Cricket Betting: If KP's so disruptive why do Delhi want to pay £880,000 to take him back?

"Sunrisers Hyderabad actually won the auction and forced Delhi to use a "right to match" mechanism to keep KP. If he is really that destructive, divisive and downright awkward then why were two teams ready to pay nearly a million pounds for the pleasure of him wrecking their dressing room too?"

Kevin Pietersen's new life as a global bat for hire has earned him a huge Indian Premier League payday after this morning's auction. Ralph Ellis says it is just another reminder that England should not have sacked him...

A week ago Kevin Pietersen was valued at precisely nought pounds by England. Nought pounds and nought pence, not for Test cricket, for One Day cricket, or even for Twenty20.

This morning, having already confirmed a new contract as a Surrey player, KP has been bought for £880,000 by the Delhi Daredevils for this year's Indian Premier League.

He's played for the Daredevils before, of course. And it didn't take long for him to be telling his Twitter followers how pleased he is to be going back. "So happy to be back with the Delhi family! Lovely start to the day" was the verdict.

Now I know you are always warned that the value of an investment can go down as well as up, but not even on the stock exchange can two prices vary so greatly for a share of the business which Pietersen's batting has become. So the question remains - how can somebody judged to be worthless by the mandarins at Lord's have a near million pound price tag put on his head elsewhere?

The answer is that it's the difference between sentiment and cold, hard cash. England have put having a happy dressing room above finding a way to accommodate a hugely talented but sometimes absurdly difficult personality. In the IPL, where money counts, they want the talent first and then it's the captain's problem to fit him into his dressing room. And they take the view that dressing rooms tend to be happier places automatically when you are winning.

All the leaks from Lord's in the last week have been about what a disruptive and nasty influence Pietersen can be. England will have a happy camp going to the ICC World Cup in March even if they are now eighth in the betting to win it at 13.012/1. Just to back up that argument there have been a succession of stories trotted out, going right back to when he first came to play county cricket and Nottinghamshire's captain Jason Gallian famously flung KP's kit from the dressing room balcony.

But it struck me that Delhi wanted him back. In fact Sunrisers Hyderabad, who had him in their side when they were called Deccan Chargers, also wanted him back. They actually won the auction and forced Delhi to use a "right to match" mechanism to keep KP. If he is really that destructive, divisive and downright awkward then why were two teams ready to pay nearly a million pounds for the pleasure of him wrecking their dressing room too?

It's easy to think there is money swilling around in India. Pietersen's contract was big but it was dwarfed by the £1.4million paid by Royal Challengers Bangalore to sign Yuvraj Singh. But have a look at some of the people who went unsold.

Ian Bell had put his name down to make a few quid. He wasn't being greedy, his reserve price was the lowest possible at just under £100,000. There were no takers. Alex Hales, who is one of the explosive limited overs batsmen considered a potential replacement to KP in the England set up, was available for a minimum of £180,000. Again, nobody paid up.

Some big foreign names went unsold too.  Australia's Cameron White wasn't wanted, and more surprisingly neither was Sri Lanka's imaginative Tillakaratne Dilshan. When the inventor of the 'Dilscoop' can't get a game in the world's most lucrative T20 competition, then what chance did Bell have anyway?

There are times when money talks, and cold hard cash says today that Kevin Pietersen remains one of the world's top T20 batsmen.

It's a shame that nobody at Lord's is listening.

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Cricket Betting: New Zealand no match for England's strength in depth

"England should be strong enough to overcome New Zealand in all three formats. The Black Caps won the limited overs series in South Africa, but it was against a side weakened at times by suspension and injury, neither of which are concerns for England."

England's cricket team have arrived in Auckland ahead of their series against New Zealand. Richard O'Hagan takes a look at the make-up of the squads and at how the tour might pan out.

If you want some insight into the craziness of the international cricket schedule, consider this: England have just played a one day series in India while New Zealand finished a similar series in South Africa on Friday. Now both have trekked all of the way down to the Land of the Long White Cloud to face each other. That's a lot of air miles.

There were few surprises in the squads announced by England. Stuart Broad is restored to full fitness and to all three squads. Graeme Swann, Jonny Bairstow and Jonathan Trott come back after their breaks from the one day game. Eoin Morgan and Samit Patel having both failed in the number six slot in the Test side, and Joe Root having been a success there, it was obvious who was going to be picked and who wasn't.

There are a couple of interesting tweaks, though. Chris Woakes replaces Tim Bresnan, whose Test bowling average since elbow surgery a year ago is now over 55 and who, it has been decided, will remain in England to have the problem looked at again. Craig Kieswetter finally loses hold of the one day wicket-keeping spot, not to Matt Prior but to Jos Buttler. New Zealand will see that as an area of potential weakness, because Buttler's record in both ODIs and T20Is is inferior to Kieswetter's in every way. 

The most interesting change came two days after the squads were announced, when left arm spinner Danny Briggs had to pull out of the tour with injury. Rather than bring in another specialist spinner, the selectors simply added Root to the T20 squad, relying upon his developing off-spin despite his failure to take a wicket in India. Spin will play less of a role in New Zealand but the extra batting strength that Root will also provide might make it hard for the likes of Bairstow to find their way back into the matchday 11.

Even with these changes England should be strong enough to overcome New Zealand in all three formats. The Black Caps won the limited overs series in South Africa, but it was against a side weakened at times by suspension and injury, neither of which are concerns for England. They may well scrape one of the three games, which makes a 2-1 England win at around 3.02/1 look the best bet. 

In the Test series they looked horribly out of their depth, will again be missing former captain Daniel Vettori and at 3.02/1 a 3-0 series win for England looks a good bet indeed.

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Back England at around 3.02/1 to win the ODI series 2-1

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Both Test cricket and the IPL have their merits

Bat and ball / Frank Gregan / 09 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Textbook stuff. Kraigg Brathwaite plays the forward defensive in style against Australia at the weekend.

"The ICC has to come out of denial and accept that there are three formats that need to be fitted sensibly into the international calendar without the aid of a shoehorn."

There's as much to be said about a controlled, patient fifty in Test cricket as there is in an explosive cameo in T20. All forms of cricket have their place in the game and unique skills. The ICC just has to do make room for it all, says Frank Gregan.

