Punters expect West Indies to improve in Adelaide, but not by much
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday December 4, 2009
The dismal start to the West Indies tour of Australia hasn't deterred punters from having faith in them to perform better in the second Test, which begins in Adelaide today.Sportingbet Australia chief executive Michael Sullivan said punters were expecting an improved showing, but not for them to win."While the first Test was over in under three days the punters think the Windies will last a bit longer in Adelaide," Sullivan said."We are betting $2.75 about the match finishing on day five and punters must think the more sedate Adelaide Oval pitch will help the Windies as it has clearly been the best-backed option."The Adelaide pitch has produced more five-day games in recent years and the Windies surely can't bat as badly as they did in Brisbane."A result in four days is still the favourite at $2.10, while another three-day match is $4."Centrebet's Neil Evans said betting on the cricket had gone cold after the Windies woeful display in the first Test at the Gabba."Australia has firmed from $1.21 into $1.20 to win in Adelaide with barely $10,000 in the pot," he said. "The draw is around $6 and its a whopping $16.50 for the Windies, who are virtually untouched."The smart punters are the ones who took Australia to win the series at $1.16 when the market first opened. The home side is now $1.01, with the Windies $67."GREEN VALUETAB Sportsbet customers took more than a passing interest in the Danny Green-Roy Jones jnr bout on Wednesday night with more than $1.25 million invested.Some punters took the $67 on offer about Green to score a round-one knockout, with six separate bets of $100 placed on that option and another of $150. TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said the largest single bet taken on Green to win was $5000 at $3.25, while there were bets of $1500 and $1000 on him to win by knockout or technical knockout.Jones was solidly supported, firming from $1.40 to $1.30, while Green fans backed him in from $3.50 in to $3 by start time.The big losing bets on Jones were $30,000 at $1.33 (three times) and $15,000 at $2.35 (by points).Munsie added that two customers might have had a long wait to collect but were all smiles after Green prevailed. "I'm sure they are still celebrating after Green was the final leg of a multi," Munsie said. "The bets were $1000 at $13.20 and included Melbourne to win the NRL grand final, Geelong (-8.5) in AFL grand final in to Danny Green winning."OPEN SHORTENERNikolay Davydenko has been the big firmer for the Australian Open following his career-best win in the ATP World Tour Finals last week.Sportingbet has Davydenko in from $41 to $26, with strong support coming following his surge in form. However, Sullivan said Davydenko might be in form but they were happy to lay the non-major winner.THE BEST BETFulham to win in the Premier League against Sunderland at $2.10 with Sportsbetting.com.au.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
