What Can I Bet On?
Few sporting events can match the global scope and blockbuster hype of the Cricket World Cup, so it won’t come as a surprise to know UK bookies will pull out all the stops when it comes to ways you can bet. Here are some top betting markets to look out for.
Outright winner
It’s the ultimate question for any Cricket World Cup: which team will make their nation proud by holding that gleaming trophy up in triumph? This is the ultimate World Cup market, and even the savviest gambler will find it hard to resist betting with their heart rather than their head.
Match Score
It’s not the easiest thing to predict what the scorecard will be for a match, but the rewards from longer odds can make this a very worthwhile betting market.
Top Run-scorer and Top Wicket-taker
It’s always enjoyable to predict who the stars of each match will be. You can bet on who you think will be the heaviest-hitting batsman, and which bowler will do the most damage to the wickets.
Innings Runs
Usually an over/under bet, this market lets you guess whether the total runs in an innings will exceed a number set by the bookmaker.
Method of Dismissal
In-play betting provides its own unique markets, and one of the most popular is wagering on how you think the current batsman will be dismissed.
Fifty/Century
Does what it says on the tin. You bet on whether you think the match will feature a half-century or a century.
Prop Bets
The complexity of cricket means it can yield all kinds of prop bets, such as how many runs will be piled up in a number of overs, how many wickets a bowler will take, and who the first batsman to hit a six will be.
In-Play Betting
Betting during a Cricket World Cup innings is just as easy as betting before play commences. Thanks to live, or in-play, betting, you can take advantage of odds as they fluctuate in response to the twists and turns of the match. To take one example, if it looks like the favourites are slipping, the odds will get longer. If you bet at this point and the favourites do go on to win the match, you’ll get a better payout compared to gamblers who bet on the short odds at the start.
Cash Out
One major advantage of live betting is that many top UK bookies will let you cash out if you get the sneaking suspicion your bet is destined to lose. If, say, you’ve bet on a particular final scorecard, and the numbers aren’t racking up as you’d hoped, you can hit the cash out option to get a payout based on the current odds and how much you staked. Of course, it won’t be as much as a winning payout, but at least it’s something!
Accumulators
Accumulators are exactly what they sound like: different bets grouped together on one slip. Also known as acca bets, they can provide bigger payouts because the separate odds will be multiplied together. The snag is that even one losing selection will mean the whole acca loses. Still, many bookies offer acca insurance, which will return your stake as free bet credits if a single selection lets you down.
Boost Your Bankroll
When deciding which UK betting site to sign up to, most punters will pay close attention to the welcome bonuses on offer. These can include:
- Matched deposit bonuses, where the bookie will match a certain percentage of your initial deposit up to a certain amount – eg, “100% up to £150” means that an initial deposit of £150 will give you a total of £300 to bet with
- Free bets, where you’ll be gifted a small amount in free bets if you make a qualifying opening bet – eg, £10 in free bets if you bet £10
Before signing up on the strength of the welcome bonus, always check wagering requirements, minimum odds requirements, and deadlines for collecting winnings.
Take Advantage of Promos
On top of welcome bonuses, the top-rated UK bookmakers will also roll out promotions for regular customers. These can include:
- Money-back offers, where – in the event of a losing bet – you’ll get your stake back in the form of free bet credits, up to a certain maximum limit
- Enhanced odds, where the bookie will boost the odds on popular betting markets for a major event like the Cricket World Cup
Payment Options
The UK’s best betting sites make it their business to make it as convenient as possible for you to send and withdraw funds. That means you’ll have plenty of banking options on offer, including:
- Visa and Mastercard debit cards
- PayPal
- Neteller
- Skrill
- Paysafecard
- Bank transfer
PayPal is the UK's most popular e-wallet option, offering additional security layers, a free and easy-to-use mobile app and rapid payments.
Neteller combines e-wallet and prepaid card services into one simple platform, meaning you can manage and use your funds in a way that suits you best.
Paysafecard's prepaid card and PIN system mean you don't have to disclose any personal information when depositing, making budgeting simple.
Skrill is renowned for its speed, simplicity as well as its excellent security features.
Place Your Bets on the Go
Like the idea of having a flutter on the Cricket World Cup wherever you happen to be? That’s easy, thanks to mobile betting sites. You can simply log onto their website via the web browser on your phone or tablet, with no need to download anything. Alternatively, there may be a native app which you can download to your device. These native apps are quicker to access, tend to be better optimised and also provide push notifications so you’ll know when the latest promos are made available.
Cricket World Cup Betting Tips
The three words that come in handy for any kind of sports bet are “research, research, research”. First up, research the head to head stats for the teams doing battle on the pitch. How have they fared against each other in previous encounters? And have any players been compromised by injuries lately?
You’ll also want to look at the venues in use during the Cricket World Cup. Some will benefit fast bowlers, for example, giving such players an even greater edge. Others may be known for having excellent batting pitches, which means a team that’s renowned for its bowling ferocity may be on the back foot.
Other Major Cricket Tournaments
While the Cricket World Cup is the flagship event in the world of cricket, there are some other major tournaments that get bettors buzzing. These include:
- The Ashes, which takes place every four years and sees Australia and England thrash out the oldest and most ferocious rivalry in cricket
- The T20 World Cup, the premier Twenty20 clash which takes place for the men’s and women’s game every two years
- The Asia Cup, which takes place for the men’s and women’s game every two years and involves the One Day International and Twenty20 formats
Looking Back at the Cricket World Cup
Even the most avid cricket fans may be surprised to learn that the women’s Cricket World Cup actually predates the men’s version. It took place in 1973 in England, with the hosts taking the trophy. “The tournament created huge public awareness of the very existence of women’s cricket,” England captain Rachael Heyhoe-Flint later said.
The first men’s Cricket World Cup took place two years later and was won by the West Indies, who were gearing up to become a near-unstoppable force in cricket. The Windies won the next World Cup as well, but the third – in 1983 – saw one of the biggest cricket upsets of all time. This was when India, who had been dismissed by fans and bookies alike as absolute underdogs, somehow managed to topple the defending champions and take home the prize.
Less of an earthquake, but still a noteworthy upset, was Ireland’s win against England in the 2011 World Cup. The team surged back from 111/5 to pass England’s 327 and beat the odds to win, with Kevin O’Brien scoring the fastest century ever seen in the tournament’s history.
Ready to Bet on the Cricket World Cup?
The Cricket World Cup doesn’t come along very often, so it’s time to get excited. Weigh up the top-rated UK bookies recommended by our experts, sign up and get ready to bet!
Frequently Asked Questions
Both the men’s and women’s Cricket World Cups take place every four years.
Yes, as long as you stick to betting sites licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. This is a guarantee that the bookmaker will use industry-standard tech to safeguard your personal details, and abide by fair play practises.
The Internet is awash with cricket betting tips, especially when World Cup fever takes hold. While these tips can certainly provide useful insights, it’s important to remember there are no certainties. And doing your own research, as mentioned above, never hurts.
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