Boxing Day = Cricket
As the four match Test series moves to Durban for the second instalment, those supporting England on the spreads will take heart that the side have only ever lost once in their 14 matches at Kingsmead. Spread punters looking to buy England's win index should take care though as they have only managed one win in that time and have drawn there on nine occasions. The ground has seen its fair share of highs and lows for the Proteas and sellers of England's win index will remember when South Africa amassed 658 for 9 against the West Indies in 2004. However, buyers of England's win index spread will be interested to learn that their opponents also suffered a humiliating loss against India in 1996, where they were bowled out for just 66 runs. Overall South Africa have played 36 times at this venue and have won 13 of those Tests, lost 10 and drawn 13. Any spread bettors looking to buy South Africa's supremacy spread should note that the ground is prone to bad light and the humid climate can result in big thunderstorms.
South Africa won't have fond memories of the last time they played at Kingsmead, as the side were convincingly beaten by the Aussies by 175 runs at the start of 2009. However, the two previous Tests at the ground saw the Proteas beat the West Indies by an innings and 100 runs and India by 174 runs. Those looking to bet against South Africa will remember that the last time England visited Kingsmead they managed to secure a decent draw. Since 2000, South Africa have played eight Tests at Kingsmead and have only lost twice - both times to Australia.
Sporting Index's Volcano market (a supremacy prediction of which side will score the most combined match runs) is sure to spark plenty of interest for those spread bettors that enjoy a bet on total runs. Punters will have noted that the highest total ever recorded at the ground was by the Proteas when they amassed 658 runs before declaring for 9 against the West Indies, whilst England's highest total here was 654/5 in 1939. More recently, they notched 570/7 in 2004.
Spread punters looking at Jacques Kallis' individual markets will be desperate the all-rounder can make it through the first Test to give him a full match at a ground where he has prospered over the years. Kallis is second on the list of highest scorers at Kingsmead, having scored 1047 runs at an average of 58.11. He has scored four centuries and four half-centuries since 1995. Those looking to buy Andrew Strauss' total runs spread will see that he has smashed 161 runs at Kingsmead from his only two innings here and he has shown terrific form throughout 2009.
Buyers of Makhaya Ntini's player performance spread will be encouraged the pace-man has taken 43 wickets at the ground at an average of 25.53 - his best innings figures were 7/37 against the West Indies in 2005. Spread buyers of Kallis' bowling index will be pleased that he also has impressive bowling figures at Kingsmead, taking 19 wickets with an average of 26.72.
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