I think 2-0 looks about right mate, allow one draw for either / combo of stubborn SL resistance, bad weather or even if SA decide to experiment with team selection at some stage. I think that SA will want this badly though, hard to believe they have won so few test series lately with these players

Cricinfo reporting that Sangakkara is doubtful for the first test....

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-afric … 44902.html

Obviously a huge blow for SL if he misses out

Hi Guys,

I have been following the forums from October and its really good stuff.
This morning I saw wsb has some interesting exotics out on the first test. 
The one that caught my eye was the 1st innings Tahir v Herath both @ 9/10. 
I am liking Herath on this one, following Mackem post said he should go through a load of overs and with Steyn and the Groundsman's comments yesterday about the pace and pitch I cannot see Tahir getting much 1st innings action.

Your thoughts?

Yip I like that one and will have a punt on Herath

Just a thought guys, if you fancy the 2-0 SA result but reckon the draw will come in the last test (Newlands) then you may be better off waiting as you will probably get 3/1 the draw in that match assuming SA have won the 1st 2.

Personally I think 3-0 SA is the call at around 18/10-2/1

Centurion Park is withut a doubt a happy hunting ground for pace bowlers
Green pitch expected so there will be plnenty of bite.
Stats strongly point towards Steyn and Morkel here:
Here is a snippet from cricket365:
"South Africa's seamers have enjoyed their visits to SuperSport Park, with Dale Steyn in particular excelling - he averages 19.00 here, which is a full four points below his phenomenal overall average. His partner in crime Morne Morkel can just about match that, having taken 16 wickets in three Tests at his home ground"
If you are keen on other markets then perhaps you may find the following info useful as well 
"Jacques Kallis has an astonishing record at the ground, having played in all but one of the 16 Tests that Centurion has hosted. In that time he's amassed over 1,200 runs at an average of 72.70, and his 31 wickets have come at a highly respectable 26.38.
The other batsmen obviously can't match that longevity, but Hashim Amla averages 94.66 from his five Tests here, while Ashwell Prince hit his highest Test score (162 not out against Bangladesh) at the ground and has an overall average of 67.75 in eight Centurion Tests"

Decent day, very predictable. If Kallis can get to 33 that should be 9/9, if he doesn't I'm more than happy with 8/9.

Sorry about the Herath bet lads, bowled pretty well but nothing in the wickets in column. I think I'll leave the second innings alone and wait for Durban

Great win for SA, but not ideal for the cash-tills at Centurion park, plus a load of ticket refunds to come for test finishing under 3 days. Hopefully SL make it more of a contest in Durbs, I'd say on the performance the 3-0 whitewash looks a good thing, I'm on 2-0 so a bit worried there.

Thanks Brent, its the way it goes. 
I recall a dropped catch and although I did enjoy the Tahir celebrations again there was a fair amount of luck in that dismissal as well.  I went for the 3-0 series win and will wait to see how that one turns out, Sri Lanka isn't gonna get much better.

cheers

Boxing Day test preview......

http://www.goodforthegame.co.za/cricket … eview.html

I like Smith / Amla in a runs match bet (check out test match averages at Durban) and Steyn to be top SA 1st innings wicket taker.

All picks welcome lads, look deep into those exotics and find a winner for us 

The young man couldn't have wished for a better start South, could be an inspired MoM call

Edit: make that 4 wickets - well done Chris - you're in with a shout with the MoM bet. Holding thumbs that Marchant mops up the SL tail tomorrow.

South you beauty! De Lange grabs 7 on debut - need SA to post a big one now but your MOM bet is flying!

LOL Charles, shot lads! Got to say that seven wickets on this Kingsmead pitch is pretty superb from the young man, it's real graft for the bowlers out there.

Taking Fall of 2nd wicket U40,5 at WSB 5/6. Looking overcast, definitely swing around this morning and the pitch will also help the bowlers with the rain that was in the air. South Africa will definitely know how important it is to strike early. Sangakkara also has struggled, not even getting beyond 5 runs in his 3 innings in South Africa.

Wow sri lanka won.How can a team starting at odds over 10 to 1 win so convincing? Eish we're aren't referred to as 'chokers' for nothing.

