2nd match Tue 12 Feb : After their resounding successes in the opening two Twenty20 matches against New Zealand last week, it came as a bit of a shock to cricket betting fans when England were thrashed in the first one-dayer at Wellington last Saturday.

Captain, Paul Collingwood, put it down to a misreading of the pitch. He thought it looked firm but it turned out to be soft. He claimed it was difficult to score on. Not so for the New Zealand team, written off by their own home press after the opening games, who managed a respectable six wicket win, accomplished before the floodlights had even begun to warm up.

Enthusiasts of online betting will form their own opinions but none will exclude criticism of tactics in the One Day team. OK, with specialists in each of the three formats, Twenty20, One Day (50 over) and Test, it’s becoming difficult for captains to quantify expertise in their available players, especially when injury and form come into the equation. There are basic tactical rules, however, and the England team has to take a more aggressive stance in the One Day Matches. Early snatched singles add up and take the pressure off the batsmen to take dangerous risks in later overs.

Thankfully, we can feel good about our bowling and the fielding was sharp and impressive. Let’s hope our batsmen can get it sorted for Tuesday’s meet in Hamilton.