The latest round of County Championship fixtures begin on Sunday with four matches in each division taking place in what those involved will hope is much better weather than the snow and icicle like temperatures that last week’s matches were played in.
Division One
We have our first televised match of the season in this round of fixtures as the champions Yorkshire head to Nottinghamshire in what should be a tasty battle at Trent Bridge. Nottinghamshire have England stars Alex Hales and Stuart Broad in their side while Joe Root plays for Yorkshire so this should be a good watch.
I’m leaning towards Yorkshire here but I’d like their top order to be in better nick when facing Jackson Bird, Stuart Broad et al but at the same time I can’t really take them on so I’ll watch this one to start with but the beauty of it is it will be in play throughout so hopefully a bet will arrive.
In the other matches Hampshire host a Middlesex side who I was going to take but they’re also a little short against a Hampshire side who have shown themselves to be real battlers this season while Surrey host Durham in another good looking match. I favour Surrey there but not enough to back them.
I will get involved in the other match though which sees Lancashire heading to Somerset. I tipped Somerset to be relegated at the start of the season and I’ve not changed my mind. In contrast I thought Lancashire would surprise a few this season and they’ve already knocked off Nottinghamshire this season.
Somerset haven’t been totally convincing with the bat although back at Taunton that might change but it would need to because in Jimmy Anderson, Neil Wagner and Kyle Jarvis the Lancashire attack looks very strong. Lancashire’s batting looks pretty good too with Petersen back on his old stomping ground.
With the bat and the ball I just see Lancashire as stronger here and at odds against I’m all over them especially as they have the option to bowl first should the conditions be conducive to doing that.
Division Two
Already in Division Two teams are playing catch up to Essex as I thought they would have to do. Having snatched a draw out of Sussex last week Essex face the other potential promotion challengers Worcestershire in the match of the round this week. This is a match which sees Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara up against Moeen Ali and Matt Henry.
We’ve not reached the stage of the season where I’m going against Essex at all. Indeed that stage may never come but I respect Worcestershire enough not to go wading in on the Eagles at a short price.
Elsewhere in the division anything could happen in the Kent vs Glamorgan match and that doesn’t look like a game to go attacking while Leicestershire head to Sussex. I make Leicestershire a big price in that match but you’ve got to think Sussex will click into gear at some point so I’ll tentatively swerve that one.
I’ll go in on the other one where I’m not so sure Derbyshire should be outsiders against Northants. In truth I’ve not yet weighed Northants up this season although I suspect they’re vulnerable. They batted brilliantly against Sussex in their opening match but then again if you take Ben Duckett’s 280 away that innings doesn’t look so good from a team perspective and they were pretty shoddy against Essex.
Derbyshire have actually gone better than I thought so far this season. Wayne Madsen being back in form is an immediate boost because he’s a class act and now that they have Billy Godleman back as well their batting looks strong. Luke Fletcher was a canny loan signing on the eve of the season starting and if he, Palladino and Carter can find their form then I sense this is a match that Derbyshire could sneak a win from.
Tips
PUSH – Back Lancashire to beat Somerset for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
PUSH – Back Derbyshire to beat Northants for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Boylesports
Back them here:
