kevshat Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 The county cricket season kicks off this Wednesday and it begins with the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />CountyChampionship. I did two threads last season with a division in each but I’m going to keep it down to one thread this season, a) because there isn’t usually a great deal of betting interest in the 4 day event and b) because there’s a lot of cricket going on over the next 6 months and too many threads may mean one or two getting lost. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> I’ve got a preview for each division which will follow in separate posts shortly but 1st of all it’s the rules and format. The Championship is split into 2 divisions of 9 teams. At the end of the season the bottom two in the 1st division are replaced by the top 2 in Division 2. Points are given as follows: 14pts per win 7pts per tie 4 pts for a draw 0pts for a loss Matches last a possible 4 days and are 2 innings per side with unlimited overs. Teams are given bonus points based on how they perform in the 1st innings of each match. They are scored as follows: Batting bonus points 200-249 runs = 1pt 250-299 runs = 2pts 300-349 runs = 3pts 350-399 runs = 4pts 400+ runs = 5pts Bowling bonus points 3-5 wickets = 1pt 6-8 wickets = 2pts 9-10 wickets = 3pts Bonus points only apply for the 1st 130 overs of the 1st innings. Unlike previous seasons where teams have been allowed 2 overseas players at any time, the rule has been changed so counties are only allowed 1 registered overseas player at any time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevshat Posted April 13, 2008 Author Share Posted April 13, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Division 1 Lancashire4.554.54.74.54.54.55554.54.5554.54.54.54.554.5Durham54.555.15555555.554.5554.3355.55.46.8Sussex655.55.75.55.5665.55.54.55.555.55.555.5665Surrey7887.67877876887878888.2Somerset101110101110101110101010111010111091110.5Yorkshire109.581010810118811109.58810991111Hampshire910813789151111138.510118151191414.5Kent1513111413111510131313151313111311131513.5Nottinghamshire11131114.511111117111310111311111511131615Place terms 3 1/53 1/53 1/5 3 1/53 1/53 1/53 1/5 3 1/43 1/5 3 1/53 1/53 1/5 Last season was a terrific season for the Durham club. They picked up their 1st piece of silverware when they beat Hampshire to win the Friends Provident trophy and they then followed that up by winning the 2nd division of the Pro40. They nearly completed the treble but fell just short of Sussex on the final weekend. They relied an awful lot on veteran Ottis Gibson last season and his wickets undoubtedly contributed hugely to their success however he has retired now so the task for Durham is to have as good a season without him. Durham have secured the services of South African batsman Neil McKenzie as their overseas player for the 1st half of this season to replace Scott Styris and Shivnerine Chanderpaul will take over from him after the mid season break for the Twenty20 cup. Durham should be seeing Steve Harmison for almost the whole season after he’s been disgarded by England and he could go some way to replacing the loss of Ottis Gibson. He’ll be supported by ex England players Liam Plunkett and Graham Onions to form a strong bowling attack. Dale Benkenstein is a shrewd captain and if Michael Di Venuto stays fit for the whole season and the rest of the batsman contribute around him Durham should be right up there again. Paul Collingwood will be away with England for most of the season but wicket-keeper Phil Mustard could only be away during the ODI’s so he should play a big part in Durham’s championship season. A couple of sides have strengthened this season and in a stronger and more open looking Championship I think Durham could find one or two too good again. Last Season: 2nd Overseas Player(s): Neil McKenzie, Albie Morkel (Twenty20 only) & Shivnerine Chanderpaul Key Players: Michael di Venuto & Phil Mustard Best Odds: 9/2 Ladbrokes Predicted Finishing Position: 3rd Hampshire were dealt a big blow two weeks before the season began as their influential captain Shane Warne decided to call it quits and leave the south coast club. He will be a huge loss for the Hawks and it will be a tough season for their young side. Dimitri Mascarenhas takes over the captaincy reins from Warne but he himself misses the 1st two weeks of the season as he’s playing in the IPL and could also miss games if he retains his England ODI place. As ever Hampshire will be depending an awful lot of the batting of John Crawley. Once again coach Paul Terry has shown faith in his batsmen by not signing anyone in the close season but on paper the batting does look a touch week. The bowling attack looks very inexperienced and Hampshire weren’t helped by the sudden retirement of James