Another round of Vitality County Championship matches get underway on Friday and as the weather in the UK finally turns to something resembling summer we should get to enjoy some decent action over the four days of these fixtures.
We had a TV match to enjoy last week but that isn’t the case with any of the matches on this occasion so if you have a bet on any of these fixtures then you’ll need to load up the respective live stream that the counties provide.
Division One
With the top two in the division not in action this week the chasing pack have the chance to make their move and look to close the gap. The champions Surrey are just three points from top spot and they will be expected to move back to the summit when they host Warwickshire at The Oval. The other undefeated side in the division are Durham and they take their unbeaten record to the Utilita Bowl for a clash with Hampshire. Worcestershire have made an acceptable start to their season and they will look to continue that after an emotional week for them when they head to Canterbury to take on Kent. The other match in the division sees Nottinghamshire meeting bottom of the table Lancashire.
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Division Two
Just the two matches take place in Division Two this week where Sussex have the chance to extend their six point lead at the top of the table. None of the three sides below them are in action so they could really skip clear if they can go to Cardiff and get the better of Glamorgan. The other match in the division comes from Wantage Road where Northamptonshire will look to snap a run of four successive draws when they take on bottom of the pile Gloucestershire.
Betting
I’m a little surprised that we can get odds against on Durham to get the better of Hampshire. I mentioned when I previewed this competition that I thought Durham were being underrated and had a nice balance which will make them tough to beat and that has been the case. They will be annoyed that their marquee signing Scott Boland didn’t work out but Peter Siddle has shown he can deliver the goods in this competition so he isn’t the worst replacement.
Hampshire are a decent side in this division but I don’t think they are quite as good without the balance that Keith Barker gives them and he is injured for this match. Hampshire go into this match off the back of an innings defeat to Surrey and generally don’t play their best cricket in this competition until the second half of the campaign when their white ball cricket has ignited their form. Durham look very strong with the bat and have enough in their attack to get the job done here.
Tips
Back Durham to beat Hampshire for a 3/10 stake at 2.10 with Boylesports
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