SYDNEY, March 14: Australian gamblers re-learnt an old lesson along with the nation’s cricketers in this week’s record breaking one-day international in Johannesburg: there’s no such thing as a certainty.

After Australia posted a record one-day total of 434 at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday, three punters lost A$56,000 (US$42,000) betting that South Africa could not beat it.

The odds were not attractive. Two of the gamblers bet $20,000 each with Centrebet at 1.01 to one for the chance to win just $200.

The third put $16,000 on with Sportsbook.com.au at 1.06 to one, hoping to make $960. All lost when South Africa romped home with one ball to spare.

Nobody backed South Africa at Centrebet’s odds of 26 to one. At that price, $20,000 would have earned a cool $520,000.—AFP