There is just the one match in the Royal London One Day Cup on Thursday which comes from the South Group as the Essex Eagles host Gloucestershire in a match which is likely to have a significant impact on the group table.
Essex head into the match with two wins from two matches to their name while Gloucestershire have a win and a defeat so a win for Essex would have them in a very handy position to launch from while Gloucestershire will join the top two with a win of their own.
Essex Eagles
Essex have won batting first and chasing a total in this tournament so far so that bodes well for them for the remainder of the competition. They have won when their top order has fired and when it hasn’t so that is another positive for them as well. They even won last time out when they were down to the last man at the crease.
When you look at this Essex batting line up you would have to say it looks very strong. They don’t get to see Alastair Cook in this format of the game very often while Ravi Bopara’s international exile is very much Essex’s gain. With the likes of Simon Harmer, Ryan ten Doeschate and Neil Wagner all international cricketers this is a strong side.
Gloucestershire
It was an unexpected defeat and an unexpected victory for Gloucestershire in their opening two matches. They lost to a Glamorgan side few gave a chance to prior to the competition and then they beat a Middlesex side who have been in decent touch so far. It does show that they have two sides to them which could be a concern.
We should remember Gloucestershire won this tournament in 2015 and while a number of their personnel have changed in that time their methods and strengths haven’t. They have a batting line up that is deep and plenty of bowling options with pace, canny seamers and spinners allowing them to play in any condition.
Team News
England players have been under control this week but Essex have Alastair Cook available for this match. They look to be at full strength heading into this one.
Gloucestershire are missing Gareth Roderick from their squad but aside from that they are at full strength too and looking to build on their previous win. They are likely to be unchanged.
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Betting
I think these two sides are evenly matched. If the weather had been a bit better or this was a later start I might have taken the sixes in this one but the early start and lack of real form to go by puts me off that. I suspect the toss might have an impact on the outcome too so my only bet in the match will come in the performance markets.
Benny Howell has a performance line of 41.5 which looks low on the face of it but when you look into his results this season it really does look low. He has covered that line in both matches with results of 44pts and 156pts. Having played in the Bangladesh Premier League in the winter his cricket should go to the next level and I expect him to keep on covering these lines with his three-dimensional play.
Tips
WON – Back B.Howell’s Performance – Over 41.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
Back him here:
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