Day two at the Cricket World Cup highlighted just how wrong it is possible to be. In fact, in all my years of betting, I don't think I have ever been as completely wrong as I was yesterday. My daily bet was for Pakistan to beat West Indies, what a disaster. My thinking was that Pakistan had enjoyed the luxury of a five-game series in England for preparation. The West Indies would be caught cold, thrown into chilly English conditions, underprepared, they would be ripe for the beating against good quality opposition. What transpired what something very different.
Doh! Hands up if you saw that one coming?
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For the second time in this World Cup, it was pace that proved to be king. Just as Jofra Archer had roughed up South Africa on day 1, so the West Indies fast bowlers did a collective job on Pakistan yesterday morning at Trent Bridge. Bowled out for just 105, the game was up for Sarfaraz Ahmed's team before most people would have cracked open their first beer of the day. Jason Holder's side chased down their meagre target inside 14 overs but it was not all good news for the Windies. The sight of Chris Gayle limping the single that took him to 50 was not a pleasant one and question marks remain over a side containing so many twenty-over specialists. Pakistan may have been on the receiving end of a thrashing but only a fool would write them off. They got hammered by India in their 2017 Champions Trophy opener too... and look what happened there.
Cricket World Cup Betting
Both Australia and New Zealand are way too short to offer any value in their games against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka respectively so I'll take a punt in the top runscorer markets instead. Kane Williamson is a man that likes a big occasion for the Kiwis while David Warner is the ace in the Aussies pack.
I've split my two quid to cover both singles and the double and I only one to roll in for a small profit.
Starting pot: £50
Pending: £4
Winnings: £1.44
Balance: £45.44
