The third round of the Specsavers County Championship season takes place this week with another Friday to Monday schedule. As with last week all 18 counties are in action again as both tables begin to take a little shape.
Those who have got off to winning starts will be looking to enhance their positions and for the sides who haven’t begun the season as they would have liked here is a chance to kick their campaigns into life.
Division One
The big match of the week comes from the Ageas Bowl as fast starting Hampshire take on former champions Yorkshire for the second time in three weeks. This will be Joe Root’s first outing in England since he was given the Test captaincy so it is sure to draw plenty of attention.
Elsewhere Lancashire play their first home game of the season at Old Trafford. Somerset are the visitors while Middlesex are back at Lord’s for the first time since they captured the title. They host Essex. The other match sees Warwickshire facing Surrey.
Division Two
The heavyweight tussle between Nottinghamshire and Sussex will steal most of the limelight in this division this week but it isn’t the only good looking match. Worcestershire against Northants should be a good one too.
The other three matches this week see Durham going in search of a first win of the campaign when they head to Bristol to take on Gloucestershire while the two strugglers Leicestershire and Glamorgan meet. Kent host Derbyshire in the last match.
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Betting
I’m going with two bets this week. I’m tempted by a third but Leicestershire are missing Mark Cosgrove which is enough to sway me from them in a match where value wasn’t huge to begin with.
In the top division I like Lancashire this week. They have a win and a draw in which they were on top throughout to their name so far this season while Somerset have a defeat to an Essex side Lancashire beat in the opening round. I thought heading into the season that Somerset look a little light with the bat and that proved to be the case last week. They’ll need to bat well against a Lancashire attack which includes Jimmy Anderson. I’m not sure they have it in them so I’m with the Red Rose here.
In the second division Worcestershire were my pick to win the league this season and I’ve seen nothing to suggest that they aren’t genuine contenders. In fairness they meet a side who have got off to a flyer this season although we shouldn’t forget that they organised a result chance against Derbyshire. Fair play to Northamptonshire for taking it though. I think they will need to be at their best in this one especially with Worcestershire having Moeen Ali back. Worcestershire look strong with the bat and the ball and I’m with them here.
Tips
WON – Back Lancashire to beat Somerset for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Bet365
Back them here:
WON – Back Worcestershire to beat Northants for a 4/10 stake at 1.85 with Bwin
Back them here:
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