Betting on Test cricket is much like painting and then watching it dry. The whole process takes a long time to produce a result. Things can change quickly towards the end of any Test match, but as like the 4th Test a boring draw is the more likely outcome.

I delayed placing any kind of bet until after the lunch break in each match and then opted for "Lay the Draw". At first sight this might seem contradictory, as the more likely outcome WILL be a draw. However, I have a cunning plan this time around and don't intend to get caught slipping up again!

South Africa v Australia Lay the Draw £10 @ 1.88 Liability £8.80

West Indies v England Lay the Draw £10 @ 1.8 Liability £8

The £16.80 stake money will probably be unavailable for recycle until at least Sunday, which is another drawback when betting on Test cricket. Still, you never know and I can always use the rest of last night's winnings for my football bets tomorrow.

Stumps - Day 1
Australia 303/4 South Africa
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first.
BACK the Draw Odds 1.8 (no trade possible at this time)

West Indies v England Progress and the AskJack Flag

England were going quite well until just before the tea break when Shah retired hurt and Pieterson was bowled through the gap of bat and pad...

Looks like my little patriotic flag I just made might just be redundant. Still, lots of batting left in the first innings and all to play for.

Here's my Flag made using PaintShop Pro and combining a cricket clip-art image and the England flag:

OK, it's a bit naff, but the scoring is slow and I was bored.

Tea - Day 1
England 156/2 West Indies
England won the toss and elected to bat first.
BACK the Draw odds 1.9 (no trade at this time)

Thanks to the kind comments by "Anonymous"; I've made an alternative flag, which in all likelihood will come true!

Nipped Over to Some Offshore Football

Spotted this bargain in Poland's premier league:

Gornik Zabrze v Arka Gdynia

Never heard of the teams before and probably never will again.

You see, when Test cricket gets a bit slow; strange things can happen.

Arka Gdynia were 1-2 up at halftime and odds on... however at the start of the match Gornik Zabrze were the market leaders.

So, I put a Lay on Arka and then went back to watch the cricket.

Here's my screen:

A very nice green book, because the final score was 2-2 with Gornik scoring late (lucky for Jack).

Offset £7.60 against my Test Lay the Draw bets and put my personal fortune calculator on standby!!

Stumps - Day 1
England 258/2 West Indies
England won the toss and elected to bat first.
BACK the Draw odds 2.12 and drifting (no trade at this time)

Anything over 400 on Day 2 would make a follow-on unlikely but possible.

CLOSE OF PLAY FOR TODAY