County Championship 2015

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The new domestic cricket season is less than a week away now so it's time to start the 1st thread of the year, the County Championship. I'll start it with one thread but if it overflows I'll cut it into a thread for each division. I've done a preview for each division which I'll put up in the next two posts but just a quick overview of the rules and format for those new to domestic cricket and the wonderful betting opportunities it brings. We have two divisions of 9 counties. At the end of the season the top 2 from Division 2 replace the bottom 2 of Division 1. You now get 16pts for a win, 3 for a draw and nothing for losing. All matches in this competition are 4 days long and 2 innings per side. You also score bonus points in the 1st innings of each match and they are scored as follows: Batting: 200-249 runs = 1pt 250-299 runs = 2pts 300-349 runs = 3pts 350-399 runs = 4pts 400 runs and over = 5pts Bowling: 3-5 wickets = 1pt 6-8 wickets = 2pts 9 or 10 wickets = 3pts Note: You can only score bonus points in the 1st 110 overs of each 1st innings. Season runs from April to September and begins on Sunday. Let's hope it's a decent season with plenty of involvement like the recent cricket threads on PL. I know we've lots of county fans on PL so this should be another good thread. Previews to follow shortly.

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Re: County Championship 2015 Division One preview: Durham were unable to defend their County Championship title in 2014 but they did win a one day trophy to confirm themselves as one of the best sides in the country and that success will give them the belief they can regain their four day title this year. Durham have a number of young players who gained some big experience last year and that can pay dividends for them this season. The biggest thing for Durham is that they’ve lost nobody from last season’s squad other than the released Gareth Breese. If Durham are to regain their title then they are going to need to avoid major England call ups. Ben Stokes and Mark Wood will miss the start of the campaign which isn’t ideal while Scott Borthwick’s runs could yet force him into the Test side. Graham Onions and Chris Rushworth will be key players once again but one positive for Durham is that overseas player John Hastings is available all season and he’ll be vital to them. If they can avoid England call ups and major injuries this Durham squad can regain their crown. Last season: 5th Overseas Player(s): John Hastings Key Players: Scott Borthwick & Graham Onions One to watch: Paul Coughlin – talented all-rounder who has been about a couple of years but got his chance towards the end of last season and can capitalise this season Best Odds: 8/1 General Predicted Finishing Position: 1st Hampshire return to the top flight having landed the Division Two title last year and if they are to stay in the division then they are going to have to ensure they score the required amount of runs. I don’t see them having the problem with the ball that some promoted sides have had but they are light in batting depth so any England call up to James Vince could be damaging as could any major injury. Kyle Abbott has left but Hampshire have bolstered their seam bowling unit with the additions of Jackson Bird, Andre Adams and Gareth Berg while Yasir Arafat is a clever signing for the one day competitions. Added responsibility for the classy James Vince is a good thing while the likes of Will Smith and Adams both have plenty of Division One experience. This will be a tough first season back for Hampshire but they have enough to keep their heads above water while challenging strongly in the one day competitions as always. Last season: 1st in Division 2 Overseas Player(s): Jackson Bird (until July), Yasir Arafat (one day competitions) Key Players: James Vince and Andre Adams One to watch: Brad Wheal – The South African quick has impressed in a trial and looks set to make an impression this season Best Odds: 12/1 General Predicted Finishing Position: 7th Middlesex just about kept their heads above water last season but they face another season of struggle in this campaign. Chris Rogers’ runs were a vital part of them staying up last season but he doesn’t return for this year and his replacement Adam Voges is now only there for the first month of the campaign so all of a sudden Middlesex are looking for an overseas player who will score a bucket load of runs and a new captain. Eoin Morgan misses the first two months of the season at the IPL but Sam Robson and Steven Finn could be seen more often which would be positive. Middlesex’s season will largely centre around who they can get in as overseas player and how badly England come calling. One positive from the winter has been the return of Nick Compton who has signed from Somerset. He is a run machine at this level but the flip side to that is Adam Rossington, Gareth Berg and Joe Denly have all moved on. This will be another season of struggle for Middlesex, particularly if someone doesn’t stand up and be counted with the bat, and it may well be a little too much for them to survive. Last season: 7th Overseas Player(s): Adam Voges (until May) Key Players: Sam Robson & Steven Finn One to watch: Andrew Balbirnie – yet to break through at county level but had a good World Cup with Ireland and may be needed to fill in with the bat Best Odds: 14/1 Paddy Power, Coral Predicted Finishing Position: 8th Nottinghamshire were well touted for the title last season but never really got themselves in the mix. Bowling was an issue for them last season and on the face of it that would appear the issue going into this season too. As with previous seasons they have one of the stronger batting line ups in the country but there doesn’t look to be too much more with the ball which is a real concern. They don’t need England to come calling to the likes of Alex Hales, James Taylor and even Samit Patel too often if they are to put up a serious challenge this season. Brendan Taylor is a really good signing at this level and he negates the early season loss of Michael Lumb who is injured. For Nottinghamshire to put up a title challenge Vernon Philander and then Ben Hilfenhaus are going to have to take an awful lot of wickets but I don’t see them getting the necessary support with Andre Adams having moved on even allowing for the signing of Will Gidman. He is unproven at this level which isn’t ideal. I don’t expect Nottinghamshire to struggle but I don’t see them as title challengers either. Last season: 4th Overseas Player(s): Vernon Philander (until June), Ben Hilfenhaus (June onwards), Darren Sammy (T20 after the IPL) Key Players: Alex Hales & Luke Fletcher One to watch: Brett Hutton – been on the fringes for the last season or two but strong second XI performances should see him included more often this season Best Odds: 5/1 Betfair Predicted Finishing Position: 5th Somerset looked in trouble for much of last season before a good finale got them safely into mid-table and having made some good signings in the winter including the impressive Matthew Maynard as Director of Cricket, they will be looking to push on from there. Jim Allenby and Tom Cooper have arrived ready to make a big impact but as always much will depend on the wicket at Taunton where Somerset have regularly struggled to force a result. Somerset go into the new campaign faced with the likelihood of not seeing Craig Kieswetter all season due to his eye injury. That is a blow, as is losing Compton to Middlesex but in Allenby and Cooper they have made two really good signings both for the long format of the game and the one day formats where Somerset should so well again. Chris Gayle will ensure cricket is popular during his T20 stint and that buzz could come through to the longer formats but until they convince me they can get results at home I don’t see them challenging for the title in four day cricket but a one day title wouldn’t surprise. Last season: 6th Overseas Player(s): Abdur Rehman, Sohail Tanvir (first half of T20), Corey Anderson (second half of T20), Chris Gayle (T20) Key Players: Jim Allenby & Marcus Trescothick One to watch: Alex Barrow – probably best known for the Mankad incident of two years ago but with Kieswetter missing he has a chance to nail down a permanent place Best Odds: 10/1 Paddy Power, Coral Predicted Finishing Position: 6th Sussex finished 2014 like a train to end up third in the Championship table and a couple of shrewd seam signings could give them the firepower for another tilt at the title but an aging side is getting no younger and will need some young blood to come through with the bat if they are to have the depth to go all the way especially with Matt Prior struggling with injury and Rory Hamilton-Brown now retired. Tymal Mills and Ajmal Shahzad have been added to provide real quality in the seam attack but if Sussex are to run for the title then their top three of Chris Nash, Ed Joyce and Luke Wells are going to need big seasons. Luke Wright will chip in with the occasional crucial innings and if between them they score the necessary runs another title could await the Hove faithful. I’m not convinced there are enough runs in them though so while they will go well I prefer others this season. Last season: 3rd Overseas Player(s): Steve Magoffin, Mahela Jayawardene (T20) Key Players: Ed Joyce & Steve Magoffin One to watch: Tymal Mills – moved away from Essex for a fresh start and to catch the England selectors’ eyes so expect a big season from the express quick Best Odds: 17/2 Bwin Predicted Finishing Position: 4th Warwickshire had an excellent campaign in 2014 where they were competitive on all fronts, the highlight of which was a first T20 title on home soil. In the Championship they put up the strongest challenge to Yorkshire despite numerous crucial injuries to their bowling attack and if they have a little more luck with injuries then another Championship title may not be beyond them. One potential issue is England call ups and they will already be without Jonathan Trott for the start of the season. A successful tour of the Caribbean will ensure he is rarely seen which won’t be ideal. One thing in Warwickshire’s favour is the ability to have kept last season’s squad in tact. Signing Jeetan Patel for another season could be a masterstroke but whether they have the batting depth to put up enough runs will determine how well they go this season. Although Trott and Bell may not be seen too often the likes of Varun Chopra, Sam Hain and Rikki Clarke have runs in them but for me not quite enough to lead them to the title so another tilt at a one day competition could be about as good as it gets especially if England keep Chris Woakes for too long. Last season: 2nd Overseas Player(s): Jeetan Patel, Brendon McCullum (T20) Key Players: Varun Chopra & Chris Woakes One to watch: Sam Hain – talented young batsman who will really need to stand up and score big runs in the potential absence of Trott and Bell Best Odds: 9/2 General Predicted Finishing Position: 3rd Worcestershire rode off the back of a successful Saeed Ajmal to gain promotion from Division Two last season but with him not around for the whole of this season they will need to find someone else to stand up with the ball. Sachithra Senanayake has been signed to replicate the mystery Ajmal provides but a lack of experience in England isn’t ideal. Alex Gidman has been signed with the aim of replacing Moeen who is likely to be away with England a lot this summer. Worcestershire were outclassed the last time they were in the top flight and a lack of runs in the absence of Moeen is a real concern. Saeed Ajmal arrives in the second half of the season and his impact should be important but whether the expected damage is retrievable by then remains to be seen. I expect this to be a long, hard season for Steve Rhodes’ men with the comfort blanket of a run in a one day competition possibly the only respite. Last season: 2nd in Division 2 Overseas Player(s): Sachithra Senanayake (first half of the season), Saeed Ajmal (second half of the season), Colin Munro (T20) Key Players: Daryl Mitchell & Jack Shantry One to watch: Richard Oliver – opening batsman came into the game late but he is good enough to make up for lost time Best Odds: 50/1 General Predicted Finishing Position: 9th Yorkshire dominated the County Championship last season and won the title a lot more comfortably than the final margin showed and they will be looking to follow that up with another title this season but plenty is changing at Yorkshire. Their chairman has left to take up a role with the ECB, Jason Gillespie is a man in demand and their signings suggest a bigger emphasis could be placed in one day cricket with Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell big signings for the season ahead. Yorkshire had the best batting line up in the country and the best bowling attack last season but already that side has been broken up with the likes of Adam Lyth, Adil Rashid, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Balance, Joe Root and Liam Plunkett all called into the England squad for the early season tour of the Caribbean. While they have depth with their batting and classy overseas players throughout the season any injuries would stretch them to the limit. I still expect a strong defence from Yorkshire but absentees can ensure they find a side too good over the entire campaign. Last season: 1st Overseas Player(s): Cheteshwar Pujara (until end of May), Aaron Finch (June onwards), Glenn Maxwell (T20), Kane Williamson (September) Key Players: Andrew Gale & Jack Brooks One to watch: Jack Leaning – with key batsmen away there will be plenty of opportunity for Leaning to provide big runs over the course of the season Best Odds: 3/1 Bet365, Betway Predicted Finishing Position: 2nd

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Re: County Championship 2015 Division Two preview: Derbyshire had a year of stability last year after relegation the year before but Graeme Welch has had a year in the hot seat and been able to put his philosophy on the side and with that build the side he wants to push for promotion in this campaign. Derbyshire captain Wayne Madsen has spoken about playing the one day formats better this season and with Tillakaratne Dilshan in for most of the season that appears a given but I’m sure long term success involves a successful four day side. Winter turnover was quite busy at the Racecourse ground. Martin Guptill was secured as overseas player but his call up for New Zealand’s tour of England could see Dilshan arrive sooner. Shiv Thakor has been taken from Leicestershire and he joins Wayne White to provide support for the likes of Mark Footitt and Tony Palladino with the ball. Footitt was one of the best bowlers in the country last season and if Derbyshire are to get promoted they will need him at his best again but not too good that England are alerted. Derbyshire should be competitive but others look better equipped for promotion this season. Last season: 4th Overseas Player(s): Martin Guptill (April), Tillkaratne Dilshan (May onwards), Nathan Rimmington (T20) Key Players: Wayne Madsen & Mark Footitt One to watch: Greg Cork – son on Dominic broke into the side last season and there is much more to come in this campaign Best Odds: 8/1 General Predicted Finishing Position: 5th Essex have been perennial nearly boys when it has come to the Championship in the last few seasons but they are well set up for another tilt at promotion in this campaign even though they have lost Tymal Mills and Ben Foakes since last season. Jesse Ryder has been signed up again and looks set to be in Chelmsford all summer which is a boost and Essex may see more of Ravi Bopara than they are used to when he comes back from the IPL. Injuries didn’t help Essex last season but if the likes of Graham Napier, Reece Topley and David Masters avoid injury then Essex have the bowling attack to go very well. Runs are almost a given even without Foakes with the likes of Jaik Mickleburgh, Tom Westley, Nick Browne and James Foster all more than good enough to provide support for a Jesse Ryder who is quality on his day. Essex will be there or thereabouts but this is a strong league this year and could just be too strong for them again. A one day title might be possible though. Last season: 3rd Overseas Player(s): Jesse Ryder, Shaun Tait (T20) Key Players: Ravi Bopara & David Masters One to watch: Nick Browne – batsman broke into the side last season with good success and he can take advantage of high profile absentees Best Odds: 5/1 Boylesports Predicted Finishing Position: 3rd Glamorgan had a season of struggle last year and look set for a repeat this season. Murray Goodwin has retired since last season and they have lost Jim Allenby to Somerset. He was their leading scorer and second highest wicket taker last year so they almost lost two players in one when he left. Worse news came at the start of the month when it was confirmed Michael Hogan will miss the start of the season through injury. Andy Carter has been called in for a month’s loan from Nottinghamshire to cover for the injury to Michael Hogan but Hogan is one of the best bowlers in the country so he will still be a loss. Colin Ingram has joined on the Kolpak ruling and his fellow South African Jacques Rudolph has taken over the captaincy. Both men will need to score bucket loads of runs if Glamorgan are to get anywhere this season but even then I don’t see them having the attack to be very competitive. Depending on how badly the start to the season is they may end up propping up the pack. Last season: 8th Overseas Player(s): Jacques Rudolph Key Players: Colin Ingram & Michael Hogan One to watch: Ruaidhri Smith – young all rounder is likely to get more game time this year with injuries already taking their toll Best Odds: 20/1 BetVictor, Stan James Predicted Finishing Position: 9th Gloucestershire punched above their weight last season when a young side was competitive in a number of four day matches and went as well as they could in the one day formats but a poor four day campaign ultimately cost John Bracewell his job. Former heroes Richard Dawson and Ian Harvey have taken over the reins in charge of the side and they have added some astute experienced signings to compliment the quality youngsters they have. One of the signings coming in over the winter is Geraint Jones and the former Ashes winner will skipper the side with Michael Klinger not coming over until after the Indian Premier League. Peter Handscomb arrives with a good reputation back in Australia but Gloucestershire will have to deal with the loss of the Gidman brothers who have been instrumental in their success in recent seasons. That said the young players are a year older so I expect progression of some sort but only slight progression. Last season: 7th Overseas Player(s): Michael Klinger (June onwards) Key Players: Geraint Jones & Peter Handscomb One to watch: Craig Miles – been around for a couple of years but will be the leader of the attack now Will Gidman has moved on Best Odds: 33/1 Bwin Predicted Finishing Position: 7th Kent seem to have gone round in circles over the last couple of seasons but Jimmy Adams has talked up their chances of success in 2015 and he should know better than anyone what they are capable of. Rob Key has gone back in as captain and they have re-signed Matt Coles from Hampshire and Joe Denly from Middlesex to boost their chances of success. 2014 was a bit of a struggle for Kent in four day cricket but the likes of Adam Riley, Sam Billings and Alex Blake gained experience and turned into players Kent can rely on. Sadly Mark Davies’ injuries have led to him retiring so a young Kent attack will need to stand up and be counted. That attack could do with an experienced overseas head to guide them but Kent haven’t committed to anyone yet and may not do all season. I think they have the runs in them to stay away from the bottom and if Darren Stevens and Matt Coles go extremely well they could be part of the promotion mix but I’m expecting a mundane mid-table season for the Spitfires despite Adams’ outlook. Last season: 6th Overseas Player(s): None Key Players: Rob Key & Darren Stevens One to watch: Adam Riley – broke through last season to usurp Tredwell from the side and he’s ready to kick on to the next level Best Odds: 10/1 Betway Predicted Finishing Position: 6th Lancashire’s yo-yoing between the divisions continued last season when they were relegated and they have taken off field action since then with Ashley Giles coming in to coach the side permanently. He has been given the task of getting Lancashire back to the top flight but I’m not convinced it is automatic that he will do it straight away. Giles acted swiftly to sign Alviro Petersen on a Kolpak and then when Ashwell Prince decided retirement wasn’t for him after all that left Lancashire with a very strong looking batting line up but with Kyle Hogg retiring, Glen Chapple easing his work load and Oliver Newby released there are holes in the bowling attack. One of the men who were going to fill the void was Peter Siddle but he has been called into the Australian Test tours so he is only here for a month now. James Faulkner is a handy replacement while George Edwards is a good signing from Surrey but I just wonder if Lancashire have enough in their attack to get back up at the first time of asking. If they do then with runs almost a given they could well make the top two but I fancy them to fall a touch short. Last season: 8th in Division 1 Overseas Player(s): Peter Siddle (April), James Faulkner (After IPL) Key Players: Ashwell Prince & Tom Smith One to watch: George Edwards – signed from Surrey with a big reputation which he’ll need to fulfil this season Best Odds: 10/3 General Predicted Finishing Position: 4th Leicestershire have now gone two years without a win in the County Championship so they can only get better and with all change in terms of personnel off the field there is a lot more optimism around Grace Road going into this season despite a number of players leaving on the field in the winter. Andrew McDonald has taken over the coaching reins having previously played for Leicestershire and he’ll look to put his wealth of playing experience to good use here. McDonald has signed his Sydney Thunder teammate Mark Cosgrove for the season and installed him as captain. Fellow Australian Clint McKay has joined as overseas player for the season so there are signs of optimism but the losses of Josh Cobb, Greg Smith, Shiv Thakor, Anthony Ireland and Nathan Buck are all going to be felt. Despite that Angus Robson, Niall O’Brien, Ollie Freckingham and Jigar Naik form a spine of a decent enough side who should be doing much better than they have been. Leicestershire aren’t suddenly going to turn into world beaters overnight but they might pick one or two off as they go along this season and maybe push again in the T20. Last season: 9th Overseas Player(s): Clint McKay (end of April onwards), Grant Elliott (T20) Key Players: Mark Cosgrove & Angus Robson One to watch: Atif Sheikh – quick left armer has the potential to do some damage after move from Derbyshire Best Odds: 50/1 General Predicted Finishing Position: 8th Northamptonshire had a season to forget last year and people have paid the price for that with the Chief Executive moving on and a much more ruthless outlook taking over. On the pitch the Steelbacks really struggled, losing a number of matches by an innings in what was a disastrous campaign from start to finish. Things needed to be rebuilt on the pitch, especially with the bat and the signings of Josh Cobb and Adam Rossington are good ones while Richard Levi has become a Kolpak signing and Alex Wakely will be like a new signing after he missed the whole of last season with an injury. Importantly Northants have kept hold of the majority of the bowling attack that got them up two years ago and if the batsmen back them up this can be another successful season on the field despite the disaster of last season. If Crook, Willey and Azharullah plough through batsmen at this level again don’t be surprised if Northants are toasting a return to the big time at the end of the season. Last season: 9th in Division 1 Overseas Player(s): Rory Kleinveldt, Shahid Afridi (T20) Key Players: Alex Wakely & David Willey One to watch: Ben Duckett – wicket keeper batsman has been touted to be a star and this could be the season he shows it Best Odds: 9/1 Betway Predicted Finishing Position: 1st Surrey are going to be the centre of attention in Division Two this season. They are never short of a few quid to spend and they’ve really spent it this season as this is the season they have laid a marker down that they want promotion in 2015. Kumar Sangakkara was an eye catching acquisition as overseas player but then the Kevin Pietersen carrot was dangled and Surrey look to have a hungry and inspired Pietersen looking to fill his boots against county attacks all summer. Promotion is the only option for Surrey this season with the quality of squad they’ve got. In truth they should’ve done a lot better than they did last year but Gareth Batty has a good record as captain and the likes of Ben Foakes and David Balcombe bring success at this level in with them. Injuries aren’t going to hamper Surrey as their squad depth is as strong as there is in this division and if the likes of Stuart Meaker, Balcombe and Chris Tremlett fire on all cylinders they’re very much the team to beat. I can’t see them not getting promoted and I wouldn’t rule out success in a one day competition either but it may be that while all the attention surrounds them someone breaks clear in the Championship and Surrey aren’t quite able to peg them back, especially if the Kevin Pietersen saga has yet another nasty twist. Last season: 5th Overseas Player(s): Kumar Sangakkara, Moises Henriques (T20) Key Players: Kumar Sangakkara & Kevin Pietersen One to watch: Ben Foakes – Foakes moved from Essex to be successful and is a classy batsman at this level and he can take his game to another level with this move Best Odds: 3/1 General Predicted Finishing Position: 2nd