Last week there was so much cricket going on around the world that bat versus ball hogged the majority of the allocated chin-wag time with the 'grumpy corner' in our local. The club is a mini-society and like every society, it has its guilty secrets and it was my turn to get caught out as we reviewed the week.

"What about that performance by that West Indian batsman, what's his name?" asked one of the regulars.

"Dwayne Bravo, Chennai Super Kings, you're on about his unbeaten knock of 43 from 18 balls against Deccan;" I replied, somewhat too smugly. Cue the tumbleweed and the embarrassed shuffling of feet. The tone of the conversation had been lowered with talk of the cricketing equivalent of pornography, the Indian Premier League.

It turns out that the innings the grumpy member was referring to was that of teenager Kraigg Brathwaite who showed maturity beyond his years whilst stubbornly amassing a total of 57 from 199 deliveries and frustrating the Australian bowlers. His innings was a polar opposite to that of his fellow West Indian, a slow- motion grind compared to the chaotic and glitzy cameo of Bravo's, that included a six off a leading edge. Bravo is in India courtesy of a No Objection Certificate issued by the WICB. NOCs are a controversial subject in the Caribbean.

The West Indian's participation in the IPL turned the conversation around to an oft-debated subject; is there too much cricket being played on too many fronts and in particular, is the twenty over format nothing more than a dumbed down loss leader invented for those who don't appreciate the 'real game?'

The shortest format of the game was introduced to attract the 'beer after work crowd.' What better way to spend a warm (well 14 degrees!) English summer evening than chilling out and watching the local first class team in action in a game that produces a result in three hours?

It worked, it attracted people into grounds that had never seen live cricket before and because of the volume of exciting finishes, thousands of new supporters were hooked.

From its humble beginnings the twenty over game has kicked on, shrugged off the ridicule and established itself as a format that is here to stay. Those who continue to reject it are showing more stubbornness than Kraigg Brathwaite at the crease. What is there not to like about it? There is a default answer to that question, mumbled as the speaker fiddles with his tie and swirls the ice in his gin and tonic, "it just isn't cricket:"

If one had to choose between the various formats it would be a tough choice. Test cricket is the Daddy, the supreme contest between bat and ball offering five days of intrigue. ODIs have their place although the longer series with dead rubbers quickly lose their appeal. And then we have the shortest format which looks like a fast forwarded ODI with bells and whistles and all the boring bits edited out.

It's a bit of a no-brainer. If one had to choose, Test cricket would be the choice but that's the beauty of it - we don't have to choose because there is room for all the formats. What has to happen is the ICC has to come out of denial and accept that there are three formats that need to be fitted sensibly into the international calendar without the aid of a shoehorn. The days of five Test series and seven match ODIs may have to be consigned to history in order not to saturate the market and water down the quality of the product.

The ICC World Twenty20 takes place in September and the market is beginning to take shape.

There's always value to be had in these major events by starting to build the portfolio early and already Betfairians have managed to match the West Indies at [19.0]. It's safe to say that those that have invested will be hoping that it's Bravo rather than Brathwaite that sets the target run-rate.

More has been writtten and said about Samit Patel's waistline than his bowling action or batting average. This obsession with being an athlete rather than a cricketer is a all a load of nonsense, says Frank Gregan....

England's Test series against Sri Lanka doesn't being until next week and they're already become embroiled in controversy. Frank Gregan discusses an unseemly incident that took place at the weekend......

Andrew Hughes pays tribute to India's record-setting batting genius...

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Rahul Dravid announces his retirement from Test cricket

Bat and ball / Jamie "The Pacman" Pacheco / 08 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Eyes on the ball. Rahul Dravid sweeps during his last-ever Test series against Australia.

"You also know a Test batsman is a bit special when in a game that relies so heavily on resolute defence, patience, stamina and concentration you get nicknamed “The Wall”. "

One of the greatest batsmen of all time has played his last-ever Test match and we won't be seeing Rahul Dravid in the international arena again. The game of cricket is all the poorer for it.

Rahul Dravid is set to announce his retirement from Test cricket after a career in the longest-format that spanned 15 years. You know you're talking about an exceptional player when you're the second-highest Test run scorer of all time in the longest format (behind only Sachin Tendulkar) with over 13,000 runs scored at an average of 52.31. You also know a Test batsman is a bit special when in a game that relies so heavily on resolute defence, patience, stamina and concentration you get nicknamed "The Wall". But in this age where the power of the internet rules supreme, it's perhaps the greatest compliment of all when news of your retirement causes the world's most influential cricket website - www.cricinfo.com - to crash. So many fans of the great man were desperate to read the details of the news that the site simply couldn't cope.

Dravid wasn't just a talent in the five-day game. He also scored over 10,000 runs in ODIs, though sadly his retirement from the 50-over game came before India finally managed to win the World Cup since he began his international career. Victory over Sri Lanka in the final was secured after a match-winning knock from skipper MS Dhoni in April 2011.

And if Dravid wil best be remembered for the sheer weight of runs he contributed to his country, we shouldn't forget that that he was also one of the greatest catchers to ever occupy the slip cordon and that he often also donned the wicket-keepers' gloves, particularly in limited-overs matches. And to cap it all off, 'The Wall' epitomised everything that was right about the game of cricket: honesty, integrity, fairplay, decency. He also had a spell as captain of the national side.

His retirement comes in the wake of a certain criticism that the older members of India's Test batting line-up prolonged their careers just a little too long. Gautam Gambhir, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag and Tendulkar are all also the wrong side of thirty and whereas they haven't lost any of their class or ability with the bat, their running between the wickets slowed down over the years and their athleticism in the field isn't what it once was. It was typical of Dravid to call time on his own career before he outstayed his welcome.

He will continue playing in the shortest format of the game - T20 - when the Indian Premier League resumes on the April 4 for at least one more season ; he's still contracted to the winners of the first-ever edition, the Rajasthan Royals.

But he certainly won't be turning up for India in the 50-over format at the Asia Cup, which begins on March 11 and where India are [2.56 ] to be crowned champions. But Tendulkar will be there, as he carries on his pursuit of his 100th international century. If he does get it, his own retirement may not be too far away.

It's now over a year since Sachin Tendulkar struck his 99th international century but the 100th is yet to come. And as the matches go by, the Little Master and his billion plus fans must be doubting whether it will...