Okay lads lets try and get this cricket thing going for 2012...

AB is in solid form and the new ball has done a bit of late thus he gets my nod as top SA 1st innings bat @ 9/2. For the same reason I like Samraweera @ 5/1 for Sri Lanka, though I also believe Jaywardene could come off in this test and I might do a spread buy on him. I fancy Kallis to come back strong and have also added him as a MoM bet @ 8/1. Another bet I like is Welegedara top Sri L 1st Inns bowler at 28/10.

A chance of some light showers today but forcast for the rest of the test looks good so hopefully SA can seal the series, but the odds of 5/10 is way too short. Might take some in-running bets rather.

Come on the Proteas!!!

What a shocker- just realised the test only starts tomorrow...!! Poor form. Damn was really looking forward to a day of cricket!

Couch Critic wrote:

What a shocker- just realised the test only starts tomorrow...!! Poor form. Damn was really looking forward to a day of cricket!

LOL I know the feeling - sad thing is its the 2nd year in a row I have done this

I like that double Fearless

Have taken the draw at 8/1 with betX for 2 units. No stats to back  it just a gut feel.

Wednesday's first ODI preview with a couple of very speculative MoM picks, Botha and Chandimal

http://www.goodforthegame.co.za/cricket … eview.html

Only reading your post now and I see Trini came in with most sixes even though they got rolled Fearless, a good spot. 

Hey Machem,

Thanks bud! I am in total shock they got rolled, never had money on but something must have been wrong with that pitch batting second! That must have been the strongest T&T side that has ever played! I will keep an eye on their next few fixtures as I think if price is 6-10 or 7-10 again I will do 15 units again.

Simmons, Pollard, both Bravos, Barath and Cooper are all natural six hitters. I will be keeping an eye on the windies T20 tourny always fun following! I have been following the Big Bash and been good fun. Nice to see herschelle ending his career off in style and Gayle just being Gayle!

I like the handicap for tomorrow's game, +3,5/30,5 runs WSB 5/6. Sri Lanka is a far better prospect in the ODI's than the test. Must remember that they are World Cup finalist last year with a very similar line up. And if there is one ODI that will suite them it is tomorrow's one in Paarl, where the wicket is normally a bit low and slow. Ideal conditions for them. Believe that Malinga will make a major difference tomorrow, and giving Mendis a start on this wicket will also do wonders. They have really improved since the first test, and hopefully can give SA a run for their money tomorrow.

Going to have a go at the following:

Top SA batsman for the series AB de Villiers

AB has been the most consistent batsman in SA at the moment. Top the chart for the test series and expect this to continue. What really made up my mind is the fact that Malinga is playing for the Sri Lanka. This means the top order is in for a more difficult time than in the test series. Consider  the unpredictable form of Smith and Kallis, AB is deemed for some good batting time to steady the ship and rotate the strike, which is what he is good at. His stats also shows that he has a decent strike rate and good battle average.   

Top SA bowler series: D Steyn - nothing else to say here.

Top Sri Lanka bowler series: Malinga

Malinga had a really good series against Australia at downunder, but not so good against Pakistan. If Sri Lanka wants to have a chance of winning, Malinga has to be on top form, which I think will be the case.

All really good shout!

Good luck!

Fearless I also believe T&T have a strong team and will have a flutter on your most sixes bet as well. However you have to keep in mind that when a strong team plays a rather weak one there is the chance that T&T could for example only have to chase 110 odd and then they could play things safe and not hit a single six... In 20-20 cricket I don't think these odds will ever be less than 5/10 because of the above mentioned.

I went for Kallis as MoM so that runout will surely cost me!!

What a shocker from Sri Lanka, only thing in their favour now that I can think of is that were hammered in the first test and pulled a surprise in the second.

You should treat yourself to a trip to Trini Carnival with the profits you are rocking up on their six hitting Fearless 

Just on the same theme, I know 20 overs of Dilshan can torpedo this or if Proteas find themselves chasing a tiny total but SA to hit most sixes in the second ODI on Saturday (9/10 Voltbet) looks worth a go?

http://www.goodforthegame.co.za/cricket … eview.html

5 6's is the target for Proteas, not a big ground but a danger they may get on top and cruise

Two great hits by Amla but things not looking too rosy for us. Smith needs to have a go at the spinners and try and hit himself out of his rut- but in his scratchy form he probably can't even clear these short boundaries... Even if Smith does get out I think with SA ahead of the rate Kallis will just cruise to a nice "not out". We need AB to come in and look to finish things quickly!

