Let’s check out our New Zealand v Sri Lanka 1st Test Match betting tips. Cricket fans have been plagued by early starts of late; this includes England’s weather-affected tour of Sri Lanka; then there’s the goings on in Australia as the scandal there refuses to budge. However, here we have a late-night fixture.
Here’s one for those up burning the midnight oil: Sky Sports bring us all the action live from the 1st Test Match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Basin Reserve, Wellington. With a 10pm start time on Sat 14th Dec, some may need a little convincing to stay up late as the play unfolds; however, one approach guaranteed to hold your attention is having a bet on the outcome.
Bookmakers have opened a flood of markets on both the 1st Test Match and series outright. Backers will find the odds offered are a little special as traders aim to pull you in. In the Test Match betting you can have your say on which side will take a 1-0 lead; or you could shoot for a bigger price from the specials. Wager your cash on top New Zealand batsman or top New Zealand bowler: who will score most runs for Sri Lanka in the game and which of the visitors will take most wickets.
New Zealand Won Last Time
New Zealand go into this series with confidence in the camp following a thoroughly impressive win over Pakistan last time out. In what proved to be an entertaining three games, New Zealand proved fastest out of the traps. They claimed a 1-0 lead, but saw their opponents peg them back to tie things up at 1-1 heading into the all-important decider.
It seemed to be anyone’s guess who would hold their nerve and claim the win. However, in the end, it was the tourists who triumphed in Abu Dhabi. The eventual winners took the final game with a stunning 123 run margin; that left no complaints from either as the results were settled.
It was a debut Will Somerville will recall fondly for the rest of his playing days after exploding on to the scene in fine style. The off-spinner kept his cool and showed composure way beyond his international experience to bank three key wickets; that proved the turning point that nudged things in his side’s favour. Somerville played a huge part; however, he couldn’t do it alone and had Ajax Patel and Tim Southee to thank for chipping in with a sizeable effort.
Bookies Back the Hosts
That caught the eye of bookmakers. They were keen to keep the victorious side close and support them to get off the mark with another 1st Test win; this time it was against a Sri Lanka – side feeling low following that mauling by England in front of their own fans.
The New Zealand win has been chalked up as favourite. Therefore backers deciding to follow the market will be hard pushed to find better than the 3/10 currently available at 888sport. That’s not the kind of quote that’s going to command your attention; maybe it should though as some firms are as tight as 2/9 on the same bet. Back enough 2/9 shots at 3/10 and you won’t go far wrong over the course of a season.
If you do fancy New Zealand to win it may be worth looking at the top batsman list and picking out a couple that catch your eye. Kane Williamson is favourite at 9/4 with William Hill and he’s sure to be popular. Ross Taylor heads the chase at 7/2 with Tom Latham and Jeet Raval 9/2, Henry Nicholls a lively alternative at 11/2.
Moving across to the top New Zealand bowler; that’s another important market that will take all the solving. However, the value on offer makes it a puzzle well worth figuring out. Trent Boult headlines the field at 9/2 and he is followed by Tim Southee 5/2; Matt Henry 3/1; Neil Wagner 11/4 and Colin de Grandhomme 11/2. Have a play on each of the two markets and it’ll give you an interest over the few days of action.
Sri Lanka Licking Their Wounds
Sri Lanka journey for this game licking their wounds after being mauled by the England cricket beast; the beast that is a fearsome opponent when hungry and in the mood to inflict pain. Sri Lanka played well in stages but proved no match for England and fell to an embarrassing whitewash, including a 42-run defeat in the final Test Match.
The beaten side did manage to nick a few scraps of respect back from England’s tour; this includes a heavy 219 run victory in the ODI format. However, when things got serious they couldn’t lay a glove on their opponents during test cricket that boosted England’s team spirit no end.
Sri Lanka were able to steady the ship a little when involved in a drawn match with New Zealand XI on Friday 7 December; however, there was more bad news for the team this week when it emerged spinner Akila Dananjaya had been suspended for illegal action. His suspension will cover bowling in international cricket with the foul believed to have taken place in the first match against England. He was able to play the 2nd Test but a report lodged sine led to the banning order.
Little Chance of the Upset
Bookies saw enough in that England whitewash to put them off Sri Lanka; however, they are more than happy to oppose here, offering the underdogs at a market best price 8/1 with Ladbrokes. That’s quite a cocky pitch; however, it’s difficult to argue against that stance, given their form. The teams drew last week in a Tour Match, but another level finish is unlikely at 6/1.
Other ways to approach this match are a bet on the highest opening partnership. Here you’ll find New Zealand as 4/7 favourites with William Hill against the 5/4 of Sri Lanka with the same firm. Get off to a flying start by betting on the outcome of the first ball bowled. Dot Ball is 2/9 favourite, Single a 7/1 poke, Bye or Leg Bye 16/1, Four 20/1 and Wicket as big as 50/1.