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Re: County Championship 2015 Outright bets then. Quite a few as always. Apologies for the short notice with these. Been a crazy week with all going on. Will do them across a few posts. Some are covered in the previews above so I won't elaborate too much on those. 3pts ew Durham to win Division 1 8/1 Boylesports (1/4 1-3) Yorkshire are worthy favourites but as I've said above they are crippled by England call ups before the season has even started and if the likes of Alex Lees and Jack Brooks continue to go well then they're going to lose even more as the season goes on so I'm keen to take them on and I think Durham offer the best value. With Keaton Jennings now established at this level Durham have a solid batting line up and John Hastings' appearance for the whole season makes them very strong with the ball. Durham winning the RL One Day Cup last year showed they are still major players in the county game and at 8/1 they're worth backing to prove that with the big one again this season. 1.5pts ew Northants to win Division 2 9/1 Betway (1/5 1-3) Obviously Surrey and Lancashire are getting plenty of attention here and in Surrey's case rightly so. They look really strong but a strong Surrey often attracts the England selectors. In truth their season largely revolves around Kevin Pietersen but if he scores a bucket load of runs England will soon come calling and if he doesn't he might detract from the team. Surrey never seem to avoid injuries with the ball either. Lancashire lack a bowler or two for my liking so I'm keen to take them both on. Northants have been painted as a picture of doom and gloom but I'm not convinced that is the case. Of course it would be nice if the likes of Middlebrook and Sales were still around but in Stephen Peters they have one of the divisions top batsmen to bat around and crucially the pace trio of Steven Crook, Azharullah and David Willey are still in tandem and Rory Kleinveldt compliments them nicely. Man for man there are better sides in the division but I like Northants' bowling attack and with some quick scoring batsmen in their side capable of moving matches on to give that attack time to bowl sides out I think this could be a much better season for Northants than the pessimists suggest.