Bruce. Shaun Udal has left which leaves youngster Liam Dawson as the only recognised spinner in the squad. Shane Bond comes in for the 1st half of the season and he’ll spearhead a young pace attack in which Chris Tremlett will hope for a good season and remind the England selectors he’s still around. It will be hard to deal with the losses Hampshire have endured in the close season and this looks like a season of staving off relegation and hoping they can pick up a one day pot. Last Season: 5th Overseas Player(s): Shane Bond & Shane Watson (Twenty20 only) Key Players: John Crawley & Chris Tremlett Best Odds: 14/1 Totesport/Boylesports Predicted Finishing Position: 7th Kenthad a solid season last year and were worthy winners of the Twenty20 cup at Edgbaston. They nearly gained promotion in the Pro40 but struggled to stave off relegation in the Championship. Off the field problems regarding signings have taken up most of the close season at Canterbury but Kent will be hopeful ahead of the coming season. Captain Rob Key had a great season last year and was unlucky not to go on an England tour in the winter and with opening partner Joe Denly improving by the match and a solid middle order of Martin van Jaarsveld, Darren Stevens and Matt Walker they should have the runs to compete in this division. Their bowling attack will welcome fit again Amjad Khan back and he gives them much more strength. Yasir Arafat is a reliable overseas player and kolpaks Ryan McLaren and Azhar Mahmood give Key solid options. James Tredwell has been one of the best spinners on the county circuit for years. Kent’s season could depend on the result of Justin Kemp’s eligibility appeal. With him in their ranks they’ll be a strong one day side but I can only see a solid mid table season ahead of them in the longer game. Last Season: 7th Overseas Player(s): Yasir Arafat Key Players: Robert Key & Amjad Khan Best Odds: 14/1 Blue Square/Paddy Power Predicted Finishing Position: 5th Lancashire were famously denied the Championship last season on the final day of the season when they fell agonisingly short of a huge run chase at The Oval allowing Sussex to capitalise. They’ll hope that a change of captaincy will see a change in results for the Red Rose county who’s only other highlight last season was a finals day appearance in the Twenty20. Stuart Law takes over the reins at Old Trafford replacing Mark Chilton and he’ll lead a young side into battle over the season ahead. Fellow Aussie, Brad Hodge will be the overseas player this season and he’ll strengthen the batting lineup but injuries and England call up’s may not help Lancashire. Mal Loye is a key player for them but he has a bad back so his appearances may be restricted while England will want the services of Andrew Flintoff and James Anderson at various stages this season. With Murali not here this year a lot will depend on Gary Keedy’s spin wizardry. In the pace attack, Dominic Cork and Glen Chapple are getting no younger so Sajid Mahmood and Kyle Hogg may need to lead the bowling attack. Stuart Law will hope to lead Lancashire to a trophy in his 1st season and the Old Trafford members would love it to be the Championship but a 1 day crown is more likely as their young squad may struggle for consistency and the lack of wickets from Murali could prove crucial. Last Season: 3rd Overseas Player(s): Brad Hodge Key Players: Paul Horton & Gary Keedy Best Odds: 4/1 Bet365/Boylesports/Sportingbet/Skybet/Coral Predicted Finishing Position: 4th Nottinghamshire are another side who have changed their captain in the close season but theirs was enforced with Stephen Fleming’s contract not being renewed. Last season was a disappointing one for the TrentBridge side and Chris Read has been given the task of rejuvenating the Outlaws. Expectations will be high now that Notts are back in the top flight but this isn’t as good a side as the one which went down 2 years ago. With David Hussey likely to miss most of the season now that he’s been called up to the Australian squad, this Notts side has pretty much lost both of their overseas players from last year so there will be a huge emphasis on runs from the likes of Wagh, Jefferson and Samit Patel. Adam Voges has come in for the start of the season but he didn’t excel when over here for Hampshire last term. The signing of Stuart Broad looked a positive one but he’s become an England regular since then as has Ryan Sidebottom so the bowling attack will be hit by England callups. Of those who aren’t with England, Andrew Harris and Charlie Shreck will need to have good seasons and Graeme Swann will need to chip in with bat and ball. Mark Ealham’s return from injury will be a welcome boost. I’m no fan of wicket keepers captaining the side and this is a depleted side from last year and a tough season awaits the TrentBridge