10 things to expect from the 2014 ICC World T20

It may not please the traditionalists, but T20 has been growing in popularity as cricket’s more explosive shorter form of the game since it was introduced just over 10 years ago.

If you prefer the intriguing tactical ebb and flow of a Test match, then you may want to look away from the crash, bang, wallop of the ICC World T20, which began yesterday and runs until April 6th.

However, if you fancy getting involved in the thrills and spills that are sure to be on show over 35 matches involving 16 sides (some good, some not so good) then sit back and enjoy.

Below are 10 things to expect from the 2014 ICC World T20 in Bangladesh – and ways punters can get involved with some cricket spread bets and cricket fixed odds bets on all the action.

1. Runs
There are going to be runs on show. Loads of them. Spreadex traders estimate nearly 10,000 runs will be scored altogether, with the pre-tournament spread quoting between 9,660 and 9,860 over the tournament.
With some big hitters facing some minnows there could be some big innings totals – but also some piddling efforts. Will anyone score less than Ireland’s record 68 all out after 16.4 overs against the West Indies in 2010 or will a side surpass Sri Lanka’s whopping 260 for 6 against Sri Lanka in 2007?
For each game Spreadex will offer a prediction of each team’s run total allowing you to go higher or lower with a spread bet if you disagree with the spread.

2. Sixes
If you’re a spectator at any of the three tournament venues then keep your wits about you – as it’s highly likely a core of cork will come hurtling your way over the boundary rope at some point.
West Indies skipper Chris Gayle is the man to look out for, currently holding the record for 43 T20 World Cup sixes across the previous four T20 World Cup tournaments.
Spreadex traders were predicting around 300 sixes to be smashed during the event with the pre-tournament spread of 290 – 310.
You can also have a spread bet on the amount of sixes for each match or play Multi-Sixes (Team A’s sixes multiplied by Team B’s sixes).

3. Fours
Umpires will have been doing their arm stretches over the past few weeks ready to perform hundreds of humorous, orchestra conductor-style, wiggly arm-across-chest movements to signal fours.
Spreadex cricket odds compilers were reckoning on there being over 800 fours stroked throughout the matches. That’s a lot of boundaries. And a lot of umpire arm-wiggling.
Leading World T20 run-scorer Mahela Jayawardena is sure to be hitting his fair share as he looks to add to his current total of 858 runs scored across the previous World Cups.

4. Centuries
There may only be 120 balls bowled during a team’s innings, but that’s more than enough time for a batsmen to smash his way to a century.
There have been four centuries scored in World T20 history – Brendan McCullum with 123 v Bangladesh in 2012, Gayle with 117 v South Africa in 2007, Suresh Raina with 101 v South Africa in 2010 and Jayawardena with 100 v Zimbabwe in 2010.
Spreadex are quoting Tournament Ton Ups (the number of individual batsman runs scored over 100) at 23 – 27.

5. Half-centuries
As you can see from the stats above, more batsmen are likely to reach the half century mark than centuries. And again there are plenty of ways to place bets based on half century scorers.
Spreadex’s Tournament 50 Ups (the number of individual batsman runs scored over 50) were priced at 710 – 770 before the start of the competition.
You can also bet on Match 50 Ups for each game or individual Team 50 Ups for each match.

6. Ducks
For all the style and class on show at the crease, there is also going to be bumbling befuddlement aplenty too.
Kenya hold the record for the most amount of ducks in a World T20 match – 6 in their total of 73 in a 9 wicket humiliation to New Zealand in 2007.
Spreadex was quoting Tournament Total Ducks at 54 – 57 before the start of the competition.
How can you bet on a batsmen doing badly? Simply place a sell spread bet on his Batsman Runs spread. But remember, if he does end up smashing the ball around the park, you can end up losing more than your initial stake on a spread bet should the bet go against you.

7. Wickets
The focus has been on run-scoring here so far, but what about the bowlers? Who will be the main wicket-takers and who will produce the best figures?
Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga is the man to watch; he currently boasts the most World T20 wickets taken at 33, but his 5-31 against England in 2012 has been bettered by Umar Gul’s 5-6 for Pakistan against New Zealand in 2009 and team-mate Ajantha Mendis’s 6-8 against Zimbabwe in 2012.
Spreadex has Tournament Wicket quotes for certain selected players with Malinga’s Tournament Wickets spread 8 – 9 and Gul 7 – 8.

8. Wides
For all the accuracy and consistency among the bowlers, who will be losing the plot with the ball?
South Africa hold the record for the most wides bowled in a World T20 innings – 23 in their eight wicket win over the West Indies in 2007.
Spreadex’s quote for Tournament Wides was 288 – 308 ahead of the start of the competition.

9. Catches
We all love to see the spectacular sight of a fielder leaping heroically through the air to take a stupendous catch – and we all love to laugh uproariously at comedy, butter-fingered drops in the outfield. So what can we expect from the fielding out in Bangladesh?
South Africa’s AB de Villiers holds the record for most World T20 catches with 16, while Darren Sammy has the most catches in one innings after his four for West Indies against Ireland in 2010.
To bet on catches, take a look at Spreadex’s Player Performance markets for each match, which give a spread based for selected players based on 1 point per run, 10 points per catch, 20 points per wicket and 25 points per stumping.

10. England failure?
England won the World T20 in 2010 but failed to get out of the group stages in 2012 and as we all know have been on something of a downward spiral since their Ashes humiliation over the winter.
Injuries to Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes haven’t helped their preparations for this tournament but how will they fare this time around?
Spreadex pitched England as lowly eighth favourites in the pre-tournament fixed odds betting at 14/1 and with a spread of 16-19 on the spread betting 60-40-20-10 index. So if England can bag a semi-final spot, it will certainly be beyond the bookmakers’ expectations.