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Re: County Championship 2015 Season top batsmen. 1pt ew S.Borthwick Top Division One Batsman 33/1 Stan James (1/4 1-5) 1pt ew T.Cooper Top Division One Batsman 40/1 BetVictor (1/4 1-5) Scott Borthwick has turned himself into quite some batsman these days. He was the sixth highest batsman in Division One last year and when you think of those ahead of him Adam Lyth is already hampered by an England call up, Chris Rogers is nowhere to be seen this year and Ashwell Prince is playing in Division Two he doesn't need to improve much to land the crown here. Only Ed Joyce and Riki Wessels were above him last season who line up again this season and I'm not convinced the latter didn't just have a season to remember last year, one which he won't repeat. The encouraging thing from a Borthwick point of view is that he clearly can score runs even on the tricky wickets at Durham so with nice pitches in Southampton and Worcester replacing lively ones from Old Trafford and Northampton the leggie could well go even better this season. Given he doesn't need to improve much 33/1 looks a big price especially when the majority of heavy hitters with the bat are in the bottom division. One signing that caught my eye this season is Tom Cooper for Somerset and I quite like the idea of him going really well this season. All Australian players like to attack and his home wicket is a perfect one for him to do that but he's come over here to try and force his way into the Australia test reckoning and to do that he'll have to bat responsibly and score a bucket load of runs, something he is more than capable of doing. At the minute the South Australian Dutch international is probably better known for his one day batting but he has a good technique and with Somerset's batting line up thinning out by the season he is going to have a big role to play for them. On the best ground in the country to score runs on he has the quality to deliver a big season and you would think he almost has to be involved in the run scoring this season if he avoids injury. 1.5pts ew C.Ingram Top Division 2 Batsman 40/1 Stan James (1/4 1-5) 1pt ew G.Roderick Top Division 2 Batsman 66/1 Stan James (1/4 1-5) All the talk in Division Two is centred around the marquee Surrey signings of Kevin Pietersen and Kumar Sangakkara and it should be because they are world class batsmen but in terms of betting I don't think we need to worry too much about Kevin Pietersen. If he scores enough runs to be looking good in this market England will soon come calling again and if he doesn't he isn't a factor anyway. Sangakkara is more of a factor but value is pretty skinny in what is a wide open field. Ashwell Prince and Alviro Petersen are also in this division to make it very competitive but their South African counterpart Colin Ingram is one who could be priced up wrongly. He was the second highest scoring batsman in the South African domestic tournament over the winter so he arrives in Wales in good form and with Allenby and Goodwin no longer there he is going to need to score a bucket load of runs. He has that ability in him and now that he has given up chances of a South Africa recall we know he's here all summer so at 40/1 he is a big price to get involved with the galaxy of international stars in this division. One young player I'm massively keen on is Gareth Roderick. I took him last season but he busted a finger early on in the season and his chances of being competitive went out of the window. In the end he was restricted to just four matches last season but he still scored nearly 500 runs and averaged well over 50 for the matches that he did play in. With Alex Gidman departed he is going to bat higher this season, maybe even as high as number three and that is perfect for us. He is fully fit starting the season and made a ton in a University match last week so he has already been filling his boots in pre-season. I think this kid has the potential to go right to the top and if there was a silver lining to last season's injuries it was that it restricted his output enough for him to go unnoticed going into this season. I certainly noticed him though and at 66/1 he's a massive runner even in a high class field this season.

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Re: County Championship 2015 Top bowlers. 2pts ew S.Magoffin Top Division One Bowler 10/1 Coral (1/4 1-4) 1pt ew J.Hastings Top Division One Bowler 28/1 Bet365 (1/4 1-4) I'm not usually a fan of taking overseas signings from countries who tour England that season but these two look worth making an exception for. Steve Magoffin was the leading wicket taker last season even though he missed a match and having not played the Australian domestic season he will come into this season totally fresh and ready to deliver yet more wicket taking deliveries. We know last season wasn't a one off too because he was second in wickets the season before and still batsmen haven't really got to grips with his late swing. Sussex are major players this season and his wickets will once again be a major reason why. With Jack Brooks on the fringes of an England call up of some kind I think Magoffin could continue his dominance this season. One man who could stop that is big John Hastings. The Duke is an insane workhorse and he will get through a lot of overs this season and I dare say he'll enjoy doing it too. He arrived after the IPL last season so only played eight matches but he still took 37 wickets and had he played the other eight matches with the same strike rate he would have taken 74 wickets, two more than Magoffin led the division with so on that form Hastings has to have every chance. Hastings has played the Australian domestic season and looked really good in the Big Bash against some top batsmen. That quality isn't in this division this season and if Ben Stokes is away for a while Hastings will have even more work to get through which should in theory lead to more wickets from him especially if batsmen struggle against Rushworth and Onions and let their guard down thinking he is a bit of respite. He isn't. He's a dangerous bowler who is overpriced here. 1pt ew M.Azharullah Top Division 2 Bowler 20/1 Stan James (1/4 1-4) 1pt ew R.Topley Top Division 2 Bowler 20/1 Stan James (1/4 1-4) Casual cricket fans probably only know Ahzarullah as a yorker spearing bowler with the white ball but he's a lot more than that and he can show that again this season. He was the 13th leading wicket taker in Division 1 last season in an absolutely awful side who were beaten by an innings in more matches than they would like to remember but his 46 wickets shouldn't go unnoticed. Northants won't be losing matches by an innings this season so the pace man should be bowling a lot more and he can be dangerous once again. He is deceptively quick, swings the ball naturally and with reverse and that yorker can be devastating so even though he may not get the new ball if everyone is fit this season he has the skills not to need it. Mark Footitt could clean up again but I doubt he'll replicate last season's form and even if he does he won't avoid England's clutches for much longer so Azharullah can be one to take advantage. Reece Topley has been talked about as a future England bowler for a while and a couple of interviews he did where he said his dream is to play Test cricket didn't pass by without me noticing. I think he's a while away from that just yet but England are crying out for a left arm seamer on the international scene so he might only be one good season away and everything is in place for that season to be this one if he can stay fit. He is another one who swings the ball and all batsmen hate left arm seamers so he has an advantage over half the field immediately. Injuries restricted the tall left armer to just four appearances in the Championship last season but he still took 25 wickets in those matches and obviously that strike rate for a whole season would see him claiming 100 wickets. He won't get that many this season but if Footitt isn't as good or if he is the left armer England don't ignore then we're looking at a much lower winning total. Footitt took 82 wickets last year which was crazy but he could well be away for a while this season. Saeed Ajmal came second with 63 and he's been promoted, Michael Hogan also took 63 and he misses the start of the season with a hamstring injury which is never nice for a bowler and even Jack Shantry in fourth from last season has been promoted so based on who is left 56 could be the benchmark. That is definitely in Topley's range based on his four games last year.