faithful and it’s ultimately a season which I think will end in relegation. Last Season: 2nd in Division 2 Overseas Player(s): Adam Voges & David Hussey Key Players: Mark Wagh & Charlie Shreck Best Odds: 16/1 Boylesports Predicted Finishing Position: 9th Somerset strolled to the Division 2 title last season and hopes will be high going into this season however this is a strong Division 1 this year and it could be tough. A positive for them is that they’ve retained the services of captain Justin Langer and Marcus Trescothick’s international retirement is a further boost for the Sabres. In Trescothick and Langer, Somerset have two of the best batsmen in the country but the middle order does have a young look to it. James Hildreth has been around a while but he’s still improving and Neil Edwards is another youngster. That means the contribution of Ian Blackwell is vital with bat and with ball. However if Somerset get permission for Zander de Bruyn to register for them that will help their batting lineup. Andrew Caddick continues to lead the seam attack alongside Charl Willoughby with Steffan Jones as back up. Alfonso Thomas has joined this season too and the addition of West Indies all rounder Omari Banks on a kolpak looks a decent move. Youngster Craig Kieswetter could be one to watch behind the stumps this season. Taunton’s never a place full of results and that’s hampered Somerset’s 4 day progress over the years and in this strong division it could continue to do so. Somerset’s bowling isn’t as strong as some and they could struggle to keep their heads above water this term. Last Season: 1st in Division 2 Overseas Player(s): Justin Langer Key Players: Marcus Trescothick & Ian Blackwell Best Odds: 10/1 Bet365/Totesport/Betfred/Boylesports Predicted Finishing Position: 8th Surrey are making big noises about their season and those words aren’t without justification. They’ve signed well in the close season and with the youngsters they’ve blooded last season and before expectation is high going into the season. The Butcher father and son coach and captain partnership works and Surrey will be dangerous. All eyes will be on Mark Ramprakash to see if he can replicate the form of the last two seasons. If he does then Surrey are sure to go well. Mark Butcher should contribute with the bat and the signing of Usman Afzaal makes their batting look a lot stronger. Scott Newman will hope for a good season at the top of the order while Ali Brown and James Benning are dangerous in all forms of the game. Surrey have made a couple of shrewd signings in their bowling attack in Pedro Collins and Saqlain Mushtaq, both of whom have international experience. They failed in their attempts to sign Mohammad Asif but Matt Nicholson returns and in Jordan and Dernbach they have two dangerous, young seamers. Jon Batty is solid behind the stumps and Surrey look a good all round package. It was always going to be about adding strength in depth to last season’s squad for Surrey and having done that they could well challenge for lots of silver this season. In the four day game I think they’re the ones to beat. Last Season: 4th Overseas Player(s): Matt Nicholson Key Players: Mark Ramprakash & Chris Jordan Best Odds: 7/1 General Predicted Finishing Position: 1st Sussex begin the season as defending champions in Division 1 having won an epic title last year. That was their 2nd title in the last few years and it would take a brave man to go against them again this season. They’ve been quiet during the close season but they’ve got everything they need for a good season. Chris Adams leads the Sharks into his last season and he’ll know Matt Prior’s exclusion from England will be a big boost to his side. Richard Montgomerie’s retirement means Chris Nash will need to score runs at the top of the innings. Murray Goodwin and Michael Yardy in the engine room have international experience and Luke Wright will chip in with solid runs. Rana Naved has left the club but they have managed to secure the services of Mushtaq Ahmed again which is key. Ryan Harris has been signed and immediately showed his worth in the MCC match and with Lewry, Kirtley and Martin Jenkins around Sussex look strong in all departments. This side is getting on a bit though and are open to improvement from others and with that in mind I think they’ll find one too good this season but I expect a bold defence from the champions. Last Season: 1st Overseas Player(s): Mushtaq Ahmed Key Players: Matt Prior & Luke Wright Best Odds: 5/1 Boylesports/Blue Square Predicted Finishing Position: 2nd Yorkshire had a good season last term after a couple of poor seasons. The inspiration of Darren Gough clearly had an impact in the dressing room and they were fairly competitive in all competitions. The task now is to build on that and make the latter stages of competitions