A thoroughly English cricketing display, ANOTHER Women’s World Cup penalty and a big Cross Bookings make-up all feature Spreadex’s daily spread betting roundup!

England do an England against Australia – Cricket World Cup
When England lost to Pakistan in their 2nd match, they bounced back stronger, stretching to a 106 runs victory over Bangladesh. Following that logic, the hope was that Eoin Morgan and co. would spring broad from last Friday’s Sri Lankan shocker to an intention-setting win against Australia.

And, initially, that seemed like that would be the case, England keeping the Aussies to a beatable 285 runs at Lord’s. And then they bottled it. James Vince was gone on the 2nd ball, Joe Root not long after, with captain Morgan caught out just after his side had breached a quarter of a century. The collapse continued, eventually yielding a 64 runs victory for Australia, a result that confirmed their place in the semi-finals.

If you had predicted this thoroughly English display – after all, you’d have decades of evidence to back you up – and sold at an England/Australia Supremacy spread of 6-16, you could have made 70 times your initial stake.

Martens breaks Japanese hearts – Women’s World Cup
For the umpteenth time this Women’s World Cup a game was decided by not penalties, but a penalty, with the Netherlands’ journey to the quarter-finals producing the 17th spot kick of the competition so far.

Lieke Martens had given the Leeuwinnen the lead after 17 minutes, only for Yui Hasegawa to equalise for Japan just before the break. A (near) goalless 2nd half meant it looked like the fixture was going to extra time; and then a shot from Vivianne Miedema hit the arm of Saki Kumagai, handing the European champions a 90th minute penalty.

Martens held her nerve and completed her brace, sending the Netherlands through to the last-8. She also gave those who had backed her at a Martens SMM spread of 19-23 reason to cheer, with a make-up of 197 leaving you with 174 times your initial stake.

Ghana and Benin fight to a draw – African Cup of Nations
In a game that started hot – it was 1-1 within 10 minutes – and ended a bit tense, Benin gave a good account of themselves against Ghana, with Mickael Pote’s brace seeing them collect a crucial point in the African Cup of Nations Group F (and a SMM make-up of 128 from an initial spread of just 8-11).

However the real big make-ups came about thanks, in large part, to John Boye, whose 2nd yellow in the 55th minute contributed to a chunky Cross Bookings make-up of 900. Against an initial spread of 195-245, that’s 655 times your stake.