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Re: County Championship 2015 Team/division specials. 2pts W.Smith Top Hampshire Season Batsman 11/2 Stan James Hampshire's batting line up is a talented one and has a good mix of attack and solidity. Michael Carberry, Sean Ervine and James Vince play their shots and attack while Jimmy Adams, Liam Dawson and Will Smith will provide the glue for them to bat around. In terms of the odds Smith might have been forgotten here. Not only is he a very good batsman in his own right but he has oodles of Division 1 experience which few Hampshire batsmen have in recent times and one area where there is a real difference between the two divisions is the depth in quality in the bowling attacks. It remains to be seen if Carberry, Vince and Ervine can provide flourishing shot making but if they can't Smith is overpriced as a man who holds it all together. 2pts A.Hales Top Nottinghamshire Season Batsman 11/2 Betfred I'm taking a slight risk here because Hales is likely to be away for one day series although that isn't guaranteed in fairness. One positive is that if he is James Taylor is likely to join him and with Michael Lumb missing the start of the season with injury nobody at the top of the order is likely to play the whole campaign for the Outlaws. Alex Hales is known as a one day player but he had a solid four day season last year which was ironic because for so often in one day cricket he couldn't lay bat on ball. Bowlers in England panic immediately when batsmen come at them and with Hales quality on the front and back foot he is going to have all he needs for another big season. This is a competitive field but Hales will open when he plays and he's a big price as long as England don't take him for longer than they currently do. If they amazingly leave him out for whatever reason then it really is happy days. 2pts R.Oliver Top Worcestershire Season Batsman 8/1 Betfred One man who will be away a lot this year is Moeen Ali so someone will need to stand up and score some runs for Worcestershire. Last season that man was Daryl Mitchell but he might find captaining a potentially struggling side more of a challenge this season and that could affect his batting. If it does then someone is going to land this market at a rather tasty price. Of course Alex Gidman would be favourite but he isn't unassailable and the value could lie in the aggressive opening batsman. Oliver was late into first-class cricket so will be looking to make up for lost time and although he didn't play all of last season the seven matches he did play yielded well over 500 runs at a nick just under 40 so a repeat of that in a team which isn't likely to go as well this season should be more than enough. As he opens the batting he'll have maximum opportunity to top score and 8/1 is a more than fair price to me. 2pts N.Browne Top Essex Season Batsman 4/1 Bet365 Essex have a talented batting line up but Ravi Bopara isn't an issue this season as he's away in the IPL for the opening two months of the campaign so it may be that one of their young top order steals his thunder this season. Nick Browne certainly has the talent to be that man. The left hander broke into the side last season and made 650 runs in nine matches at an average just under 55. That is some impression to make and with Bopara and ten Doeschate away to begin with that ensures he will start the season in the side. Clearly Jesse Ryder, James Foster and particularly Tom Westley are live contenders too but there could be more to come from Browne now that he is established so the 4/1 on him looks a little big. 1pt G.Roderick Top Gloucestershire Season Batsman 14/1 Betfred Silly price. Gone into detail as to why above but when he was 8/1 last season when Michael Klinger was around for the whole season (unlike this one where he's at the IPL for the first two months), and Alex Gidman was there too I've no idea how he has become 14/1 given their absence. I'm not complaining though! 2pts S.Peters Top Northamptonshire Season Batsman 11/2 Betfred Northants have had a spring clean with their batting line up ahead of the new season but one man who remains is Stephen Peters and while they have added quality strokeplayers like Richard Levi, Josh Cobb and Adam Rossington they still need some experience and solidity to bat around and that man is Stephen Peters. Peters is no longer captain which will help his batting and he is a real class act still even though he's getting on a bit now. He fell out with certain people last season which didn't help his cause but he has always scored runs at this level and I'm sure he will do again. Once again he opens the batting so he'll bat in every innings Northants have should he stay fit. That alone makes this a daft price but when you add his style and record into the mix then the price is even crazier. 1pt K.Jarvis Top Lancashire Season Bowler 7/1 Bet365 Lancashire lack a real top class bowler for the entire season with Siddle and Faulkner sharing overseas duties and Anderson away with England a lot. Kyle Hogg has retired, Glen Chapple won't play every match and Kabir Ali and Oliver Newby have been released. One man who stays is the man who turned his back on Zimbabwe last season to take up a position with Lancashire and exits could well have played right into his hands. Just because he is Zimbabwean don't think he's a mug. He isn't. He's quick and moves the ball and could well turn out to be the leader of this attack even though Lancashire are a big side at this level. Kerrigan takes wickets but the more he does that the more England may sniff so an immediate danger to Jarvis isn't actually apparent. For that reason 7/1 looks a big price. 3pts Glamorgan to finish bottom of Division 2 4/1 Coral Bit of a stab in the dark this one but I'm not convinced Leicestershire will be as bad this season as in the two that have gone before it and while there has been an exit of experienced players at Gloucestershire they have made some clever signings. Arguably the most important exit this season is the one of Jim Allenby for Glamorgan and when you throw in Michael Hogan's hamstring problem - an injury which always takes longer to heal for bowlers than anyone ever lets on - and Graham Wagg struggling too there is a real void in the Welsh side's attack. Clearly that isn't ideal but when you factor in they face Leicestershire, who are probably still their main challengers for the wooden spoon, in the opening round of matches when they look at their lightest with the ball, the Foxes might just have a chance to steal an early march on them and gain some confidence at the same time. If they capitalise on that, as the weather forecast suggests they'll have the chance to then Glamorgan might not catch up with them. At 4/1 there's plenty of value here.

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Re: County Championship 2015 Week 1 odds :nana. [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617]

[TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 12 April 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Hampshire v Sussex (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.9[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]102.38 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Middlesex v Nottinghamshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.5[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.67[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]99.88 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Somerset v Durham (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.91[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]102.36 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Worcestershire v Yorkshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]4.5[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.4[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]93.65 % [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617] [TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 12 April 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Leicestershire v Glamorgan (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.75[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.66[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]96.36 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Northamptonshire v Gloucestershire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.61[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.62[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