Pakistan Cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq is receiving undeserved heat for his leadership of the team in the wake of poor ODI and Twenty20 performances - but the clamour for a showman uncovers poor judgement from media and fans alike, says Frank...

We all thought Ricky Ponting was dead and buried after losing the captaincy and a poor series in South Africa. But the Tasmanian is made of pretty stern stuff and England may not have seen the last of him with...

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West Indies Cricket: Gayle exlusion has kicked up a huge storm

Bat and ball / Frank Gregan / 02 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

World-beater and nightmare to have to manage, we give you the inimitable Chris Gayle

"Mr Hilaire is of course correct but the trouble is, they've been trying to make it work that way for the last 15 years. They been indulging the players to the detriment of West Indian cricket. If they are going to sort it out they have to bite the bullet and accept it's going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better. "

The West Indian Cricket Board has decided that enough is enough and that the likes of maverick trio Chris Gayle, Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan are no longer part of their short-term plans. But how did it get this bad to start with, asks Frank Gregan.

Jack the Lads, the loveable rogues that push the boundaries and test the patience of sporting coaches and authority are time and time again given the benefit of the doubt. Mainly because they are special athletes, but also because we all admire their cockiness.

I've heard some incredible excuses in dressing rooms throughout the years. It's no good using these excuses in a one-to-one interview, they have to be witnessed by team-mates. A footballer I was once working with didn't want to travel to an away game with the squad whilst suspended and argued without a shred of embarrassment that he couldn't fly on an internal UK flight because he couldn't provide photographic ID.

"My driving licence is the old paper one, no photo." he told the Boss.
"So what about your passport?" was the logical reply.

Quick as a flash and without a shred of embarrassment he produced a riposte even an eleven year schoolkid would have considered pathetic and inadequate, "The dog ate my passport!" It might have been a great laugh and it certainly lightened the mood in the dressing room but it was a line in the sand.

The coach could either stand his ground and rule authoritatively or he could choose the easy route and avoid a confrontation by giving the player the weekend off. He chose the latter and once again, Jack the Lad had been indulged and the boundaries pushed but much more importantly, a case of 'one rule for one and one rule for others' had been applied.

It seems that the West Indian Cricket Board who have been indulging their better players for ages have finally reached the end of their tether with their Jack the Lads. Chris Gayle is an exceptional talent and he has proven, particularly in the shorter versions of the game, that he can single-handedly win matches. But diplomacy and respect for authority have never been Gayle's strong suit and and he gives the impression that he can 'take it or leave it' as far as playing for the West Indies is concerned.

Gayle and two other former skippers, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwen, may just have met their match in WICB chief executive Ernest Hilaire, who seems to be ready to lock horns with the big names and the strong characters. Hilaire has let the West Indian supporters know the reasons why he thinks it's necessary.

"If you look at West Indies cricket since the mid 1990s a lot of the systems we had in place broke down. There's no discipline. There's no application. No one man is bigger than the team, no one man is such a superstar that he can decide if he is training today, if he is having treatment tomorrow, if he is going to attend a team meeting. It cannot work that way."

Mr Hilaire is of course correct but the trouble is, they've been trying to make it work that way for the last 15 years. They been indulging the players to the detriment of West Indian cricket. If they are going to sort it out they have to bite the bullet and accept it's going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better.

The role models of the new generation of West Indian cricketers have been thumbing their noses at authority for years, leading the current crop to believe it's the norm. Gayle, Chanderpaul and Sarwan's boots might take some filling but for the sake of West Indian cricket they need to be filled by players who put the team before themselves.

Chris Gayle showed the WICB what they were missing when he scored a superb ton on his return to the IPL with the Bangalore Royal Challengers. Gayle and his team-mates sit on the fringes of the top four in the IPL and are a tempting [7.0] to lift the trophy. As far as Ernest Hilaire and his board are concerned, Gayle's absence is a case of short term pain for long term gain. Let's hope the pain doesn't last another 15 years!

Three and a half years on from the Bradman v Tendulkar debate, Paul Moon lists the latest achievements and milestones of Sachin Tendulkar, a player who will never be equalled....

The Sri Lankan players who are scheduled to tour England have been told they need to leave their IPL teams behind sooner than they thought. Is this to prepare better for English conditions or is there something more sinister, asks...

There's been a glut of retirements following the end of the World Cup - some understandable, some not so in the eyes of Frank Gregan. But when young players start snubbing their national sides, it's time to ask, what's going...

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India are Cricket World Cup favourites after dramatic win

Sri Lanka / Maxliu / 30 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Tendulkar v Murali is the battle to relish in the World Cup Final

"India scored 260, a decent total on a tough pitch, and Pakistan always looked unlikely to reach that target."

Pakistan put up brave chase in thrilling semi-final but it's the Little Master and co. who will take on Sri Lanka in the final...

The match of the century - that's what today's Cricket World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan was billed as and in the end it was the hosts who prevailed.

India now trade as [1.66] favourites to win the tournament when they meet Sri Lanka [2.48] on Saturday.

MS Dhoni's men were backed at [2.28] midway through the contest after they struggled to build a on strong start. Sachin Tendulkar was their star man with a score of 85 but it could have been different if Pakistan had been sharper in the field.

India scored 260, a decent total on a tough pitch, and Pakistan always looked unlikely to reach that target. Misbah-Ul-Haq was their best batsman with 56 but they were all out for 231, 29 runs short.

The result means that we now have the mouthwatering prospect of seeing Sachin Tendulkar compete against Muttiah Muralitharan in what will undoubtedly be a terrific World Cup final this Saturday.

Let us know what you thought the semi-finals and who you think will win the final below...

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Cricket World Cup Results: Dilshan and Tharanga brilliance sinks England

World Cup Betting / Jamie "The Pacman" Pacheco / 26 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Dilshan looks up to the heavens on his way to a heavenly century

"The two openers did admittedly ride their luck on occasions during the first ten overs, especially Dilshan, but once they got set they cut, pulled, swept and drove with ease and England were never really in it for the whole of the second innings."

Sri Lanka are through to the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup after beating England comfortably this afternoon.

England's participation at the 2011 Cricket World Cup has been a highly entertaining one but it is now over after they were defeated by Sri Lanka in today's quarter-final.

