West Indies vs England 2nd Test

It might have been another disappointment for England but for the bettor this was a Test match to savour. All of our trades came in handily which meant we had locked up profit even before the result was announced. And to cap it off, our back of the draw came to fruition too. Life is wonderful.

Where exactly do we start? What a shambolic capitulation by England in the 1st Test. All is clearly not well in the garden of England.

My error was to underestimate the improvements in West Indies so what we have at the moment is a split book.

Firstly the good:

1: Pietersen runs is fine and I expect one century at least from the next 3 matches to make up a good score on the ton-ups spread

2: Our draw lays throughout the first Test came in handsomely – kerching.

3: Our first innings sell of England runs made a quick 30 point profit – lovely.

Now the bad:

1: Our series back of England to win is looking sick. Ouch!

I think we have to just let that run and accept it while trading around all the matches to make us an overall profit from the whole series. So far that has worked well so we should not panic and just continue our disciplined intermatch trading. The plan is to bulid up small but consistent wins and profits.

Onto the 2nd Test at Antigua. A flat belter of a pitch and plenty of runs are likely.

I can remember the 1400 or so West Indies and Australia scored here in a boring draw last spring. Because of this I am backing the draw for a hopefully easy trade during the first three days. If the pitch is flat even a dreadful England line up should manage a draw-inducing 400 in the first innings.

Draw 11/10

I also reckon a big century could be scored here and therefore am sourcing a bet on that – maybe a top-up on ton-ups on the spreads just for this match?

No, I will play the innings markets as we did in the first test. That gives me greater control so Friday afternoon before we all leave work I shall update and add trades. Keep your eyes peeled as you will get them on here as I do them.

Then Monday we shall start again.

By the way my draw plan is the back at 11/10 now and hopefully before Monday to trade out on Betfair from anywhere around 1.3 for a win-win screen for equal amounts.

2nd Test Update

I shall continue to refer to the Tests as they were initially set out so this is the second test in case people get confused with our long term series bets.

Yesterday (Day One) was magnificent for England and the pitch certainly looks flat with a hint of low bounce. The ground is fast scoring and this match needs to progress swiftly for England.

Now I reckon a draw lay will be good value sometime today. It is currently 1.68 in the 98th over and I reckon a lay anytime it reaches around 1.5 would be ideal.

Day Three Update

My plan for today is simple.

Every time Freddie Flintoff comes on to bowl I will be backing England – either as a trade on Betfair or by selling West Indies runs on the spreads.

Freddie should hit the difficult spot on the pitch more than most and that could cause huge problems for the batsmen.

Day Four Update

Yesterday worked splendidly – if not exactly as I envisaged.

I updated with the plan to back England whenever Freddie came on to bowl. Well, I did and we should have but we benefited mostly from Graeme Swann. Ok Freddie did his part with a wicket but we got good prices on England – or selling West Indies on the spreads – and as they were dismissed it worked brilliantly and we now have superb profits. I am taking them.

As for our draw lays of the second day we have had plenty of opportunity to trade them out for profit over the last two days.

If you still hold it do not despair as this could still be a draw.