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Re: County Championship 2015 3 for me this week. No massive write ups as most of it is in the previews above. As in season's gone by all Championship bets are draw no bet unless stated otherwise. 5pts Sussex to beat Hampshire 10/11 Bet365 Bookmakers have this a 50/50 match and if Hampshire had a full attack out it might be but Jackson Bird and Andre Adams are going to be big components of that attack this summer and both miss out with injuries here. Sussex are without James Anyon and Chris Jordan themselves but they pepped up their attack in the winter and it is time for Ajmal Shahzad and Tymal Mills to prove their worth here. Both batting line ups look similar in quality although Hampshire still look a little light in that area so Sussex probably have enough of an edge with the bat but certainly with the ball to merit backing in Hampshire's first game back in the top flight for a little while. 2pts Worcestershire to beat Yorkshire 7/2 Paddy Power I'm priced in here I've got to admit but Yorkshire are devoid of so many players I've got to pay to see what Worcestershire can do. England have taken away Adam Lyth, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Joe Root, Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett and suspension has denied Yorkshire Andrew Gale as well so their top six isn't going to be the strongest here. Alex Lees skippers his county for the first time and he's still young himself which also isn't ideal. Worcestershire aren't the best side going around but somehow Moeen plays for them in this match and that can be a big boost. Senanayake could be useful even this early in the season against an inexperienced batting line up and if Worcestershire's batting can repel the new ball they have enough about them to potentially take advantage of all of Yorkshire's absentees and nick a win here. 3pts Leicestershire to beat Glamorgan 7/4 Paddy Power I'm much more positive about Leicestershire's chances for reasons highlighted above. Glamorgan are depleted with the ball which isn't ideal and Rudolph and Wallace aside they have a batting line up which might need some time to bed in. Leicestershire look solid with the bat and even without Clint McKay they have enough going for them with the ball here. I expect Leicestershire to be a lot more aggressive both with bat and ball but also in the field given that they are coached and captained by Australians who never take a backwards step and that attacking attitude could well prove dividends here. There is talent in this Leicestershire side and fate has it that they have good opposition to show us that against here.

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Re: County Championship 2015 [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617]

[TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 19 April 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.9[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.1[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Sussex v Worcestershire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.32[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]4[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.76 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Warwickshire v Hampshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.53[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]98.55 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617] [TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 19 April 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Derbyshire v Lancashire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.4[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.66[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]101.67 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Essex v Kent (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.63[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.55[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.57 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Glamorgan v Surrey (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.25[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.44[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

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Re: County Championship 2015 Profitable start for me last week. One for this week. 4pts Nottinghamshire to beat Yorkshire 10/11 Bet365 Nottinghamshire did everything but win the game at Lord's last week but there were plenty of promising signs for them not least the immediate batting form of Brendan Taylor and Chris Read. I wasn't sure how quickly Taylor would take to the county game but he answered that quickly against a lively attack and I expect him, and Nottinghamshire, to kick on now. Yorkshire beat Worcestershire last week but they were outplayed for seven sessions in that match and if they start this one so poorly Nottinghamshire aren't likely to let them back in as easily. Yorkshire's resources were stretched to the limit prior to last week so the last thing they needed was an injury to Ryan Sidebottom but they have that and a youngster is set to replace him. On the flip side for Yorkshire Andrew Gale is back to lead the side but this is still very much a second string Yorkshire side and they come up against a very strong Nottinghamshire side who have Vernon Philander in their ranks and he should be tough to face at this time of year. Nottinghamshire definitely have a strong edge with the bat and given that Sidebottom, Plunkett and Rashid are all missing with the ball the home side have the edge there too and so that should translate into a home win here.

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Re: County Championship 2015 [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617]

[TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 26 April 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Durham v Sussex (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.9[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]102.38 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Hampshire v Nottinghamshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.25[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.74[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]101.89 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Somerset v Middlesex (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.84[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.1[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]101.97 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Yorkshire v Warwickshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.9[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.19[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]98.04 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617] [TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 26 April 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Gloucestershire v Derbyshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.1[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.92[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]99.70 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Lancashire v Kent (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.61[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.62[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Leicestershire v Northamptonshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.37[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.75[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]99.25 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Surrey v Essex (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.7[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.5[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]98.82 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

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Re: County Championship 2015 Annoying that Nottinghamshire couldn't force the win. 2 for me this week. Might need to dodge some rain though :(. 4pts Somerset to beat Middlesex 4/5 William Hill Both these sides struggled in their opening match of the season. Somerset were taken apart by Durham inside three days while Middlesex somehow scrambled a draw against Nottinghamshire despite being outplayed for most of the match. I think Somerset will come away with more positives from the opening matches though. They were competitive and one bad session early in the second innings proved the difference but against that Durham attack that may not be a total disaster. I don't think Middlesex are as good as Durham overall and certainly not with the ball. We've seen Nottinghamshire struggle for wickets this season so Middlesex may have had nice opening opposition. Somerset welcome Alfonso Thomas back for this match and he could be another key cog in an improving bowling attack and with the likes of Trescothick, Myburgh, Hildreth, Cooper and Allenby batting for us I fancy Somerset to get over the line here. 4pts Derbyshire to beat Gloucestershire 10/11 Bet365 Derbyshire were well beaten by Lancashire last week but I fancy them to bounce back this week. Derbyshire were pretty competitive for 2.5 days but the end of Lancashire's second innings and their own second innings were disasters. They were taken apart by Kyle Jarvis but Lancashire have an international quality bowling attack which Gloucestershire don't have so Derbyshire's batsmen should find life more comfortable here. The interesting thing from a Derbyshire perspective last week was that while Mark Footitt bowled some excellent spells he didn't take many wickets so there is plenty more to come from him and that in turn will impact massively on his side. With the likes of Godleman, Guptill, Slater, Madsen and Thakor around there is no issue with their batting line up either. In fairness Gloucestershire have a really strong batting line up but this Derbyshire attack will keep them honest. I don't see Gloucestershire taking 20 wickets easily though and if Footitt and Palladino can fire, especially with the new nut then Derbyshire can pick up their first win of the season here.

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Re: County Championship 2015 [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617]

[TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Saturday 2 May 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Middlesex v Durham (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.1[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.9[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR] [TH][/TH] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 3 May 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Worcestershire v Somerset (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.2[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.66[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]91.25 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617] [TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 3 May 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Essex v Gloucestershire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.5[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.5[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]95.24 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Glamorgan v Derbyshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.1[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.9[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Kent v Leicestershire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.57[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.75[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Northamptonshire v Lancashire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.4[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.72[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]99.57 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

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Re: County Championship 2015 Annoying week last week. Kicking off this week with one for Saturday. 5pts Durham to beat Middlesex 10/11 Ladbrokes Middlesex denied me with an amazing run chase last week but they had plenty going for them on that occasion. Somerset lost Jamie Overton for the final innings of that match and it could and probably would have been a different story were he able to bowl. With that in mind I'm happy to take them on again against the side I've tipped to win this division and who have made the sort of start that suggests I won't be too far away. Durham have the better bowling attack of these two and their batting has probably gone better too apart from one innings. Rushworth, Onions and Hastings is a top seam attack while Borthwick, Jennings and Collingwood have all been in the runs this season. If Adam Voges fails you wonder if Middlesex can put a score up and with Finn looking out of form my money is definitely with a Durham side who have plenty of good memories of Lord's in recent seasons.