During the Group Stages they were involved in virtually every exciting game the tournament witnessed including a thrilling tie against India, a loss from a winning position against Bangladesh and wins from seemingly doomed positions against both the West Indies and South Africa.

They actually got off to the best possible start today in that Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bat first on a wicket where chasing has been notoriously difficult in the past. But you would never have thought that was the case after watching Sri Lankan openers Upal Tharanga and Tillekaratne Dilshan both reach unbeaten hundreds as they chased down 229 to win by ten wickets. The two openers did admittedly ride their luck on occasions during the first ten overs, especially Dilshan, but once they got set they cut, pulled, swept and drove with ease and England were never really in it for the whole of the second innings.

Earlier Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell, who opened for the first time in the tournament, fell cheaply within the first ten overs and for the umpteenth time over the past three months it was left to Jonathan Trott to repair the damage and play a sensible innings. He found a fine partner in Eoin Morgan, who was dropped three times before reaching 50, but when the Irishman was eventually caught by Angelo Matthews England's hopes of accelerating the run rate in the last few overs went with him. Trott (86) did what he had to do and went in search of late boundaries but he eventually perished to Muttiah Muralitharan and despite a good cameo by Matt Prior, who scored 22 off 19, England posted a total of 229 which always looked at least 20 runs short. England traded at [2.04] when Morgan and Trott were going well.

Sri Lanka will now play New Zealand in the semi-finals and will go into that match as strong favourites. They trade at [2.98] for the tournament with only India shorter at [2.66].

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Cricket World Cup Betting: Bangladesh v England

World Cup Betting / Ed Hawkins / 10 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Ian Bell is likely to open with KP ruled out of the competition and can get England off to a solid start

"If the wicket is a road and Bangladesh are nervous about another humiliation, then all the ingredients are there for Bell to look a million bucks. He is [2.2] to score a 50."

A few days ago we would have fancied Bangladesh to beat England on home soil in their favoured conditions. That's no longer the case now and the best bet may be to side with Ian Bell to shine, says Ed Hawkins.

Team news

It is difficult not to feel sorry for England. They have produced tremendous entertainment through a mixture of brilliant and schoolboy cricket despite being totally ravaged by physical and mental fatigue. Their campaign looks doomed.

Kevin Pietersen and Stuart Broad, two of their best players, are out of the tournament. Eoin Morgan, who is without match practice, comes in while Christ Tremlett is a like-for-like replacement with the ball for Broad. Ian Bell is expected to open in KP's absence.

Bangladesh skip Shakib Al-Hasan hinted his side may be unchanged after last week's harrowing loss to West Indies. But it would be no surprise if Mohammad Ashraful gave way to Mahmudullah.

Venue and conditions

There have been only nine games played at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in Chittagong. And the good news for England, if they worry about getting strangled batting second in a chase, is that six have been won by the side fielding first.

Ian Ward, the Sky Sports pundit and who is very close to the England team, called the surface a bowler's graveyard. That isn't backed up by a first-innings average of 202 and there have been some very low scores - 44 by Zimbabwe v Bangladesh 2009, for example. England made 284-5 batting first there in 2010, though and if they get first use make sure you should check prices or 275 or more.

Match odds

We lost faith in Bangladesh when they were bowled out for 58 against West Indies and had we been in Dhaka, we'd have thrown stones, too.

Although we'd have hit the right team bus. Shakib has promised it won't happen again (the performance). But he hasn't promised victory. Bangladesh, who beat England in Bristol last year, are [4.90] and that is too short for a side unable to cope with the pressure from a whole nation. We want [6.00] to consider backing them. Yes, England are vulnerable after injuries and yes they are vulnerable to the army of
spinners, but the price just isn't right. Sorry.

Top batsman - Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh fav at [4.00], made a duck when the sides last met on this ground. Shakib, at [6.00], may be a better wager.

Top batsman - England

We like the look off the openers Andrew Strauss and Bell. Strauss, at [4.00] and Bell at [5.00] could set the tone. Morgan, who made a fine ton in Dhaka against the opposition last March, is [7.00].

Featured market

If the wicket is a road and Bangladesh are nervous about another humiliation, then all the ingredients are there for Bell to look a million bucks. He is [2.2] to score a 50.

Best bet: Ian Bell to score 50 at [2.2]

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Cricket World Cup Betting: West Indies v Ireland

World Cup Betting / Ed Hawkins / 10 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

William Porterfield and Niall O'Brien are key players for Ireland with the bat

"Ireland are a bit of an obvious pick at [6.00] for this contest. They have to win to keep their qualification hopes alive but the injury to Johnston and the importance of the toss makes us less confident. The Irish will become value, however, if they bat first."

We've seen what Ireland can do already in this competition and they're more than capable of springing another upset here against an ever-vulnerable West Indies side. Even despite a couple of setbacks that have marred the Irish preparations...

Ireland are perspiring over the fitness of key allrounder Trent Johnston. The 36-year-old picked up a knee injury in the defeat to India on Sunday.

"He bowled a couple of overs in the nets today. He ran in hard as well. We will wait and see how he reacts," captain Will Porterfield said of Johnston, who is their leading bowler with six wickets.

Johnston's place could go to Andre Botha or Gary Wilson. West Indies captain Darren Sammy said the dramatic Dhaka stoning of their team bus - after they humiliated hosts Bangladesh - and the bitter war of words which followed, has strengthened the squad's World Cup bonds.

Venue and conditions

There has been only one game played at the PCA stadium, Mohali so far: South Africa's 231-run hammering of Holland. We can't garner much from that so it is necessary to delve into the collection of past scorecards. The first trend to mention is that batting last is tough. There have been two successful chases in the last eight and three in
the last 10. The average first-innings score in the last 10 is 274.

Match odds

Ireland are a bit of an obvious pick at [6.00] for this contest. They have to win to keep their qualification hopes alive but the injury to Johnston and the importance of the toss makes us less confident. The Irish will become value, however, if they bat first. They have the bowlers capable of causing panic in a West Indies dressing room who
have yet to be tested in the competition, bar the thrashing they were handed when up against South Africa in their opening match.