Ahhhhh no Duminy coming in! Worst thing for us!

Third ODI, Bloem on Tuesday....preview below

http://www.goodforthegame.co.za/cricket … eview.html

Although JP Duminy's promotion to #4 might not have done our 6's bet any favours, it worked for SA. Bear in mind no Kallis and Amla here and the 5/1 for Dums to be top SA bat looks OK to me, especially if he comes in ahead of AB again. If that works I would kick myself for not including him in MoM at 16's as well. Also think Malinga to take over 1.5 wickets looks decent.

Well done Chirs on the over 1.5 wickets for Malinga! Time for AB to put in a massive performance. ALso really tempted to take SA now at 2.8. We all know Smith would be gone early, but can still rely on Peterson, AB or JP to have a good knock and it will turn out to be close. Remember there is no Fernado for SL today!

Couch, we still got hope here. As long as Malinga doesn't do much damage, they can just pick on the other bowlers to score the runs! If you have a price of 2.8 on a team like SA right now, you know it will hit at least 40% of the time.

Let's hope AB can have a Kaptain's knock!

Couch, this might be our day! D/L working my way for the first time!

I also got few units on South Africa when they were 29 for 2 and 2.8 at betX. Rain for once be good for the Proteas!!

Off!!!! Hope all your bookies pay you on that! Congrats on all the backers of their own country!

Goodork in play lads, you see the Duminy run out..? I thought someone had pressed the wrong button, couldn't believe they gave him out when you see the side on view

chancing my arm at a spreads play here - High Total Sixes @ 6. Feel it should be a good wicket for batsmen and with the series wrapped up there should hopefully be some free-hitting allowed more than usual. Sri Lankan batsmen hitting some form at last also helps.

Will revisit position at half-way point.

Not a very smart move form the bookies to offer SL at 3.5. The price even went to as high as 6. Now, just managed to hedge out my position to guarantee 2.5. Good business

Pretty unlucky for you Chris that De Villiers didnt get his 100.

A beautifull call on the sixes South!! 

shot lads, hit the max on the sixes with the last one that won the match.     But them gave almost half back on the rugby last night. 

Mackem stiff on AB, so unlucky. The cricinfo guys posted a stat after he fell - has been out in the nineties 8 times, which gives him a conversion of 90's to 100's of just 67%. Surprising as he always looks so confident.

I reckon we could be in for more big hitting on Sunday, but would like to see Albie back in side - SA tail looked a touch long for my liking.

Hi guys. Gone high on faf runs at 53 for 2 units and high on south africa runs at 260 for 3 units. Both taken in running.

D-TRUTH wrote:

D-TRUTH wrote:

Hi guys. Gone high on faf runs at 53 for 2 units and high on south africa runs at 260 for 3 units. Both taken in running.

faf cost me big getting out a few overs after placing bet. To recover some units gone high AB runs at 48 for 1.5 units.

What a way to end the series for me. SA runs finished with 156 unit profit and AB runs also yielded a good profit. Total cricket spreads returned over 200 units back.

Ya, south. Surely you also made some profit from this series?

Loving Kirsten for resting Kallis and Amla during the series! It really helped me to cash in the bet on de villiers top scorer!

Was at the game yesterday with the family and glad the kids could experience such a thrilling finish - not sure if it showed up on TV but there was a time when it looked like rain would intereven again - had a small nibble on Sri Lanka at 9/10 at that point as they were well clear on D/L.

The rain went and Sri Lanka nearly blew it and frankly I would not have minded losing the bet to see the crowd go mad. A seriously late night and a seriosly grumpy mom and kids this morning (we must have parked about 3km away as well)

Cheers for the coverage Mackem, Sri Lanka hopeless at times also had moments of brilliance and Proteas must be concerned at having 300 chased down twice in succession.