / 20 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Commentators might be gushing about England's chances but such optimism only makes Ed Hawkins wish the so-called experts would open Betfair accounts......Read more »

India v England Second Test: Day one verdict - England may not lose but surely they cannot win from here...

Ed Hawkins / 19 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Ed Hawkins on a dismal day for the tourists that ended with India in a comfortable position at stumps.......Read more »

India v England 2nd Test Live Blog: Day Two

Ed Hawkins / 18 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Ed "The Hawkeye" Hawkins will be with us from 8.30 am on Saturday to talk us through the action at the crease, the stats, the betting and other cricket and biscuit-related topics. Remember to e-mail him at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk with any...Read more »

India v England 2nd Test: Who will react best to India's stunning 1st Test victory?

Ed Hawkins / 17 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Few could begrudge the way Tendulkar and Sehwag gave the people of Mumbai something to cheer about after the atrocities of the last month but Friday presents a new "Test" for both teams. Ed Hawkins crunches the stats to try...Read more »

Neil McKenzie: The epitome of an "old school" Test opener

Andrew Hughes / 17 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Mocked for his never-ending superstitions, dropped during the introduction of the quota system in the Test team and asked to open after being a middle-order batsman throughout most of his career, Neil McKenzie has overcome many obstacles, says Andrew Hughes....Read more »

Cricket Betting: Disorder in the current England middle-order

Andrew Hughes / 16 December 2008 / 1 Comments

With the flawless technique of Ian Bell, resilience of Collingwood, power of Flintoff and outrageous talent of KP, the England midddle-order should be firing on all cylinders, but it's not. Andrew Hughes analyses the problems and possible solutions....Read more »

Cricket Betting: Why the Australian always gets the benefit of the doubt

Frank Gregan / 15 December 2008 / Leave a comment

The days of David Shepherd standing on one leg may be long gone but have we really seen the end of cricket's more colourful umpires? Frank Gregan isn't so sure....Read more »

India v England: Day five verdict - Historic Test underlines importance of sport

Ed Hawkins / 15 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Mumbai's favourite son hits the winning runs as India come in from [55.0] to record the fourth highest fourth innings total in Test history....Read more »

Live Test Match Blog: India v England Day Five

Ed Hawkins / 14 December 2008 / Leave a comment

It's come down to the deciding day in Chennai. After three-and-a-half brilliant days, England let their advantage slip with ponderous batting and loose bowling, and yet a win is still possible. Let Ed Hawkins talk you through the final action...Read more »

India v England: Day four verdict - Sehwag's brilliance shows England how to play

Ed Hawkins / 14 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Plodding play costs England and India now stand on the brink of landmark comeback win. Ed Hawkins on the fourth day in Chennai......Read more »

Live Test Match Blog: India v England Day Four

Ed Hawkins / 13 December 2008 / Leave a comment

England have set themselves up for what was - according to the odds - a highly unlikely victory in India. Trading as the near even money favourites ahead of day four, a positive batting performance on Sunday is vital. Can...Read more »

India v England: Day three verdict - England must be bold to secure rare win

Ed Hawkins / 13 December 2008 / Leave a comment

A huge total may not be needed if the stats are anything to go by, says Ed Hawkins....Read more »

Live Test Match Blog: India v England Day Three

Ed Hawkins / 12 December 2008 / Leave a comment

England have got themselves in a pretty good position but can they really turn the screw on day three? Ed Hawkins talks us through the cricket, the betting and the best cricket-watching refreshments. Remember to e-mail Ed at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk....Read more »

India v England: Day Two verdict - England win would be a major upset

Ed Hawkins / 12 December 2008 / Leave a comment

It's been very much England's day today with the fall of six big Indian wickets and England now the favourites to take first blood. Ed Hawkins talks us through it all......Read more »

Live Test Match Blog: India v England Day Two

Ed Hawkins / 11 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Ed "The Hawkeye" Hawkins is on duty on day two of the Test to talk us through what's going on in the middle, the betting, the stats and anything else he fancies. Remember you can e-mail Ed at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk with...Read more »

India v England: First day verdict and why your money should be on Sehwag

Ed Hawkins / 11 December 2008 / 1 Comments

Ed gives us the "Hawkeye View" on what happened during the first day's play and England's misseed opportunities. Plus, why Virender Sehwag can cash in tomorrow....Read more »

Test Match Betting: Now or never for....Yuvraj Singh

Andrew Hughes / 11 December 2008 / Leave a comment

He's one of the top Twenty20 and ODI batsmen in the world so why has he consistently failed to cut the mustard in Test cricket, asks Andrew Hughes....Read more »

Live Test Match Blog: India v England - Day One

Ed Hawkins / 11 December 2008 / Leave a comment

England have made a superb start to the First Test after winning the toss and electing to bat. Here with all the latest on the action, the betting and the best tea-time refreshments is Ed "The Hawkeye" Hawkins. If you...Read more »

The Betfair Contrarian: Why India won't win the First Test

The Betfair Contrarian / 10 December 2008 / 3 Comments

Terrorist attacks and humiliation in the recent ODI Series haven't exactly made for the best preparation as far as England are concerned but they won't be losing the First Test, says the Betfair Contrarian. Here's why......Read more »

English Cricket: Potential debuts for Rashid and Khan in the most trying of circumstances

Andrew Hughes / 09 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Depending on injuries and conditions, Amjad Khan and Adil Rashid could be making their Test debuts on Thursday. Here Andrew Hughes looks at the dream debuts, horror debuts and one-cap wonders of recent times of English Test cricket....Read more »

First Test Betting: India v England

Ed Hawkins / 08 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Play goes on in India and so, therefore, does the betting. Ed Hawkins looks at the stats and the odds ahead of the first Test in Chennai where the weather can play a significant role in the result....Read more »

Cricket Betting: England's bravery deserves reward

Frank Gregan / 08 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Frank Gregan applauds the England cricketers' bravery as they prepare to meet India in the first Test on Thursday....Read more »

Cricket Betting: Credit Pietersen for his conduct this week

Ralph Ellis / 05 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Despite the one day series capitulation against India, the England captain remains a leader of promise. He has impressed Ralph Ellis with his handling of recent adversity but that doesn't mean we should expect England to prevail in India....Read more »

Test Series Betting: Australia v South Africa

Andrew Hughes / 04 December 2008 / Leave a comment

There's rarely been a better time for South Africa to play Australia than now, says Andrew Hughes, so why does the market have them as big as [3.8]?...Read more »

Cricket Betting: More than just a test match. India needs England to return.

Ed Hawkins / 02 December 2008 / Leave a comment

The 'will they won't they' saga of whether or not England's cricketers will return to India, is almost at an end with a decision expected in the next few days. Ed Hawkins is one who feels that the squad should...Read more »

Cricket Betting: The importance of knowing your rankings

Andrew Hughes / 02 December 2008 / Leave a comment

Watch out punters! As India and South Africa challenge Australia for the title of best Test team in the world, some dangerous fallacies could do serious damage to your wallets. Read Andrew Hughes on why serious cricket punters should know...Read more »

International Cricket: A testing time for all but a decision must be made

Frank Gregan / 01 December 2008 / Leave a comment

The terrorist attacks in Mumbai have seen the England cricket team fly home, with the decision on whether to return or not for the Test matches being left up to the players discretion, not an easy dilemma for KP's men...Read more »