A few dozen spectators at the Blacktown International Sportspark on Monday watched the ACT Meteors’ women’s side battle valiantly against the Hobart Hurricanes in the T20 Spring Challenge, a modest precursor to what will be a busy summer of women’s cricket.
The intermittent ripples of light applause at the ground were in contrast to the feverish mouse clicking and screen tapping by those following online. On Kalshi – one of several new “prediction market” gambling websites similar to the one actor Sydney Sweeney recently endorsed – a late betting surge drove total wagers for the pre-season match past $350,000. Over at Hurstville Oval at the same time, the match between the Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat drew even more interest. Total bets for that fixture reached $476,000.
