After five weeks of County Championship cricket to get the county campaign underway we put the red ball away and get the white ball out for the next few weeks as the Royal London One Day Cup begins on Thursday with the 18 counties dreaming of a trip to Lord’s to get their hands on the 50 over trophy.
Nottinghamshire took this title last year on their way to the limited overs double and they will be looking to defend their title successfully but this promises to be one of the stronger renewals of the tournament in recent times.
Recent Winners
2017 – Nottinghamshire
2016 – Warwickshire
2015 – Gloucestershire
2014 – Durham
2013 – Nottinghamshire
2012 – Hampshire
2011 – Surrey
2010 – Warwickshire
2009 – Hampshire
2008 – Essex
The Format
Nothing has changed with the format from last year with the 18 counties being split into the North Group and the South Group. Each county faces the other counties in their group one with each having four home matches and four away matches. At the end of the group stage the top teams from each group go into the semi-finals with second and third going into the quarter finals. The competition is played as a knockout from there.
Each match is 50 overs throughout the tournament with international rules applying from the start of the competition. The champions will be determined at Lord’s in the final on June 30.
North Group
The defending champions Nottinghamshire are in the North Group once again as are the team who they took the title from in Warwickshire. Both will be eyeing up a deep run here while the likes of Yorkshire and Lancashire will be hoping of getting a run together. Northamptonshire have been the kings of T20 recently and want to convert that into 50 over form while Worcestershire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Durham will be looking to upset the applecart.
South Group
Surrey have been the team to watch in this group in recent times. They have been beaten in the last three finals while Gloucestershire were the last South Group team to win the competition. Hampshire have a big reputation that they will want to live up to while Essex are the Championship champions and will want a 50 over pot too. Sussex have a solid squad and could be dangerous while Kent, Glamorgan and Somerset should not be written off, neither should Middlesex who will boast a number of potential England players in their ranks.
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Betting
I’ll go with two bets in this tournament this season with my main bet being a fairly obvious one in Surrey. Clearly the standout signing of Virat Kohli for half of the group stage of this competition is a huge boost but even without him there is a lot to like about this Surrey side. In Jason Roy, Morne Morkel and Tom Curran they have an international trio in their ranks and when you add in the likes of Mark Stoneman, Sam Curran and Ben Foakes they have a very strong squad. Players like Ollie Pope and Rory Burns are among the better ones in the country too and having been beaten in the final for the last three years, Surrey have all the tools to go one better here.
I’ll have a bit of a saver on a Warwickshire side who know how to win this competition and who have a lovely mix of youth and experience in their side. Ian Bell remains one of the best one day batsmen in the country while the likes of Sam Hain, Adam Hose and Dominic Sibley are good young players. Olly Stone is one of the best bowlers in the country too and he is well supported with a mix of spin, medium pace and good quality seamers I expect Warwickshire to make it to the business end too.
Tips
Back Surrey to win Royal London One Day Cup (e/w) for a 3/10 stake at 10.00 with Boylesports (1/2 1-2)
Back them here:
Back Warwickshire to win Royal London One Day Cup (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 11.00 with William Hill (1/2 1-2)
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