Test Betting Guide

There are only a couple of different formats professional cricket matches use.

Two of them are ‘limited overs’ formats. This includes ODI and Twenty20 (T20). These matches are over within one day. Sometimes within just a few hours.

But the other one? That can last several days.

That format is Test matches.

Test matches are the oldest of the 3 formats. The rules were first established in 1774. The first legit Test match was played a tad more than 100 years later in 1877, between England and Australia.

(By the way – this match-up is one of the biggest rivalries in cricket. These two play 5 Test matches spanning 5 days each, every 2 years. This series is known as The Ashes.)

There are 10 official ‘Test nations’ which include: England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh.

The biggest difference you’ll find between Test and limited overs cricket is that Test matches will span 5 days. Each day will have 3 two-hour sessions.

The other are the number of overs – the fielding side must bowl a minimum of 90 overs.

And if they don’t by the end of play, the game will be extended until they do.

That’s the gist, anyway. Now let’s look at betting markets.

Test Betting Options

The two most common ways to bet on Test matches is this: Bet on the outcome of the match, or bet on the outcome of 6 overs.

But, there are lots of other markets.

Here’s a shortlist to give you some ideas along with the rules for when a bet will or will not be honored:

• Batsman Matches – Only the first innings will count.
• Batsman Match Runs – The whole match will count. In drawn matches 200 overs minimum need to be bowled.
• Batsman Runs (In-Play) – All bets stand regardless of delays (weather or otherwise).
• To Score 50/100/150/200/250/300/350/400 – All bets stand regardless of delays.
• Player Performance – The whole match counts. 200 bowls are the minimum in drawn games.
• Team Batsman to Score a Fifty in the Match – The whole match counts. 200 bowls are the minimum in drawn matches.
• A Hundred to Be Scored in the Match – The whole match counts. 200 bowls are the minimum in drawn matches.
• Team Batsman to Score a Hundred in the Match – The whole match counts. 200 bowls are the minimum (in drawn matches).
• Most Run Outs 3-Way – All innings of the match will count.
• 1st Innings Score – Declarations are considered the end of an inning. If the 1st inning is forfeited, bets will be void.
• Most Match Sixes – The whole match counts.
• Total Match Sixes – The whole match counts.
• Batsman Matches – Runs scored in both innings will count. If two or more players end on an equal number of runs the bets will be void.
• Match Betting / Draw-No-Bet / Double Chance – Bets stand on the official result as long as one ball has been bowled. In ties the dead-heat rules will apply. Bets on the draw will be losers.
• Top Batsman/Bowler – Only the first inning counts.
• Player Match Wickets – Bets stand if the player bowls 1 ball. Otherwise bets are void.
• Innings Runs – A minimum of 50 overs must be bowled.
• First Innings Lead – Both teams must compete for bets to be honored.
• Runs in 1st Over (2-Way) – Extras and penalty runs are included. The overs need to be completed for bets to stand.
• Test Match Team Totals (2-Way) – Bets settled on 1st innings only. A min of 50 overs must be bowled.
• Innings Runs – A min of 50 overs must be bowled.
• Top Team Batsman / Team Bowler – Only the first innings count.

This is a mere fraction of the betting markets (and rules) available for Test cricket matches. All of these came from Bet365, which we highly recommend for bettors outside the US.

More than that, though, it means that you will find more options if you also choose to check out sportsbooks like 888, Pinnacle or Bovada.

Wherever you decide to bet, be sure to read the rules for each market as some of them can vary wildly and will often come down to whether or not your bet will be honored.