What Is “Innings Start” in Cricket Betting?
“Innings Start” betting refers to wagers placed on what will happen at the beginning of a team’s innings — typically within the first few overs (often 1st over, 5 overs, or 10 overs).
Bookmakers offer different betting markets related to how a team starts their innings — for example:
- How many runs will be scored in the opening overs
- Whether a wicket will fall early
- What the opening partnership will score
- Or who will score certain milestones first
It’s all about predicting the early momentum a team will have when their innings begins.
Example: India vs Australia (ODI Match)
Let’s say the market is:
“India – Innings Start: Over/Under 29.5 Runs in First 5 Overs”
This means:
- You’re betting on how many runs India will score in their first 5 overs.
- The line is 29.5 runs.
Example Outcomes:
- If India scores 30 runs or more, your “Over 29.5” bet wins.
- If India scores 29 runs or fewer, your “Under 29.5” bet wins.
Other Common “Innings Start” Betting Markets
| Market Type | What You’re Betting On | Example |
|---|---|---|
| First Over Runs | Total runs scored in the first over | “Over 3.5 runs in 1st over – England” |
| First Over Wicket | Whether a wicket falls in the first over | “Yes/No – Wicket in 1st over” |
| Opening Partnership Runs | Runs scored before the first wicket | “Over 40.5 opening partnership runs – Pakistan” |
| First Boundary (4 or 6) | Whether a boundary is hit in first over or first 10 balls | “Boundary in 1st over – Yes” |
| First 10 Overs Total | Total runs scored in the first 10 overs | “Australia to score over 55.5 runs in 10 overs” |
Example with Realistic Scenario
Match: England vs South Africa (T20)
Market: England – Innings Start (First 6 overs over/under 48.5 runs)
- England’s openers: Jos Buttler & Phil Salt — both aggressive batters.
- South Africa’s new-ball bowlers: Rabada & Jansen — fast and accurate.
If you bet Over 48.5 runs, you’re expecting England to score at least 49 runs in the powerplay (first 6 overs).
Result Example:
- England scores 54/1 after 6 overs → Over bet wins
- England scores 45/2 after 6 overs → Under bet wins
Betting Tips for “Innings Start” Markets
- Check Opening Batters’ Style:
- Aggressive openers (e.g., Travis Head, Jos Buttler) usually favor Over bets.
- Defensive or technically cautious openers (e.g., Cheteshwar Pujara in Tests) often favor Under bets.
- Pitch Conditions:
- Flat batting pitches = more runs early.
- Green or seaming pitches = more wickets, fewer runs.
- Match Format:
- T20: Higher scoring, so Overs are more likely.
- ODI: Balanced, depends on Powerplay strategy.
- Test: Slower starts, so Unders often win.
- Bowling Attack Strength:
- Strong new-ball bowlers (e.g., Shaheen Afridi, Bumrah) can limit early runs → good for Under bets.
- Weather & Dew Factor:
- Morning dampness can help bowlers swing the ball early.
- Night matches with dew favor batsmen.
- Home Advantage:
- Teams familiar with their home pitches often start stronger — worth considering for Over bets.
Example Betting Strategy
- If Australia is batting first in a T20 on a flat pitch with Warner & Head opening, consider:
- Over 50.5 runs in first 6 overs
- If Pakistan is chasing under lights on a bowling-friendly pitch with Shaheen & Amir opening the bowling:
- Under 28.5 runs in first 5 overs for the batting side
Would you like me to explain a specific Innings Start market (like “First Over Runs” or “Opening Partnership”) in detail with betting examples too?