1st Innings in Cricket Sports Betting Explained
In cricket sports betting, the term “1st innings” refers to the first batting turn of a team in a match. Depending on the format — Test, ODI, or T20 — both teams usually get one or two innings to bat, but most betting markets focus heavily on the 1st innings because it sets the tone of the match.
Meaning of 1st Innings in Betting
When you place a 1st innings bet, you are betting on what happens before the first batting team’s innings ends.
This could include:
- Total runs scored
- Number of wickets lost
- Player performance
- Team milestones (like 50s or 100s scored)
Example Match
Match: India vs Australia (ODI Match)
- India wins the toss and decides to bat first.
- India’s 1st innings is the entire period until they are all out or have played 50 overs.
- After that, Australia starts their 1st innings (the chase).
Example 1: Total Runs Market
Bet Type: India 1st Innings Runs Over/Under 290.5
- If India scores 300 runs → Bet on Over 290.5 wins.
- If India scores 285 runs → Bet on Under 290.5 wins.
Example 2: Team 1st Wicket Partnership
Market: 1st Wicket Partnership Over/Under 35.5 runs
- If Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put up 40 runs before the first wicket, Over wins.
- If the first wicket falls at 25 runs, Under wins.
Example 3: Player Performance in 1st Innings
Bet Type: Virat Kohli to score Over 49.5 runs in 1st Innings
- If Kohli scores 52 runs, your bet wins.
- If he scores 45 runs, your bet loses.
Popular 1st Innings Betting Markets
- Total Runs (Over/Under)
- 1st Over Runs
- 1st 6 Overs Runs (Powerplay)
- 1st Wicket Method (Catch, Bowled, LBW, etc.)
- Top Team Batter or Bowler in 1st Innings
- 1st Innings Total Sixes
- 1st Innings Highest Opening Partnership
Example with a Real Team
Match: England vs South Africa (T20I)
- England bats first.
- Bookmakers set England 1st Innings Runs = Over/Under 175.5
Scenario 1:
England finishes with 182/6 in 20 overs
Over 175.5 wins
Scenario 2:
England finishes with 168/8 in 20 overs
under 175.5 wins
1st Innings Betting Tips
- Check Pitch Report:
- Flat pitch = high-scoring 1st innings.
- Dry or turning pitch = fewer runs, more wickets.
- Weather Conditions:
- Cloudy = Swing for bowlers → lower total.
- Sunny = Easier batting → higher total.
- Team Lineups:
- Strong batting lineup (like India, England) = good for Over bets.
- Weak top order or inexperienced batters = good for Under bets.
- Venue Trends:
- Example: Eden Gardens, Kolkata often sees high 1st innings totals.
- Sharjah, UAE may have lower 1st innings scores due to slow pitches.
- Form and Confidence:
- In-form openers usually set up strong starts.
- If the opponent has top-class bowlers, early wickets are likely.
- Look at Powerplay Stats:
- Teams that attack early (like England or West Indies) often score big in the 1st innings.
- Defensive teams (like Sri Lanka or Bangladesh) may struggle early.
Summary
| Aspect | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | 1st team’s batting phase | India batting first in ODI |
| Popular Bet | Over/Under total runs | Over 290.5 runs |
| Key Factors | Pitch, weather, lineup | Flat pitch favors Over |
| Tip | Use recent match stats | Check team’s last 3 1st innings scores |
Would you like me to explain “1st Innings Runs Over/Under betting” in detail next — with examples and tips for both T20 and ODI formats?