The Odds

Test match cricket is the longest and purest form of the sport. Test matches are played between national teams with “Test status”, as determined by the International Cricket Council (ICC), with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days. The origin of the name “Test” stems from the fact that the five day match is a “test” of the relative strength and endurance of the two teams.

The first official Test match began on 15th March 1877 between England and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with Australia winning by 45 runs. England won the second Test match (also at the MCG) by four wickets, resulting in a drawn series. Ironically, The Centenary Test to celebrate 100 years of Test cricket staged from 12th to 17th March 1977. In this match, Australia beat England by 45 runs, the same margin as the first Test match in 1877, which the 1977 match was commemorating resulted in exactly the same winning margin for Australia.

Test matches are contested by national representative teams. The ten sides currently holding “Test status” are England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

The best known and most keenly contested Test match series is that between Australia and England known as The Ashes. The legend of the Ashes resulted from the Australian tour of England in 1882. England slumped to their first ever home defeat and The Sporting Times published a mock obituary the following day, mourning the death of English cricket. The phrase in the obituary “The body shall be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia” led to the creation of the Ashes urn which remains the symbol of the competition between the two sides to this day. England reclaimed the Ashes at the first attempt, during their tour of Australia in 1882/3.

Originally Test matches were played over three or four days. Up until the 1980′s, it was usual to include a ‘rest day’, often on the Sunday. There was also a little experimentation with the so-called “Timeless Tests” which did not end after a predetermined maximum time. There have been a number of improvements in the rules to adapt to weather interruptions including changing the session times so that play can resume at the earliest opportunity and, if necessary, be extended when possible. Similarly, there are now a set number of overs to be bowled by the fielding side. There is also an option to extend play by 30 minutes (except on the final day) if the umpire believes that the match could be concluded within that time.

Test Match Betting

Test Match Cricket is the most established form of cricket betting. You can bet on the head to head and on the series or tournament outright. You can also bet on a wide range of specials including highest scoring batsman, highest wicket taker, innings totals and overall winning margin.

For the high profile Test matches, there are numerous other markets including most sixes, number of run outs and next man out, as well as a host of betting and bowling specials. There is also a very active “live” or “in running” market constantly updated throughout the five days.

Test Match Odds

Test Match odds are available from the outright result to the overall winning margin. There will also be a host of special betting opportunities including the highest scoring batsman for each side, the most successful bowler in terms of wickets taken and even match betting between players from each side.

You can also bet on innings totals, number of boundaries and a lot more. For events such as the Ashes, there will also be a lively market on the outright series winner.