***TEST RUN***

8:47 - Morning folks, this is just a trial run for me in the trading room but I am covering the Aus v Kenya game - should be one sided but that doesn't mean there won't be any value on offer...

8:49 - Aus have won the toss and decided to bat - Kenya will be in for a long day in the field...

8:51 - I will be covering the spreads along with other in running markets available with the majority of online bookmakers

8:54 - AUS Team News - MIKE Hussey comes in for brother David Hussey - he could have a big part to play in the CWC

8:57 - BET - Labrokes, Shane Watson to score OVER 6.5 4s at 1.91 - Stake 30pts

9:01 - We are underway...

9:05 - Apologies, I should have noted that this match is being shown live on Sky Sports HD 2 (via Red Button)

9:08 - Shane Watson took a few balls to get his sights in and then smashes 4,4,6 of the last 3 balls of the 2nd over...this looks a lightning fast outfield

9:21 - Concentrating on William Hill in running, Other Total Markets

9:16 - No doubt when the ball gets older the ball will not come onto the bat as nicely but this outfield is soo fast - I reckon we are in for a BIG total. Time to look at the Aus Total Runs market. Presently I fancy them to score 360+

9:23 - BET - Australia Total Runs 340-360 at 5.80, Stake 15pts
BET -  Australia Total Runs 360-380 at 5.80, Stake 15pts

9:29 - Haddin seems to be struggling with the line and length the Kenyans have found, one feels a big short might be around the corner

9:31 - GONE!!  I feel Haddin's lack of strike rotation has hurt us, Watson flashes at a wide one and perishes

9:35 - Ponting walks to the crease, will be looking to spend some time at the crease

9:39 - Naturally when a wicket falls, total run markets come down, Paddy Power have dropped more than others, this still looks a great track and after a few quite overs we can expect the run rate to climb again...potential value with Paddy

9:45 - Kenyan bowlers have really found a rhythm and have brought the Aus run rate to an alarming slump

9:54 - Haddin struggling here, I jsut seem him as a smasher, when the ball is there he looks good, but bowl well to him and you expose his technical flaws

10:03 - No need to panic yet, still a lot of overs left to reach our total of 340, White, Hussey & Johnson are all big hitters and what Australia do better than any other side is pick up singles. Ironically, Kenyans spin bowlers are likely to go for more than the seamers

10:24 - Still here...just having a late breakfast :o)
 
10:25 - As anticipated, slow bowlers come on and Australia start milking singles and picking up the odd boundary, run rate back up over 5. Ideally these two stay at the crease for another 15 overs to set up the platform for the big hitters to get us to our 340+

10:34 - Just ticking along at the moment...no value in the markets to exploit presently..

10:53 - Clarke to the crease, this is his type of wicket and scenario...
BET - Spreads - BUY Clarke total runs @ 51 (buy at anything at under 55) for 1pt a unit

10:56 - Looking to do a spot of skimming with Clarke, he will nudge the ball around and play the spinners well, we can look to sell him when he gets up to 30 runs - basically before he starts hitting out

11:08 - Mini collapse from Australia but fear not, Mr Cricket has walked to the crease. William Hill believe aus won't reach 300 which I find staggering. I have to get involved, even though we are already committed to 30 pts on Aus Total runs market

11:10 - BET - William Hill, Australia Total Runs OVER 303.5 (back anything 308.5+) at 1.85, Stake 75pts

11:17 - Clarke & Hussey, Australia's best players of spin, are for me the deciding factor of whether or not they can win the CWC

11:34 - Things ticking along OK for us and Australia at the moment...Clarke presently 63-68 on the spreads presently

11:45 - Definately feel we caught William Hill snoozing, unless Australia collapse, our Over 303.5 looks safe and with the batting power play still to come, 340-380 looks still alive. Clarke presently 75-80 on the spreads but as he is looking so good I might let him run - you are welcome to sell and guarantee profit

11:56 - Looking to sell Clarke when (if) he gets his 50...

12:00 - Clarke makes 50, spreads are aware that he isn't a big hitter and therefore have stayed at 78-83 (26pts profit). i believe he might look to bat through and allow the other batsmen to hit out aroudn him. He will pick up plenty of 2s and maybe the odd boundary, therefore with the 303+ bet looking good, looking to keep him open

12:06 - 7.44 an over needed to reach our 1st target of 304 runs, a massive 11.44 to get our 340 - looks a way off, Hussey will be the key

12:08 - This is the best bit of spread betting, Clarke currently on 56... every run from here on in is profit :o)

12:24 - Clarke still in = good, 31 off 30 balls for our target pf 304 = comfortable, 13.4 an over needed to reach 340 = miracle needed!

12:33 - I'm never one to brag but my decision to keep Clarke alive was nothing short of a masterstroke! 40pts profit and counting :o)

12:40 - You guys can't see but I have just given Clarke a standing ovation, 93 off 80 balls was a great knock and 41pts profit :o). 340 looks dead in the water but we will end up in profit overall.
 
12:50 - Aussis end 324 for 6
I will leave the Kenya innings alone and bow out  with a total profit of +45.75pts, not too bad - a few more runs and we would have hit 340 which have returned a nice profit but I won't grumble with a profit on my first outing in the trading room.

Gethin Palmer out.