in what could be Darren Gough’s last season. They’ll have to make do without the services of Younis Khan this season though and that could be a huge loss and puts a lot of pressure on the likes of Jacques Rudolph and Anthony McGrath. Yorkshire will enjoy having Michael Vaughan around when he’s not on England duty but the batting still looks a bit light. Morne Morkel has been signed for the 1st three months of the season and he’s a great signing for the Headingley side. Along with Morkel and Darren Gough, Tim Bresnan makes up a potent seam attack. Yorkshire could also have Matthew Hoggard for long periods of the season which will help. Adil Rashid will be closely watched as he continues to build a decent reputation for himself. Yorkshire are sure to be more competitive and will win lots of matches at Headingley with their bowling attack but there are a lot of good pitches in this division where their batting attack could be exposed and a mid table season awaits the White Rose side. Last Season: 6th Overseas Player(s): Morne Morkel & Rana Naved Key Players: Anthony McGrath & Jacques Rudolph Best Odds: 10/1 Boylesports/Ladbrokes Predicted Finishing Position: 6th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevshat Posted April 13, 2008 Author Share Posted April 13, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Division 2 Middlesex 4.5 4.5 4 4.6 4.33 4 4.5 4 4.25 4.33 5 4 4.5 4.5 4 5 4.5 4.33 4.8 5.1 Essex 5 4.5 5.5 5.2 4.5 5.5 5 5 4.5 4.5 5 4.5 4.5 4.5 5.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 5.5 6.6 Warwickshire 5 5 3.75 4.3 4.5 3.75 5 6 4.5 5 6 5.5 5.5 5 3.75 4.33 5 5 4.5 4.6 Derbyshire 7.5 8 8.5 8.5 9 8.5 7.5 9 9 9 7 8 7 9 8.5 8 8 8 9 9 Worcestershire 9 7 5.5 8.5 7 5.5 9 6.5 6 6.5 7 7 6 6.5 5.5 8 6.5 7 9 6.8 Northamptonshire 13 11 13 12 11 13 13 12 11 11 9 9 11 11 13 10 11 11 13 12 Leicestershire 9 8.5 13 13 7.5 13 9 15 11 11 9 11 9 11 13 9 10 11 14 9.4 Gloucestershire 12 17 15 15.5 15 15 12 13 17 15 13 17 17 15 15 15 13 15 17 18.5 Glamorgan 34 51 34 43 51 34 34 51 41 51 26 41 51 26 34 51 34 34 50 32 Place terms 3 1/5 3 1/5 3 1/5 3 1/5 3 1/5 3 1/5 3 1/5 3 1/4 3 1/5 3 1/5 3 1/5 3 1/5 Derbyshire have been busier than most in the off season and they needed to be in truth as they were poor last year. One of the incoming players is Rikki Clarke, signed from Surrey is to lead Derbyshire this season. With all their signings there are a few which expect the midlands side to do well but an improvement in all competitions will be good. As well as Clarke, Derby have signed Mahela Jayawardene and Chris Rogers as their overseas players for this term and Jayawardene in particular looks a great signing as he’s one of the top 10 batsmen in the world for me. South African hotshot Dominic Telo comes over with a big reputation too. They still look a batsman or two short for me though. With the ball, the evergreen Kevin Dean and Graham Wagg will be prominent but Derby are trying to get Charl Langeveldt to come over as a kolpak and he would give their bowling lineup a huge boost. Nayan Doshi has followed his captain from Surrey up to Derby and will look to gain a regular spinning spot. Derbyshire are bound to be better than last season, but I’m not a fan of having an inexperienced captain and think there are better men for the job and it could be Clarke’s inexperience which is the difference between a top 2 place and missing out on promotion. Last Season: 6th Overseas Player(s): Chris Rogers & Mahela Jayawardene Key Players: Dominic Telo & Graham Wagg Best Odds: 9/1 Sportingbet Predicted Finishing Position: 3rd Essexprobably underachieved last season and will expect more this season having made a few signings in the close season. Graham Gooch isn’t as involved as he was though and that could make a difference. Paul Grayson has taken over as 1st team coach and they too have an inexperienced captain but expectations at Chelmsford may still be high. Mark Pettini will lead a side with a batting lineup that looks really strong, especially at Chelmsford. They’ll see Ravi Bopara for most of the season which could be crucial. Jason Gallian looks a good signing at the top of the innings but there’s still a very young look about the Eagles’ batting. Andre Nel will pep up the bowling attack early in the season before Danish Kaneria arrives. David Masters will be solid away from Chelmsford but may struggle on the dry wickets at home. James Middlebrook and Grant Flower will be key later in the season too as will James Foster who should get a lot of chances behind the stumps and whose runs Essex will be reliant on. Essex will always be there or thereabouts in the limited overs competitions but if England come for Bopara at any time they’ll be severely weakened and a young side could struggle for consistency in the longer format. Last Season: 4th Overseas Player(s) Andre Nel & Danish Kaneria Key Players: Ravi Bopara & James Foster Best Odds: 9/2 Stan James/Betdirect Predicted Finishing Position: 5th Glamorgan had a shocking season last year which was expected in many ways having thrown so much of their budget on improving their stadium ahead of next summer’s Ashes test. Matthew Maynard has taken control in the close season and he’ll bring a completely different mindset to the club and the Welsh side will expect to perform much better. Maynard has already stamped his influence on the side with the signings of Jamie Dalrymple and Jason Gillespie. Matthew Wood has also joined to bolster a young batting lineup. A lot will be on the shoulders of Wood and Dalrymple as this side is still very young but are sure to improve under a coach as good as Maynard. Maynard’s son Tom could be one of the stars of the season with the bat despite his young age. With the ball, all talk will focus around teen sensation James Harris who looks certain to be an England regular in the coming years. He’ll spearhead the attack with Jason Gillespie who will give the youngsters his guidance. Robert Croft is still around and he’s sure to have a decent season as he always does while Mark Wallace is still one of the better keepers in the country and will provide good runs too. Glamorgan will be much more competitive under Maynard and while it’s folly to be talking about promotion and trophies, they won’t be so far off the others in the 4 day game. Last Season: 9th Overseas Player(s): Jason Gillespie Key Players: Jamie Dalrymple & James Harris Best Odds: 50/1 General Predicted Finishing Position: 8th Gloucestershire were 3 balls away from winning the Twenty20 cup last season but that was as good as it got. They were there or thereabouts in the one day competitions as is their norm but the 4 day season was disappointing and ultimately cost Mark Alleyne his job. England hero Jack Russell has accepted the coaching job and he’ll bring energy and passion to Bristol. Gloucestershire fought long and hard to secure the services of Hamish Marshall and they finally succeeded in bringing him back. He’ll form part of a strong top 4 with Craig Spearman, Kadeer Ali and overseas signing Marcus North. Alex Gidman and Chris Taylor form a pretty solid top 6 but it’s the bowling attack which would be a concern. Jon Lewis and Steve Kirby are sound performers but the rest are either poor or very young. Vikram Banerjee is an up and coming spinner and Ian Fisher is more experienced but there’s a bit of a lack of quality seam bowling which is shown by Mark Hardinges as a likely 3rd seamer. Jack Russell will bring success back to Nevil Rd of that I’m sure but it’s more likely to come in the one day game. Taking 20 wickets looks a problem so a mid table finish is more likely in the 4 day game. Last Season: 7th Overseas Player(s): Marcus North Key Players: Hamish Marshall & Jon Lewis Best Odds: 16/1 Bet365/Paddy Power Predicted Finishing Position: 6th Leicestershire have seen a huge turnover of players in the close season with their two star bowlers heading to pastures new and being replaced by a couple of kolpak signings. Nevertheless though, Leicestershire’s expectations, certainly among their coaching staff and that puts pressure on the new full time captain Paul Nixon. Leicestershire’s best coup of the winter was securing the services of Boeta Dippenaar as overseas player. He has a real good record and he could well be a run machine in division two. Along with fellow South African HD Ackerman he should put lots of good scores together for the Foxes. Jim Allenby and Paul Nixon are no mugs with the bat either. Most of their signings came in the bowling attack. Dillon du Preez was recommended by Dippenaar while Jermaine Lawson comes over with international experience under his belt. Garnett Kruger has signed again and he’ll join those two and Ryan Cummins in the seam attack. Claude Henderson continues to provide a solid spin option. Leicestershire will be stronger in the four day environment but they always focus their attentions around the Twenty20 and I expect no difference this year. Should they get off to a good start though promotion might not be completely out of the question. Last Season: 8th Overseas Player(s): Boeta Dippenaar Key Players: HD Ackerman & Jermaine Lawson Best Odds: 14/1 Boylesports Predicted Finishing Position: 4th Middlesex are another to have changed their coach in the off season. Toby Radford now has the reins at HQ and his main priority will be to lead Middlesex back into Division 1. As ever in the capital expectations are high but they have the squad to achieve that goal. Owais Shah could be a big player for Middlesex this summer as he continues to be denied the test spot his consistency deserves. He’ll be part of a strong batting line up which includes the Irish