Top batsman - Ireland

Niall O'Brien, the pugnacious wicketkeeper, had his bats go missing so will have to borrow someone else's. He is [5.50]. Ed Joyce, at [5.70] has disappointed while Porterfield looks bad value at [5.00]. Kevin O'Brien is [6.40].

Top batsman - West Indies

Chris Gayle is terribly short at [4.00] so, as ever, Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan make greater appeal at [7.00] and [6.00] respectively.

Featured market

If Ireland do pin down West Indies - and they managed to do that against India - then Chanderpaul will relish it. He looks a good bet for 50 at [2.00].

Best bet: back Ireland at [6.00] if they bat first

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West Indies Cricket Team: Relaxed but focussed

West Indies / Frank Gregan / 07 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Too cool for school. Benn is a fine spinner

"There's nothing wrong with that, in fact quite the opposite is true. A relaxed and ‘chilled out’ lifestyle where one works to live rather than lives to work has to be conducive to healthy mental well being. But as far as sport is concerned, in order to be the best, the very best, apathy has to be replaced with obsession."

They may be the kings of cool and the greatest exponents of the laid-back cricketer but this West Indies team means business and could prove to be dangerous opponents.

One of my mates is a bit of a military legend. He's probably the only bloke that's been kicked out of the SAS - for fighting! Seriously, you couldn't make it up, the Regiment frowned upon a bar room brawl in America and returned him to his parent unit.

Such is his popularity that even though he elected to marry at the same time that England played their opening game of the 2006 football World Cup finals, his friends made the trek to Newcastle from the four corners of the earth to witness him getting hitched.

Another one of my pals had returned to his native Jamaica (he held dual citizenship) after his days in the Army ended but he flew in to be at the gig. We were Brothers in Arms as members of a four man team on an operational tour during which we were together pretty much round the clock every day of the week. I know him better than my siblings and have a great affection for him.

The night before the wedding we all met in the hotel bar and re-fought battles as we put the world to rights. There was tremendous excitement and anticipation about the following day - all except for my Jamaican buddy who confessed to me he could "take it or leave it."

He'd made a 10,000 mile round trip to be there but wasn't in the least bit excited about the event or meeting mates that he hadn't seen for over a decade. His attitude was typical Caribbean, relaxed and unfazed by everything going on around him. This sounds like I'm stereotyping all of the people from the islands that make up the cricketing union of the West Indies. But I guess I am because everyone, and I've met loads through the Army and sport, that I've come across from that region are so laid back they are horizontal!

There's nothing wrong with that, in fact quite the opposite is true. A relaxed and 'chilled out' lifestyle where one works to live rather than lives to work has to be conducive to healthy mental well being. But as far as sport is concerned, in order to be the best, the very best, apathy has to be replaced with obsession.

You don't get to be top of your profession by not applying yourself 100%. Brian Lara and Sir Viv Richards were just that, the very best of their generation and there's a whole host of other great West Indian cricketers who have left their mark on the game. Giants of international cricket such as Gordon Greenidge, Clive Lloyd, Malcolm Marshall, Wes Hall and Sir Garfield Sobers who were all great cricketers but also tenacious competitors. They made use of every ounce of their talent.

Many pundits believe that the same can't be said about this crop of West Indian cricketers. They've got undoubted ability but their application leaves a lot to be desired. They've been underachieving for the last couple of years and the players seem unperturbed by the situation.

They now have a great opportunity to earn a place in history by winning this World Cup and it would be a classic case of coming good at exactly the right time if they manage to pull it off. They lost their opening fixture when they were comprehensively beaten by the South Africans but since then they've walloped the Dutch and hammered Bangladesh without breaking sweat during a game in which many believed there would be an upset.

As a consequence they have been backed into [23.0] to win the tournament from a high of [38.0]. That's a very big price for a team that can sometimes afford to have Shivnarine Chanderpaul coming into bat at number seven but no doubt many Betfairians have been put off by the West Indian laid back approach.

So do the West Indies really want to win this trophy? You bet they do. Don't be put off by the chilled, cool, "do I look good in these sunglasses" persona. It's all a front. Unless you care, you don't travel 10,000 miles to go to a wedding and you definitely don't get to play international cricket for the West Indies.

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Cricket Betting: In-play drama as 74/1 England bounce back

England / Maxliu / 06 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Stuart Broad is mobbed after taking the wicket of Morne Morkel

"England turned water into wine with a miraculous win and Betfair punters who kept the faith and backed them as high as 74-1 in running will raise a glass to them now.”

South Africa become latest [1.01] losers as England's bowlers blow away Proteas in low-scoring World Cup thriller...

What is it with this Cricket World Cup? England backers had their nerves shredded once again on Sunday morning but this time there was a happy ending as the Three Lions fought back to beat South Africa.

On Wednesday, Andrew Strauss' men were backed at the minimum price of [1.01] on Betfair when losing to [400.00] Ireland. This morning in Chennai, South Africa repeated the unwanted betting feat, capitulating when they looked to have victory sewn up.

England drifted to [75.0] when South Africa were 63-0 in reply to their modest total of 171, with the Proteas backed at [1.01] (punters willing to risk £100 to win £1). But England dug in when looking down and out, and again at 124-3 and 160-7, to claim a massive victory that gets their World Cup bid back on track.

Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin commented: "Ireland were backed at 399-1 in running on Betfair when beating England on Wednesday.

"But it was England turning water into wine this morning with a miraculous win of their own, and I trust the Betfair punters who kept the faith and backed them as high as 74-1 in running are raising a glass to them now."

After the win, England are now [9.6] to win the World Cup while South Africa remain second favourites at [5.8].

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Cricket World Cup Betting: England v South Africa

Match Previews / Andrew Hughes / 05 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Botha could be back for the Proteas

"If England lose here, they will be playing knock-out cricket much sooner in the tournament than they’d hoped."

Wednesday's shock defeat to Ireland has thrown England's plans into chaos. Can they get back on track against the formidable looking South Africans?

London Start Time: 04:00

Venue and Conditions
This venue's previous game in Chennai was a non-event as New Zealand crushed Kenya, but the pitch appeared to conform to type, being slow, low and offering nothing for the quicker bowlers. Spinners will have more joy here, but it is essentially a very good track to bat on.

