INNOCENT BYSTANDER

With cricket high on everyone’s agenda this month, we’ve chosen one of the more respected posters on the cricket forum, Innocent Bystander, to answer a few questions and share some of his wisdom.

England’s victory in 2005 – the resurrection of English cricket or a blip on the radar which will wake the Aussies up and make them hit back with a vengeance?

A bit of both. England finally received the credit they deserved for the way they had turned around their fortunes in the previous 5 years, and Australia lost their cloak of invincibility. Since then we have seen other countries show that Australia are no longer invincible - but they still have the best killer instinct in world cricket - something England need to emulate.

An Ashes series Down Under means late nights and not much sleep – how will you prepare yourself to stay focused so as not to miss a prime opportunity to bet/trade?

My mantra on the forum during the winter months is 'sleeping is for wimps'. I can adjust my body clock pretty well for the all-nighters, however I am more worried about this winter when on some days we will be getting 3 or 4 international games - I may have to catch 40 winks during a lunch break somewhere!!

A favourite strategy of cricket traders is lay the draw first, then trade it as the game progresses. Do you enter a Test match with any set plan?

I always try to get a green book pre game by playing the pre game swings - if I can get into that position it makes trading the game a lot easier. It is well known there are some points in a game where you can have an almost free bet, the ability to spot these and benefit is crucial.

Your tip for the series?

Not one to give tips - the beauty of Betfair is you don’t have to have a preconceived idea. One thing I am certain is it will be a very competitive series and not the Australian cake walk some people think.

If you could have a ticket to any one single sporting event in the world what would it be?

Well I had tickets for many days of last years Ashes - day 2 and 3 of the Trent Bridge test (Freddie century, Pratt’s run out of Ponting, Strauss' catch of Gilchrist) was the most intense cricket I have had the privilege of watching.

Do you bet in-play? If so which sports do you go for and why?

Obviously Cricket - so many opportunities, a cerebral form of trading IMHO rather than the smash and grab of other sports. I like NFL trading as well, been a fan since the C4 days and it has been very profitable for me over the years.

Whose opinion in the forum do you respect?

There are a lot of great posters (and a lot of muppets too :)) But when the likes of Hank Sumatra and Riccardo post (sadly infrequently these days) then you do well to listen.

Has sport ever cost you a girlfriend?

Nope, I’m fortunate that my long term girlfriend also likes sport and can handle a day at the cricket - as well as being a fellow Ipswich Town fan. Probably a good job too!!!

Do you live by any betting principles and if so what are they?

Try to ensure you have as much information as the next person - especially on a site like Betfair.

When and why did you join Betfair and what do like /dislike about the site?

I can’t remember exactly when I joined, but I have been a full time trader for 8 months now. Best features about the site - the near to 100% books that give you excellent value, and the liquidity that it offers. Worst feature - the feeling that sometimes cricket is not treated as seriously as football or racing - when you can get over 10 million traded on a 50 over game and over 25 million on a test, it can be frustrating when markets are turned in play late or innings runs markets are not available - but its getting a lot better!!

You have a bit of a following in the forum, why do you think that is?

I hope it’s because forumites can see that I don’t ramp and post honestly - I only put down hard facts (with links) or genuine opinions (with reasons). I suspect forumites know my opinions on rampers and trolls !!!

Do you celebrate individual wins or look at the bigger picture?

As it’s now my main source of income I don’t get over excited by big wins or losses, I try to keep my emotions in check. I celebrate the match result, if I have a nice green under that result it’s a nice bonus.

What’s the one tip you’d offer someone posting on the forum for the first time?

Don’t be a troll - everyone has an opinion but we don’t need to hear it over and over again. And be honest.

Which three famous sportsmen would you have around for dinner?

Sir Bobby Robson - a true sporting gentleman and the best English coach of my era
Freddie Flintoff - a modern day boys own hero
Ian Botham - predictable, but my first cricket hero. He could choose the wine as well!!!

If you could re-live one sporting day which one would it be?

Would have to be day 5 of last year’s Oval test. I was working then so was unable to be there live, but spent the last 3 hours listening to TMS on the M4, living every emotion. Just got home in time to see Rudi remove the bails - cue tears of joy.