[kevshat]

Re: County Championship 2015 [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617]

[TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Saturday 9 May 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Warwickshire v Worcestershire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.53[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.75[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]101.58 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR] [TH][/TH] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 10 May 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Durham v Nottinghamshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.9[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.05[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]101.16 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Sussex v Middlesex (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.85[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.1[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]101.67 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Yorkshire v Hampshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.5[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.87[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]101.45 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617] [TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 10 May 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Derbyshire v Northamptonshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.1[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]97.62 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Kent v Glamorgan (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.1[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]97.62 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Lancashire v Gloucestershire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.53[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.87[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Surrey v Leicestershire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.44[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.25[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

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Re: County Championship 2015 Annoying loss last week. Middlesex starting to annoy me now :wall. Taking them on again this week though :loon. 4pts Sussex to beat Middlesex 4/5 Stan James Somehow these two sides both have two wins to their name. I say somehow because Middlesex's wins have come via a 400+ run chase in the fourth innings against Somerset and then a 9 wicket haul from James Harris last week in dismissing Durham for 80 odd. I'd wager neither happen again all season so although Middlesex are flying high at the minute there is no doubt in my mind that they are in a false position. Tim Murtagh misses out for them here with injury too while Tom Helm and Dawid Malan are also injured so their batting looks a touch light and their bowling slightly weak. Sussex would have liked to have Chris Jordan back I'm sure but he isn't available. Ajmal Shahzad has started the season well though and he is, as is Steve Magoffin. Michael Yardy comes in to strengthen the batting line up and that can all boost Sussex's good start to the season. Mahela Jayawardene is in town now and although he is only playing the T20s someone like him around the place passing on his knowledge and experience will be invaluable and so I like Sussex here. 5pts Glamorgan to beat Kent Evs Paddy Power I would have Glamorgan as a huge favourite here. I tipped Glamorgan to finish bottom of this division but Kent are unravelling before our very eyes. They were thumped in their first two matches. Ok Essex and Lancashire are promotion potentials so there is no real shame in that but they found themselves hanging on for dear life against Leicestershire last week and that isn't a good position to be in. Since then Rob Key has announced he's taking a break from first team cricket 'to work on his game' which in real terms means to get away from the hassle of a tough start and although James Tredwell is back here it is at the expense of Adam Riley and when you think Kent dumped Tredwell out on loan last season because Riley was the future suddenly all the signs are very weird. Glamorgan are nothing special but Craig Maschede is in good form and Michael Hogan is back a lot earlier than expected. They have a good batting line up too and are easily the least unsettled of these two sides. In theory that should play out to an away win at an almost too good to be true even money. 4pts Derbyshire to beat Northamptonshire Evs Sportingbet I'm kind of priced in here for a couple of reasons. Derbyshire have started the season ok to be fair and if they can't be inspired by Hashim Amla showing up for a few matches they never will be. Even if they're not he is going to score a bucket load of runs at this level. Derbyshire's seamers have been going well this season and they should be confident here. Northants are without David Willey for this match as he gets a rest but that might not be the best thing in the world. Steven Crook is a capable replacement but Willey is in top form with the bat and the ball so resting him is a risk especially with him being on the crest of a wave after his England debut on Friday. There is just a weaker look about Northants' batting than Derbyshire's and throw in the impact Amla will have in the dressing room and there enough to price me in here.

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Re: County Championship 2015 [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617]

[TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Monday 18 May 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Glamorgan v Essex (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.2[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.8[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]101.01 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Gloucestershire v Kent (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.72[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.5[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]97.89 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Northamptonshire v Surrey (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.3[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.66[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]103.48 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

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Re: County Championship 2015 One for me on Monday. 5pts Gloucestershire to beat Kent 8/11 Ladbrokes I think there is enough value in Gloucestershire in this match. It isn't ideal that they played in the T20 on Sunday afternoon but they don't play too many of their bowling attack in both formats of the game so that isn't too bad. Gloucestershire have been in really good form in the four day competition this season. They drew with Northants in the opening week which I don't think will look a bad result at the end of the season and although they lost to Derbyshire I don't think that is too damning a result but they only lost that because they ran into a wonder innings from Martin Guptill but since then they have beaten arguably the two favourites for promotion in Essex and Lancashire and beat both with plenty to spare so that has to be a good sign. Kent are still looking for their first four day win this season and they'll have to get it without Rob Key and James Tredwell here which isn't ideal so a young side just got a lot younger. Kent had 21 overs to get the last two Glamorgan wickets for their first win last week but couldn't take them and that kind of highlights a lack of strategy or approach and a weak bowling attack. Gloucestershire's top four are all in excellent nick and they are being well led by Geraint Jones who will be desperate to put one over his old side so I really like the home win here.

[kevshat]

Re: County Championship 2015 [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617]

[TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 24 May 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Somerset v Yorkshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.37[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.66[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]102.11 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Sussex v Warwickshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.2[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.85[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]99.51 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Worcestershire v Durham (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.62[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.6[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.60 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617] [TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 24 May 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Kent v Surrey (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.5[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.75[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]97.14 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Lancashire v Derbyshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.57[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.75[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.02 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

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Re: County Championship 2015 One for me this week. Hopefully this is the week I can get going this season. 4pts Warwickshire to beat Sussex 4/5 Coral I like Warwickshire this week. They go into the match unbeaten and performing well with the bat and the ball. They have just completely wiped out Durham in their last match and followed that up with a T20 derby win so everything should be rosy in the Bears camp. I'm not sure that's the case with Sussex though. They've lost their last two matches and in the most recent one of those they couldn't get anything going with the bat. In fact since their opening innings of the season on an Ageas Bowl featherbed they have only scored more than 300 in two out of seven innings. In one of those innings Matt Machan and Ajmal Shahzad scored 180 of the 345 and then in the other they were indebted to a 164 run last wicket partnership which they're not getting very often. The other scores around that have been 164, 290, 265, 192 and 207 - all out on each occasion so they're not batting well and they come up against arguably the best bowling attack in the competition right now. Warwickshire are scoring big runs, they have Chris Wright back this week and are starting to show signs of the side who have gone so well in four day cricket over the last few seasons. Although Sussex have Chris Jordan back for this match they're without plenty of bowlers such as James Anyon, Lewis Hatchett, Ajmal Shahzad and Tymal Mills. That leaves their attack looking threadbare and with Machan out as well one of the few form men with the bat is out of the side so all in all I fancy the stronger, less injury ravaged Warwickshire to come through this one.

[kevshat]

Re: County Championship 2015 [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617]

[TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 7 June 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Durham v Somerset (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.62[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.5[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]101.73 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Sussex v Hampshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.66[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.38[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]102.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Yorkshire v Middlesex (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.63[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.5[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]101.35 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617] [TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 7 June 2015[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Gloucestershire v Lancashire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.5[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.61[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]101.90 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Kent v Derbyshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.00 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Leicestershire v Surrey (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.88[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.5[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]101.39 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Northamptonshire v Essex (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.91[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]102.36 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

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Re: County Championship 2015 Two for me this week. 4pts Hampshire to beat Sussex 11/8 Ladbrokes Hampshire haven't started the season brilliantly but things could be about to change now that Jackson Bird is fit to spearhead their attack. Fidel Edwards is back in the squad for this match too so Hampshire have half an international bowling attack at their disposal and on this Hove track which has been misbehaving all season that could be something of an advantage. Another advantage that Hampshire have is that Sussex will be without Chris Jordan as he is with the England ODI side. Jordan has played a major role in Sussex's last couple of matches so it is a big loss for them that he isn't available. Ed Joyce is back from Ireland duty to bolster the batting line up but with the likes of Anyon, Mills, Shahzad and Hatchett all injured Sussex are missing a number of personnel with the ball which could help this Hampshire batting line up which hasn't fulfilled its talent so far this season. Hampshire have shown signs of life with the bat in the T20 over the last week or two and if that has got their main men back into form then with the quality of attack at their disposal in this match they could be overpriced to win this one. 4pts Derbyshire to beat Kent Evs William Hill I'm still not keen on Kent this season but particularly here because injuries and the England call up for Sam Billings has left them a little light with the bat and the ball. Kent have only won one match in the Championship this season and they were behind for much of that before a freak partnership between Sam Northeast and Joe Denly ensued to get them home in a match they were never really in. Derbyshire have only won one match themselves but they are often in matches and the only side they have lost to this season is Lancashire which they've done twice. There's no harm in that because Lancashire look like strolling away with this title. Derbyshire have Dilshan firmly in their ranks now and with a couple of players coming back from injury they are only going to get better this season. I really like Palladino and Footitt with the ball and they should enjoy themselves up against a light looking Kent batting line up but the likes of Taylor and Thakor back them up perfectly. Long term Derbyshire's prospects are much the stronger of these two sides and I fancy them to show that this week.