Team News
Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann and Paul Collingwood sat out Friday's training session but are expected to be fit for Sunday, although Collingwood may miss out if Ravi Bopara is given his chance. And given his poor performances so far this tournament, James Anderson may be replaced by Ajmal Shahzad.

South Africa's only problem is whether to go with three pace bowlers, three specialist spinners or an extra batsman. On a pitch that should offer some turn, the likely call is for Johan Botha to return at the expense of Morne van Wyk.

Match Odds
If England lose here, they will be playing knock-out cricket much sooner in the tournament than they'd hoped. Two wins from three is the equation and at the moment, it is anyone's guess whether they have it in them to get to the last eight. The general trend under Andy Flower has been continual improvement, but they were woeful in the field against Ireland and can't afford to put in another shocker.

If you wanted to make the case for an England win, you would point out that they have tend to be at their peak against better teams and have a good record against Sunday's opponents. But the addition of Imran Tahir has made South Africa just about the complete team. On paper, they outgun England in every department and they are justifiably [1.56] favourites to wrap up a quarter-final place.

Top Batsman
For England, either of the in-form Jonathan Trott at [5.0] or Andrew Strauss at [4.3] would be sensible picks while for South Africa, A B De Villiers [5.0] is in equally fine touch and hit a half-century last time he played here.

Featured Market
Jacques Kallis has yet to get going in this World Cup and for the moment we can side with Trott at [1.8] or better in the 'Trott v Kallis' market

Best Bet

South Africa to beat England at [1.56]

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Cricket World Cup Betting: India v Ireland

Match Previews / Andrew Hughes / 05 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

The other O'Brien brother in action

"The way that Kevin O’Brien demolished the English on this very pitch would not have been pleasant viewing for one or two of the Indian bowlers..."

Having frightened Bangladesh and toppled England, the Irish have flown the flag for the Associate nations. Can they go one better and beat the tournament favourites?

London Start Time: 09:00

Venue and Conditions
Not a venue that many bowlers will regard with affection, Bangalore features a flat surface which offers no assistance whatsoever and a lightning fast outfield. In two games here in this tournament, England nearly overhauled 338 and Ireland reached 327 comfortably, so any score of less than 340 will be vulnerable.

Team News
Virender Sehwag has been treated for a minor rib problem in Delhi but isn't considered a serious doubt. India's bowling has looked weak so far, but will they be bold enough to play a fifth specialist bowler, in the form of Ashish Nehra, putting extra pressure on their batsmen? Ireland will almost certainly be unchanged.

Match Odds
Ireland's stunning success on Wednesday renders this game more meaningful and will have ensured that India do not take their opponents lightly. The way that Kevin O'Brien demolished the English on this very pitch would not have been pleasant viewing for one or two of the Indian bowlers and there is no doubt that all of the pressure going into this game is on the home side.

But can the Irish pull off an even bigger shock? It would be quite a spectacle, but cricket punters shouldn't believe in fairy tales and realistically, there is very little chance of an Irish win in Bangalore. India's batsmen will have far too much power and could well post a score in the high 300s against some ordinary bowling. Ireland will fight hard, but class will out and that's why India are [1.04] favourites.

Top Batsman
Yuvraj Singh looked good against England and now that he's found his range, he could be worth backing at [9.0] to be India's top batsman. Kevin O'Brien will be full of confidence, but for top Irish batsman, his brother Niall at [5.5] is a more attractive proposition.

Featured Market
There have been three centuries in two games at this venue so far so we are on fairly safe ground by recommending backing 'Over 82.5' in the Highest Individual Score market at [1.75] or better.

Best Bet:

Yuvraj Singh to top score for India at [9.0]

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Cricket World Cup Results: Ireland matched at 400 before shock win

World Cup Betting / Jamie "The Pacman" Pacheco / 02 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Kevin O'Brien almost single-handedly won the game for Ireland

"Things were hardly looking that bright when Ireland were 111-5 either and England traded at 1.01 for £2.7 million, 1.02 for £2.18 million and plenty of other huge sums at prohibitively short prices."

The first upset of this World Cup took place this afternoon and it was England who found themselves on the wrong end of it...

Ireland caused arguably the greatest Cricket World Cup upset of all time this afternoon when they beat England after being matched at [400.0] In-Play. It's not the first-time that a so-called minnow beats a Test side at a World Cup but it was the manner of the defeat that was such a surprise.

The 327 that England posted courtesy of good contributions from Jonathan Trott (92) and Ian Bell (81) would have probably been good enough to beat the very best sides in the world and Ireland got off to the worst possible start when skipper William Porterfield departed for a duck. Things were hardly looking that bright when Ireland were 111-5 either and England traded at [1.01] for £2.7 million, [1.02] for £2.18 million and plenty of other huge sums at prohibitively short prices. But up stepped Nottinghamshire big-hitter Kevin O'Brien who with nothing to lose decided that playing the remaining 28 overs like the back end of a T20 match was the way to go.

It worked and as the burly right-hander continued to strike boundaries the Ireland price contracted, though it was only really in the last fifth of the innings that Ireland went favourites when needing just over a run a ball. There was late drama when O'Brien was run out for 113 off just 63 balls with Ireland still needing 12 at which point their price went out to [1.46]. But two late boundaries saw them over the line and short-odds on backers were left cursing their bad luck and the famous luck of the Irish who made the most of dropped catches and generally poor fielding.

England are still expected to qualify for the quarter-finals but the 1.02 on them making the next round has become [1.46] whilst Ireland are rated a [5.0] chance from 46 at the start of the game. England's performance has unsurprisingly made the layers on the winner market have a re-think and they've been eased to 14.5 to win the competition for the first time. India at [4.1] and South Africa at [5.3] head the market.

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Cricket World Cup Betting: West Indies v Netherlands

Match Previews / Andrew Hughes / 27 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Gayle has the ammunition

"But though they gave England a hard workout and in Ryan ten Doeschate, have a world class one day batsmen, the Nethelands’ bowling is dangerously weak..."

The West Indies have suffered a huge blow with the loss of Dwayne Bravo and now they face a stiff test against a battling Netherlands side.

