Dunno which games you've been to mate, but Bangladesh aside, the tests at the Basin are always well attended, and back when it hosted ODIs it was always mostly full (the stands never seemed to attract punters for some reason).whenever I have been to a test (or ODI for that matter) at the Basin it has been pretty empty, so it would be great if this was true.
It's been closed to the public for the whole week.Couldn't you just stay the night there? I remember two of my friends staying there for the night and watched the game the next day without a ticket. Or do they close it up for the tests?
Haven't been since 2001 maybe. ODI's always had a good turnout.Dunno which games you've been to mate, but Bangladesh aside, the tests at the Basin are always well attended, and back when it hosted ODIs it was always mostly full (the stands never seemed to attract punters for some reason).
Just on the betting front, I reckon a good bet would be New Zealand to win the series 1-0, paying $6.50, not bad odds IMO. Even 1-1 at $3.45 is reasonable.Well its completey understandable that Broad took Harmison's place (extra batting, Broads reliable if not spectacular bowling), but Hoggard? Anderson had an average domestic match here so why is he being rocketed to the team? Seems odd.
Oh well, better put some money on us while the Poms are still favourites at the TAB. Dropping Hoggsy was the clincher.
That's your mistake thinking a bookmaker balances a book based on probability and not weight of money. Two different books, the weight of money will be sitting differently I'd assume. I doubt one book has the options 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 1-2, 0-2, 0-1, 1-1, 0-0(S), "drawn series". Without looking at the TAB website, I'd guess there's two books - one on the scoreline and one on the series result; the weight of cash placed on the available outcomes on each book will dictate the favourite unless the bookmaker wants to end up out of pocket and out of a job.Have to wonder why a "drawn series" is paying $3.20 and a 1-1 scoreline is at $3.45 though....
Very true. But sadly, there are enough idiots out there that there'll still be some bets on the 'drawn series' outcome anyway. Doubt whether much money gets placed on cricket anyway as it happens.I see your point and there are two different betting options with the series result - one for the winner (including the drawn series) and one for the exact outcome. However anyone wanting to put money on a drawn series (remember it has to be 1-1 for that to occur) would be crazy not to choose the "1-1 scoreline", effectively earning an extra 25 cents for every dollar investment.
First morning Basin Reserve I'd back him to do OK. NZ 2nd innings though unless its rained and/or its humid as hell I don't expect much of him.Strange decision to drop Hoggard. Maybe he has said something behind the scenes and partly been left out because of that? Am not an Anderson fan - i think he is the bowlers equivalent of a flat-track bully. Put him on a helpful surface against some poor batsmen and he will do well. Put him in more testing conditions though and the scoreboard operators are in for a busy day. New Zealand's batsmen certainly took a liking to him in the one day series - unless it is a really good swing bowlers strip then i think he will struggle
If there was one player who I would say that was not the case, it would be Hoggy.Maybe he has said something behind the scenes and partly been left out because of that?
I was thinking more that either he might have suggested that other people's weren't or that he had a disagreement about preparation etc. I agree that he isnt someone who seems to say anything but just gets on with his job. I was just trying to come up with a possible reason for an odd omission.If there was one player who I would say that was not the case, it would be Hoggy.
Of all the England players, his committment, worh-ethic and attitide have always seemed top notch..
Tbf, Fraser was a bowler.Interesting observation by Angus Fraser in the Independent that it's always the batsmen who survive a cull in these situations.