Couch Critic provides his betting tips for the test matches between West Indies and India and Sri Lanka and New Zealand which get underway on Thursday 22nd August.
It’s very much cricket season as apart from the Ashes we are also treated to two more test matches starting on Thursday 22 August. Here is what I expect from these two games are where we could possibly have an opportunity of making some money.
SRI LANKA vs NEW ZEALAND -2ND Test @ Colombo
SETTING THE SCENE
The first test was a tightly fought encounter with three 250-od scores before the Sri Lankan openers finished things in style in the final innings of the game.
In Sri Lanka one usually gets either a dust bowl rank turner or a flat track batting paradise. It’s seems the P Sara stadium might just be a touch friendlier to the visiting Kiwis and there is no doubt they can move away from their failed three-spinner approach used in the first encounter.
HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT
Kane Williamson is one of the very best in the world but he had a stinker of an outing in Galle. The Kiwi captain won’t fail twice – you can put your money on that!
After trying a trio of spinners as their best possible option of attack I think the Black Caps will find their number one weapon in Colombo to be their left arm quickie. Boult should get amongst the Sri Lankan batsmen and skittle a few.
With a bit more on offer with the new ball I will look a touch further down the batting order for success. Dickwella showed some glimpses of a return to form but I reckon the price seems fair enough on a man that has turned from all rounder to solid top order batsman – Angelo Mathews.
Best Bets with BETOLIMP:
Top New Zealand 1st Inns Bowler – T Boult @ 4.00
Top Sri Lanka 1st Inns Bat – A Mathews @ 5.50
Batsman to score a hundred in the match – K Williamson YES @ 5.00
WEST INDIES vs INDIA -1st Test @ Antigua
SETTING THE SCENE
The Indians had things relatively comfortably their own way in the ODI’s and it’s time to move on to the longest form of the game in Antigua on Thursday to see if the hosts can find a way to change their fortunes around.
Earlier in the year the Windies picked up an impressive ten-wicket victory over England here at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium – Kemar Roach blowing the Poms away on that occasion. So the islanders will be keen to try and stick it to the visiting Indians on their own hostile turf.
HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT
There is no reason for things to change much from what transpired against England early in the year. We should be welcomed by a juicy pitch presented to the hosts to try and get India on the back foot early doors.
Given the conducive conditions predicted above Roach remains the man to pin our hopes on.
Bumrah has the cricket world at his feet at present but if the overhead as well as pitch conditions assist it’s Mohammed Shami that catches my eye the most for the visitors.
With the Indians challenged by the pace and movement upfront I’m looking down the order for my best contender. It’s no certainty with regard to who will be keeping wicket for India but should the plucky youngster, Pant get the nod he also has a realistic chance of making some crucial runs late on.
Best Bets with BETOLIMP:
Top Windies 1st Inns Bowler – K Roach @ 3.90
Top India 1st Inns Bowler – M Shami @ 3.90
Top India 1st Inns Batsman – R Pant @ 12.50
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
Couch Critic