London Start Time: 09:00

Venue and Conditions
The Feroz Shah Kotla had an unfortunate reputation to live down but in the first game here on Thursday the relaid wicket was a fair one and remained true throughout. Even so, this is not exactly a batting paradise and 250 is likely to be a good score. Fielding second might be tricky too as the temperature drops and the dew accumulates

Team News
In the absence of Bravo, West Indies can either slot in batsman Kirk Edwards or play an extra bowler and move everyone else up a place, although this would mean exposing Keiron Pollard or Darren Sammy at six.

Netherlands have no injury worries and they won't want to tinker with a batting line-up that caused England problems. If they want to freshen up a tame bowling attack, they could call on a second specialist spinner in Adeel Raja.

Match Odds
The Netherlands will feel this is their best chance of knocking over one of the Test playing nations. The West Indies, never high on confidence, have lost their vice captain, leader on the field and most reliable one day bowler in Dwayne Bravo. At times against South Africa, they looked a shambles. So odds of [7.0] about a Netherlands win might look appealing.

But though they gave England a hard workout and in betting.betfair columnist Ryan ten Doeschate, have a world class one day batsmen, the Netherlands' bowling is dangerously weak and the likes of Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul can take full advantage. With the Windies having had vital experience of playing on this track, I suspect we may have to wait a while for the first shock of World Cup 2011.

Top Batsman
The Netherlands medium pace attack should suit Chris Gayle down to the ground and he is the solid selection to top score at [3.75] or better.

For Holland, all of the batsmen got starts against England and I liked the look of aggressive opener Wesley Barresi who can be backed at [6.5].

Featured Market
Chris Gayle is due a big performance and we should side with him in preference to his younger teamate in the 'Da(rren) Bravo v Gayle' market at [1.75] or better.

Best Bet

Chris Gayle to top score for West Indies at [3.75]

Betfair website

Cricket World Cup Betting: Canada v Zimbabwe

Match Previews / Andrew Hughes / 27 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Back Brendan to top score

"Brendon Taylor is the classiest bat in the Zimbabwe line-up and though he struggled against Australia’s pace bowlers, Canada’s medium pace dobblers should be much more to his liking."

Both these teams were thrashed in their opening fixtures but this is a chance for two of the Group A minnows to get a win on the board

London Start Time: 04:00
Venue and Conditions
A slow but true pitch and a fast outfield had characterised the three ODIs played at this ground, including England's win over Netherlands last week. So Friday's low scoring affair between Australia and New Zealand was a slight surprise, as was the variable bounce. That said, even if the pitch is wearing a little, neither of these sides have the quick bowlers to exploit it in the way that Australia did.

Team News
Canada opted to protect their talented youngsters Hiral Patel and Nitish Kumar for their opening game against Sri Lanka, but after a woeful batting performance, both are likely to get their chance here. Zimbabwe will probably be unchanged, though they may consider bringing all-rounder Greg Lamb for Regis Chakabva.

Match Odds
This is an intriguing match-up between two improving Associate teams. Though both were blown away by top class seam and pace bowling in their opening games, it has to be remembered that they were up against two of the tournament favourites. Canada do have one or two exciting young batsmen and could cause a surprise here, but at [1.23] I'm going to side with Zimbabwe, who have the stronger bowling and who put in a sparkling fielding performance against Australia.

Top Batsman
Rizwan Cheema caught the headlines pre-tournament with his innings against England and top scored against Sri Lanka, but the reliable selection in the Canadian line up is dependable accumulator Ashish Bagai, who can be backed at [5.5]

Brendan Taylor is the classiest bat in the Zimbabwe line-up and though he struggled against Australia's pace bowlers, Canada's medium pace dobblers should be much more to his liking. He should be backed at [4.0] or better

Featured Market
The average number of fours in ODIs at this ground is 50 so you should consider backing '50 or more' in the Total Fours market at [2.25] or better

Best Bet

Back Brendan Taylor to top score for Zimbabwe at [4.0]

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Cricket World Cup: Extras - read all about it!

Wonderful World Cup / Frank Gregan / 22 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Individual errors can cost matches

"The New Zealand bowling attack went through the Kenyan batting like a dodgy chicken bhuna in the tournament's second match."

Mashed fruit, dodgy chicken bhunas - Frank Gregan knows his googlies from his doosras but it's another type of ball that could make all the difference at the World Cup.

With the World Cup still in its infancy one thing is clear, the most consistent scorer in the One Day game has lost none of its potency. Extras (and I'm not talking about the weird looking folk that stand in the background of the Rovers Return eating Betty's Hotpot) could determine the outcome of the 'too tough to call' matches. Just one bad over resulting in an extra two or three balls being bowled and a couple of extra boundaries can change a game.

We got a glimpse of it during the first match on Saturday when Bangladesh were chasing a massive total of 371 to win. This wasn't a close contest, the Bangladesh openers went out to the middle knowing that they needed snookers but were given a ray of hope during an over by Sreesanth. During his third over, the fifth of the innings, the Indian pace bowler showed all the accuracy and control of an 18 month old toddler flicking mashed fruit off the end of a plastic spoon! He ended up bowling eight balls as a consequence of a wide and a no ball and to add insult to injury the wide evaded the diving grasp of his wicket keeper and ended up costing his team five runs whilst the total for the over was 24!

The following day the New Zealand bowling attack went through the Kenyan batting like a dodgy chicken bhuna in the tournament's second match. Sixty-nine all out was the African's miserable score, but ten of those runs, nearly 15% of their total came in extras. The Kenyans were only out in the middle for 23.5 overs so the maths is easy enough to do. Had Kenya been there for their full 50 overs the Kiwis would have surrendered 21 runs against very poor quality opposition. Let's face it, most of the Kenyan batsmen would be delighted to make 20.

One of the clichés that people who coach team sports often use is 'there's no I in team!' The collective is always more important than the individual but individual errors can be the difference between winning and losing. If a team loses a game that goes down to the wire and a bowler has gifted his opponents a dozen extras and subsequent additional runs off the bat then that bowler has cost his team dearly.

Is it indiscipline? Is it not a case of having to vary the line so that the batsman is kept guessing and the extras, in particular the leg byes and the wides are just the price of doing business?

That's always the counter argument but watch the great quicks during the last couple of overs of a game. It's full on concentration, line and length searching out the block hole with middle and leg being as far as they dare stray. If they foul and send it down the leg-side they are distraught, if they do the same thing in the middle of the innings they shrug their shoulders and have a giggle with the umpire on their way back to their mark.

