There is one match in the Specsavers County Championship that is a little later to start than the others this week and it sees Sussex hosting Durham in a pretty big match for both sides in Hove beginning on Sunday.
After their hefty point deduction enforced this season Durham will be eager for as many points as they can get to begin to wipe that out while Sussex will be looking to get into the promotion shake up and need a win for that.
Sussex
Sussex began the season very poorly but they started to find some form in the Royal London One Day Cup and then warmed up for this match by taking on a strong South African side in a 50 over match on Friday where they acquitted themselves well. As players begin to return from their various absences they will get stronger.
On paper at least Sussex have one of the better bowling attacks in the competition and when it fires they are going to shoot sides out for low numbers. The key will be whether they have enough in their batting to get the job done while Ed Joyce is away representing Ireland. Key players returning in that facet will help.
Durham
It was always going to need a fast start if Durham were to get themselves in position to launch a promotion charge and they never really had it prior to the break for the One Day Cup. Although they ultimately suffered disappointment in that competition they did find some form in it which they can take into the Championship.
In many ways Durham are like Sussex in that their bowling attack can often be taken for granted but their success or otherwise this season will be determined by how a young batting line up fares especially with two senior players leaving to join Surrey for this season. They will be tested with the bat here.
Team News
Sussex have Chris Jordan and Vernon Philander back for this match. Jordan has returned from the IPL while Philander is back from injury. Luke Wells is also back in the side too which should boost the batting line up.
Durham will be without Mark Wood for this one as he is away with England. Michael Richardson will miss out as he picked up a finger injury but Graham Onions comes into the squad.
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Betting
There isn’t a whole lot between these two sides so the two areas where it could be decided are in the batting depth and the difference in quality of the change bowlers and that is where I believe Sussex could have an edge.
Jofra Archer is turning into quite an all-rounder while Chris Jordan and Vernon Philander can all produce with the bat and that depth is much stronger than anything Durham can offer in this match so I’ll go with the home side to outlast Durham in this one.
Tips
WON – Back Sussex to beat Durham for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Bet365
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