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[TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617] [TR] Sunday 21 June 2015 Home Away BPP [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Hampshire v Somerset (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]1.9[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]2.02[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]101.89 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Middlesex v Worcestershire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]1.53[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]2.75[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]101.58 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR] Monday 22 June 2015 Home Away BPP [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Yorkshire v Nottinghamshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]1.57[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]2.62[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]101.75 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617] [TR] Sunday 21 June 2015 Home Away BPP [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Derbyshire v Surrey (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]2.37[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]1.66[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]102.11 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Gloucestershire v Essex (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]2.1[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]1.8[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]103.17 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR] Monday 22 June 2015 Home Away BPP [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Glamorgan v Leicestershire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]1.57[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]2.87[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]98.42 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

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One for me this week. 5pts Essex to beat Gloucestershire 4/5 Stan James It often takes Essex time to get going in cricket seasons but when the penny finally drops with them they keep hold of it and finish seasons strongly. Ravi Bopara and Ryan ten Doeschate are fully back from the IPL and established back in the side again now and they have Alastair Cook available for this match too before he heads off on an Ashes warm up so Essex are as close to full strength as you're going to get. Gloucestershire are a dangerous side but they can't seem to find any consistency and that is a concern. They have a couple of injury doubts over key batsmen which isn't ideal and are probably no better than Essex anyway so throw in Essex's spell of good form and consistency and the doubts over Marshall and Roderick and I'm firmly with the Eagles this week.

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Sunday odds: [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617] [TR] Sunday 5 July 2015 Home Away BPP [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Nottinghamshire v Middlesex (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]1.92[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]2[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]102.08 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Somerset v Sussex (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]1.9[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]2.02[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]101.89 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Warwickshire v Yorkshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]2.5[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]1.62[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]101.73 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617] [TR] Sunday 5 July 2015 Home Away BPP [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Leicestershire v Kent (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]1.95[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]1.92[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]103.37 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Monday odds: [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617] [TR] Monday 6 July 2015 Home Away BPP [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Worcestershire v Hampshire (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]2[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]1.92[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]102.08 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE=class: couponTable, width: 617] [TR] Monday 6 July 2015 Home Away BPP [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Derbyshire v Glamorgan (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]2.22[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]1.72[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]102.94 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Lancashire v Essex (11:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]1.62[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd]2.5[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp]101.73 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

[kevshat]

Couple for me this week. 4pts Middlesex to beat Nottinghamshire Evs Boylesports Middlesex look a decent enough price to me here. They will be without Steven Finn but in James Harris they have the leading wicket taker in the division and there is enough in support of him to mean Finn won't be missed as badly as he might have in previous seasons. Middlesex do have Dawid Malan back with the bat and Eoin Morgan is in their ranks too. Paul Stirling is away with Ireland but he doesn't really deliver regularly in four day cricket anyway. Nottinghamshire are without James Taylor which could be a blow and one or two of their top order have just dropped their form but they are struggling for bowlers with injuries running through the side and that could be the difference because Middlesex do bat a long way down. Nottinghamshire won last week but Worcestershire handed them that match. I don't expect Middlesex to do that so I'll go with Middlesex here. 4pts Kent to beat Leicestershire 10/11 Stan James Kent aren't having the best of four day seasons but they still shouldn't be this price. They were competitive against the Australians last wee despite resting their bowling attack and that should give them some confidence to take into this match. Leicestershire made the news for beating Essex earlier in the season but they haven't kicked on from there and with his wife due to give birth imminently you would expect Mark Cosgrove will be missing for this match even though he's been named in the squad. Niall O'Brien is also missing which won't be helpful. Kent are at full strength and I think they'll have too much for the Foxes here.

[BigMozzyDog]

2pts James Taylor to be top Nottinghamshire batsman at 10/3 with Coral Possibly the smallest batsman in the County Championship but he gets big runs. He's been in good nick throughout the recent one-dayers and his last score in a first class game was 291. Statistically there isn't much between the two sides, but one thing that Notts have is firepower in the runs department. It generally does a bit at New Road and there won't be much pace on the ball. I'm backing J. Taylor as one of their more diligent top order players to get a big score here. 5pts Middlesex to beat Sussex at 8/13 with Coral Middlesex will fancy their chances turn over a Sussex team that is chronically short of quality bowling, aside from Steve Magoffin. Boosted by beating the Sussex at Hove in the 50-over format, I expect the greater depth in the Middlesex four-day side to tell here and make for a convincing victory. They have two test openers in their top three with Compton and Robson, so runs on the board could be the deciding factor. 4pts Surrey to beat Essex at 4/5 with Ladbrokes Of this round of games, this bet looks to be the best value. To start with, Surrey have hundreds of runs in their side, and Ben Foakes (if he plays) is an exciting young player to keep an eye on against his former team. Essex got thumped by lowly Kent last time out and they look a side that is more geared to one-day cricket. I can't see anything other than a Surrey win here as they look to wrap-up a promotion spot.

[BigMozzyDog]

3pts Hampshire to beat Warwickshire at 4/1 with Bet365 In Southampton, Hampshire entertain Warwickshire and at the close of day one have battled their way to 255/8. Gareth Berg remains at the crease on 42 alongside promising young leggie, Mason Crane. The Ageas Bowl has always offered some assistance for the bowlers and this season a par score has been around 300 - 320. If Hampshire can nudge themselves up to near that mark, they have Jackson Bird and Fidel Edwards to cause a stir amongst the Warwickshire ranks. League placings may go out of the window in this encounter. You can read a full domestic preview here: https://www.punterslounge.com/domestic-cricket-back-a-team-on-home-turf-at-a-massive-price

[BigMozzyDog]

3pts Worcestershire to beat Somerset at 6/4 with Ladbrokes. Worcestershire make the short trip to Somerset in the knowledge that a win will give them some breathing space ahead of a Sussex side who face Yorkshire tomorrow. Perennial strugglers, the New Road side will be reliant on Saeed Ajmal who, although no longer as potent a force, will be able to apply plenty of pressure at the County Ground in the second innings. They are also going to receive a boost in the form of Daryl Mitchell. Their captain and chief run scorer has had his injury problems in the second half of the season and results have reflected the void that he leaves. Averaging over 40 for Worcestershire is an achievement given the bowler friendly conditions that are evident at his home ground, and with nearly 10,000 first-class runs to his name, Mitchell is a performer of real quality. Somerset are a side with lots of good names on paper, but their results in recent seasons have failed to show off their undoubted talents. There is a brittleness about their batting that wasn’t evident when Marcus Trescothick was at the peak of his powers. There is a feeling that they can be rolled over and Worcestershire, a side who always finish the season strong, have more than a squeak in this game. You can see a full preview here: https://www.punterslounge.com/county-championship-battle-for-division-one-status-hots-up