The second week of the Specsavers County Championship season begins on Sunday as six more matches across the two divisions take place in another busy week of action.
We have three matches in each division with some counties playing for the second time in their campaigns and some starting their seasons out. The weather is generally set fair so hopefully we get a decent week of action.
Division One
The three matches in the top flight sees Yorkshire start their title defence when they host Hampshire at Headingley while England’s new ball pairing will be in opposition when Lancashire play Nottinghamshire at Old Trafford. The other game sees Middlesex host Warwickshire in a tasty clash at Lord’s.
Yorkshire are very short against Hampshire. That is entirely understandable. They are the defending champions and although the likes of Joe Root will be missing from their side they are loaded with internationals including David Willey and Adil Rashid.
I toyed with taking Hampshire for a first innings lead as you would think Hampshire will exercise their option to bowl first at Headingley in April and they could burgle a few early wickets but in the end it is hard to go against this Yorkshire side in any market.
Lancashire look a big price on paper against Nottinghamshire but the Outlaws played last week and that could be significant. Having Stuart Broad back gives their attack an even stronger look too so all of a sudden the value on Lancashire lessens but that match should throw up some in play betting options which hopefully we can tuck into later in the week.
I do like a bet in the other game though as Warwickshire head to Lord’s off the back of a solid outing against Hampshire last week. The Bears have a really good record at HQ and having had a game already they should have an advantage over Middlesex for whom Adam Voges only flew into the country earlier in the week and might take a few days to adjust to conditions.
In fairness these two sides look really strong for this competition but I like Warwickshire’s batting slightly more and I think they have the edge in the bowling depth too. I’ll take them to build on the draw at Hampshire last week with a win here.
Division Two
Glamorgan and Leicestershire begin their campaigns in Cardiff on Sunday while Gloucestershire host Derbyshire who will be playing their first match with the current join favourites for the division, Sussex and Essex, meeting in a big match at Hove.
I can’t get much of a feel for the Glamorgan vs Leicestershire game. Leicestershire have made plenty of winter signings who will make their debuts here but that doesn’t mean they will have gelled yet while Glamorgan have some key additions of their own.
I was tempted by Gloucestershire but the signing of Luke Fletcher for Derbyshire probably balances that game out a little. Hopefully some in-running potential comes from that game and if it does then I will get stuck into that during the game.
I do like the other game though where it appears the Sussex injuries and absences aren’t getting as much respect as they should be getting. Luke Wright remains out injured and while Chris Nash is back in the squad he isn’t certain to play. Chris Jordan is another who is out while his elbow troubles settle down.
If we contrast that to Essex who have Alastair Cook available and already scoring runs and both Ravi Bopara and Ryan ten Doeschate are around rather than being at the IPL. Jesse Ryder and a decent seam attack are in place too and we saw glimpses of how strong Essex are going to be this season in their win against Gloucestershire last week.
I’m very surprised with all of Sussex’s personnel issues that Essex are odds against especially when they have the option of bowling first if conditions suit. Essex are too big to ignore here.
Tips
PUSH – Back Warwickshire to beat Middlesex for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
PUSH – Back Essex to beat Sussex for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Titanbet
Back them here:
