Test Match Betting Odds & Markets

Among the purists, test matches are the best form of cricket. It’s the truest test of skill and endurance, and all the best players want to represent their countries at this level.  

So, join us as we explain test match betting and how to profit from this form of cricket at talkSPORT BET.  

A test match is the longest form of cricket. It is typically played over three to five days, with both teams required to bat at least once, though usually twice, over two innings.  

Some test series are played over three or even five matches, meaning there can be 15 or 25 full days of play (weather and score dependent).  

Perhaps the most famous example of test match cricket in the world is the Ashes, contested every two years by England and Australia.  

Ashes cricket is epic, with both teams closely matched. Every run and wicket is meaningful in an Ashes series, and though we see 20-25 days of play throughout each series, it’s often the smallest of margins over a minute or so that influence the destination of the urn.  

If you’re new to cricket, it makes sense to watch the game's shorter formats first, T20 or ODI cricket, to get a feel for how it works before enjoying the longer, more traditional test match format.  

Both teams must field and bat in each test match, usually twice. But, depending on the score, one team might be required to “follow on,” which gives the other team the chance to bowl them out without batting again.  

Both teams have eleven players who must bat at least once. A toss of the coin determines which team bats first. Then, they can score as many runs as possible with no limits on the overs they can bat for.  

Each time a player loses his wicket (such as being bowled, trapped LBW, or caught), the next batter comes to the crease. When the team loses all ten wickets, it switches to the field and the other team bats. 

After the second team has lost all ten wickets, the second innings resumes, and the same format is followed. The team with the most total runs at the end of the second innings wins the test match. A team might remain at the crease for several days or be bowled out in a morning session. This is one of the most exciting things about test match cricket – anything can happen on the field.  

A win will put the team 1-0 up in the test series. Remember, the test might consist of five matches, so it’s essentially the first team to win three matches. In the Ashes, the team with the urn must only draw the series to retain the trophy.  

Historically, test matches stood alone and didn’t contribute to any league standings. Only pride and ranking points were at stake.  

However, the ICC launched the ICC World Test Championship in 2019 to add league standings to the test match format. It means that now, there’s no such thing as a dead rubber test, with ICC points up for grabs in every match.  

The league runs over two years, with all tests contributing to the standings within that period. Australia are the current champions, while New Zealand won the first Championship between 2019 and 2021. India have been the losing finalists in both iterations.  

The grand final is held each year in the United Kingdom. The first final was played at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, while the 2023 final was hosted at the Oval in London. The 2025 final is at Lord’s, the home of cricket.  

The points system is highly confusing, but the most important metric is the percentage of points won. Below are the current standings as we look forward to the 2025 final:  

You can bet on all formats of cricket at talkSPORT BET, including test matches involving England, Australia, South Africa, and India.  

Test matches run throughout the year, played from November to March in the southern hemisphere and between May and September in the northern hemisphere.  

At talkSPORT, we offer excellent odds and extensive markets for all of England’s test matches, including the Ashes. You can also bet on the winner of every other test throughout the calendar year as part of the ICC World Championship. Some of the popular test cricket betting markets include:  

• Match winner: Bet on the team you think will win the test. You can also take the draw out of the occasion with a draw-no-bet wager.  
• Top batter: Bet on the player you think will score the most runs in each innings, choosing from each team. England’s Joe Root is currently the top run scorer in the ICC World Championship.  
• Top bowler: Bet on the player you think will take the most winnings in each innings. Though rare, we saw some impressive five-fors last season.  
• Highest opening partnership: Another option is to bet on the highest opening partnership in the match. This is a bet on which team’s openers will do the best job of seeing off the new ball.  

To bet on test match cricket, create an account today at talkSPORT BET Sportsbook. Click the “Sign Up” button and complete the registration form to create your account. Then, visit our Cricket betting offers page and make a deposit to start betting.  

We also invite you to explore our Safer Gambling Portal so you can bet responsibly and always gamble within your means while betting on test match cricket.