duo Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan. Billy Godleman looks a really talented young opener too so the Crusaders have all the batting power they need. The bowling isn’t as strong but it’s more than good enough for this division. Tim Murtagh and Chris Silverwood are solid and Alan Richardson is a canny bowler although injury has begun to dog him a bit but in Steven Finn, Middlesex have England’s brightest bowling talent around at the minute and it’s not if but when he gets called up to the England squad. This summer could be too early though so that’s Middlesex’s gain. Murali Kartik will arrive after the IPL and Shaun Udal is already there and both will provide solid spin options and Vernon Philander will give the Crusaders solid all round efforts as overseas player until Kartik arrives. Middlesex tick all the boxes in the four day game and I wouldn’t be surprised if they go a long way in a one day competition too but whoever finishes above Middlesex will be the Division 2 champions but I don’t see anyone who will do that. Last Season: 3rd Overseas Player(s): Vernon Philander & Murali Kartik Key Players: Owais Shah & Steven Finn Best Odds: 4/1 Totesport & Ladbrokes Predicted Finishing Position: 1st Northants have also changed their captain in the close season. David Sales decided he wanted to focus on his batting and has passed the captaincy over to Nicky Boje. The Steelbacks have recently been thwarted in their attempts to sign Andrew Hall and Johannes van der Wath although Andrew Hall is appealing that decision. David Sales will need to score a lot of runs because this Northants batting lineup does look awfully week. Lance Klusener and Nicky Boje can both bat but neither are recognised top order batsman so if the likes of Stephen Peters and Rob White have poor seasons Northants could be struggling. They might have to play Riki Wessels as an out and out batsman but even he’s not a top order batsman. Alex Wakely led the under 19s in the winter and could gain some runs for his side but the decision to let Usman Afzaal go looks a bad one even though he undermined the coach. Johann Louw has returned to lead the pace attack. He’ll be the overseas player and it’s an attack which is also pretty poor. Lance Klusener and David Lucas would be the other alternatives but that shouldn’t be so bad at Wantage Rd where I would expect a lot of turning pitches to be created to help Boje and Jason Brown as well as Monty when he plays. This is a weak Northants squad and even Andrew Hall would only really help them in one day cricket. Their bowling attack on the road could be cannon fodder and Northants could well end up propping up the rest. Last Season: 5th Overseas Player(s): Johann Louw Key Players: David Sales & Lance Klusener Best Odds: 12/1 General Predicted Finishing Position: 9th Warwickshire have also changed their coach in the close season. Mark Greatbatch has bit the bullet after one of the stranger seasons in the Bears history and former Warwickshire and England player Ashley Giles has taken over as coach. He’s brought Allan Donald back to the club as a bowling coach and made a couple of clever signings as they aim to take the Bears back into the top flight. Darren Maddy will wonder how the Bears got relegated last year when half way through they look the winners all ends up. They didn’t win another game though and paid the price. Maddy will captain the side and has a batting lineup that will be affected by Tim Ambrose being with England. Jon Trott should score runs and Ian Bell will help when he’s available but they look a good batsman light at least. Monde Zondeki has been signed as overseas player and will lead the pace attack with Lee Daggett, James Anyon and Boyd Rankin assisting him. Alex Loudon has quit cricket now so Ant Botha has been recruited from Derby to provide the spin option. Warwickshire will be there or thereabouts but they just lack a bit in the batting lineup for me. Ultimately in this division their bowling should win them matches they will struggle in some competitions unless one of the bits and pieces players have a good run. I still expect the Bears to be challenging for promotion though. Last Season: 8th in Division 1 Overseas Player(s): Monde Zondeki Key Players: Darren Maddy & Boyd Rankin Best Odds: 5/1 Boylesports/Ladbrokes Predicted Finishing Position: 2nd Worcestershire had an awful season off the field last year. Their ground was proper flooded and they lost a lot of matches and a lot of money. It’s still the case today that any dramatic rainfall will flood the ground again which will hamper the Royals progress this season too. On the field they’ve lost key opener Phil Jaques and that’s left a big hole in their batting lineup. Vikram Solanki is a guy I like as captain and Graeme Hick continues to churn out the runs. Ben Smith is solid