Of course it's indiscipline but how do we punish it? The Free Hit ? The signal is enough to put people off the game. The image of Billy Bowden doing the twirling, helicopter finger action whilst looking like an stick-thin, un-co-ordinated John Travolta is not a pretty sight. Besides, there are many English supporters who believe that a Free Hit is any ball delivered by an Aussie spinner. Sure seems that way since the retirement of Shane Warne!

Goodness knows what the answer is but one thing's for sure, any of the leading contenders that can half the number of extras it concedes will give themselves an edge. England get their campaign underway tomorrow against Holland and the [1.04] available on them suggests they are expected to win easily. Winning the competition will prove much more difficult but at [10.5] they are worth supporting. They must surely get shorter as the competition progresses. And should they win it - well that would just be extra-special!

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Cricket World Cup Betting: Australia v Zimbabwe

Match Previews / Ed Hawkins / 20 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Shane Watson could be a good bet for 50

"Of the 11 instances of associate nations beating Test-ranked sides at
World Cups, nine occurred when the underdogs were defending"

Ed Hawkins would like to back the Zimbabweans for glory in Ahmedabad on Monday but a more cautious approach is advised

London start time: 09.00

Team news
Ricky Ponting plays his first game after recovering from a broken finger while Steve Smith is also fit following a hip problem. Jason Krejza will be the main spinner, though and Australia must decide whether Shaun Tait or Doug Bollinger claims the final fast-bowling spot.

Seam bowler Ed Rainsford was injured in Zimbabwe's final warm-up match - a four-wicket loss to Ireland - meaning Tinashe Panyangara has a chance to come into the XI.

Venue and conditions
The average first-innings total in the last 10 ODIs at Ahmedabad's Sardar Patel stadium is a massive 282. Six sides have passed 300 or more in those matches. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 85 there against West Indies in 2006 and 141 against Sri Lanka just a few weeks later. If Australia bat first, check prices for them to breach 300.

Match odds
Australia have a weakness against spin bowling it would appear. In their warm-up matches against India and South Africa they have been strangled by the spinners and on the face of it, Zimbabwe look capable of tying them in knots, too. The slow-bowling of Prosper Utseya, Ray Price and Graeme Cremer could be a potential threat.

But what stops us supporting Zimbabwe at [21.00] outright - Australia are [1.04] - is that the pitch doesn't appear to suit spin. Of the top 10 wicket-takers in the last 10 ODIs, only three are twirlers. And the surface looks so good for batting that it seems hard to see Australia getting bogged down, especially with Shane Watson so dangerous at the top of the order.

The best advice is to back Zimbabwe only if they bat first because they should be capable of runs. Once the market recognises they are no mugs with the bat, a back-to-lay should present itself.

Of the 11 instances of associate nations beating Test-ranked sides at World Cups, nine occurred when the underdogs were defending

Top batsman - Australia
Runs have come at the top of the order in matches at this ground so Watson is an understandable favourite at [3.15]. You can also back him for a 50 at [2.00]. He has had 16 scores between 30 and 70 in the 27 matches he has played in the past 13 months. Ponting is [5.00] for top bat and [1.90] for a 50.

Top batsman - Zimbabwe
Brendan Taylor is head and shoulders above the rest of his batting teammates in terms of talent. In the last 12 months he has 723 runs. Tatendu Taibu, his nearest rival, has 574. Taylor is [4.00] for honours while one would expect Taibu to be a little bigger than [4.70] given the statistics. Taylor is [2.40] for a 50.

Featured market
There have been four centuries in the last two matches and in an immature market you can get [1.70] about a fifth.
Best bets: back-to-lay Zimbabwe if they bat first at around [18.00], back S Watson for a 50 at [2.00]

Betfair website

Cricket World Cup Betting: Kenya v New Zealand

Match Previews / Ed Hawkins / 19 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Daniel Vettori leads the Kiwis

"Back Kenya at the odds in the anticipation they get a foothold and lay off for three or more points"

Ed Hawkins reckons the Kiwis will not have it all their own way against Kenya when the sides meet in Chennai early on Sunday

London start time: 04.00

Team news
New Zealand's preparation for their opening match have been hampered by the potential loss of offspinner Nathan McCullum. He has been in hospital with a high fever.

McCullum will be a big loss to the Kiwis. He has established himself as the second spinner behind Daniel Vettori. Luke Woodcock, a left-arm spinner with only two ODIs to his name, is the probable replacement.

Kenya look to have been in decent touch in the warm-ups. They beat Afghanistan, Ireland, looked capable against West Indies before losing
to Netherlands by two wickets. Veteran Steve Tikolo smashed a ton versus Afghanistan.

Venue and conditions
There have been five ODIs completed at the Chidambaram stadium in Chennai since 2000. During that period the average first-innings score is 251. New Zealand, however, were bowled out for just 103 there against India at the end of last year. Seven of the wickets fell to spinners.

This should favour Vettori, although Kenya's Shem Ngoche, a slow left-armer, has a good economy rate in the last 12 months while offie Jimmy Kamande took three wickets in the warm-up against Afghanistan.

Match odds
New Zealand are [1.08] to get their campaign off to a good start. Kenya are [11.00]. It doesn't take a genius to work out the Kiwis are the better side. But will they prove to be the better side throughout a potential 100 overs? We don't think so.

This is one of the most limited sides New Zealand have ever sent to a World Cup. They have suffered 13 losses in their last 15, including a 0-9 record in India and Bangladesh.

Back Kenya at the odds in the anticipation they get a foothold and lay off for three or more points. If New Zealand bat first, it might pay to wait until after the powerplay overs because they are likely to lengthen quickly, just as Bangladesh did on day one.

Top batsman - Kenya
Collins Obuya is Kenya's top runscorer in the last 12 months. He used to be known as a specialist legspinner but has reinvented himself. He is priced at [3.00] under Any Other. Tikolo remains their best batsman, though, and his far better value at [4.00]

Top batsman - New Zealand
Brendon McCullum, at [3.50] and Martin Guptill, at [3.00] are the Kiwi openers and they will be expected to get them off to a quick start.

Other featured market
McCullum is [2.18] to score a 50.

Best bet: Back Kenya at [11.00] to trade

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