in the middle order and Steven Davies will improve again but Moeen Ali and Stephen Moore aren’t my idea of ideal openers. It may just be that Kabir Ali has to chip in with a few runs. With the ball it’s a different story. Simon Jones and Kabir Ali will always take wickets at this level as will Fidel Edwards when he comes over although Steve Magoffin isn’t the best overseas player until then. Gareth Batty continues to provide the spin but Worcestershire look a little light to me. The batting relies way too much on 3 men for Worcester to be in the mix in the 4 day game but a one day trophy – possibly the defence of their Pro40 crown won’t be beyond them. How much cricket they can play at New Rd this year may dictate their final league position but I think there will be more above them than below come the end of the season. Last Season: 9th in Division 1 Overseas Player(s): Steve Magoffin & Fidel Edwards Key Players: Vikram Solanki & Kabir Ali Best Odds: 8/1 Expekt/Blue Square Predicted Finishing Position: 7th Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Intensity Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Exceptional work Kev:ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexmac Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Crikey! Cracking post mate. I am looking forward to this starting. I too like the look of Surrey this year. Will post up more over the next few days./.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevshat Posted April 13, 2008 Author Share Posted April 13, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Cheers guys :ok. Two early outrights for me. One in each division. 3pts ew Surrey to win Division 1 7/1 Bet365 (1/5 1,2,3) Surrey have improved their squad dramatically this year and they've now got a squad which I believe can win the Championship. They always get good wickets at The Oval and although batting is easy there it's not impossible to bowl sides out like has been known at Taunton. Usman Afzaal is a great signing to shore up the batting which is led by Mark Ramprakash while Pedro Collins and Saqlain Mushtaq will boost any bowling lineup. Chis Jordan is a very good, young all rounder who will only get better and could have a great season. Mark Butcher is a solid captain who knows the game inside out and will be able to cope with the pressure should Surrey be there come the run in and at 7/1 they look well overpriced to win this. Sussex look the best of the rest but their squad isn't getting any younger while Lancashire, Yorkshire and Durham shouldn't be too far away. None look as strong as Surrey do and the Butcher partnership could bring the big one back to The Oval this season. 5pts Middlesex to win Division 2 4/1 Ladbrokes This is a wide open Division 2 this season but the more I look at this Middlesex squad, the more I think the rest are playing for 2nd place. They've got a really strong batting lineup. Owais Shah will be around for most of the season as he continues to be overlooked by England for the test team while Ed Joyce is a great batsman. Eoin Morgan didn't have the best of season's last year but he's quality too and Andrew Strauss will make a few appearances this summer too. Billy Godleman looks the business at the top of the order despite his young age and the Crusaders look full of runs. With the ball, Alan Richardson and Chris Silverwood will take wickets if they stay fit and Tim Murtagh's not bad either. But in Steven Finn they have the next big England seam bowler. This kid is quality. He models himself on Glenn McGrath and bowls a bit like him too and could well take plenty of wickets this season. He'll definitely play for England in the future - he's that good. Murali Kartik is a quality spinner and he'll arrive for the 2nd half of the season while Vernon Philander takes the overseas role until then. Shaun Udal adds lots of experience to a very good squad. Warwickshire look the best of the rest but in truth you can pick holes in all the others. Middlesex look strong though and get my outright money. I'll add more outrights in the run up to Wednesday but that'll do for starters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRat Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Great work Kev. As I said will try to contribute where possible, and will certainly follow with interes. We open against Warwickshire I think, and like you I'm not too sure about our batting line up, although pleased Simon Jones and Matt Mason are recovering. Can't see us getting a result against them still, and this in itself may be a bet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquillizer Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Nice stuff Kev Derbyshire have been smashed from 16s to top price 8s which is now daft. I had them at 14s in my tissue. I did have Worcs have at 6s so have a bit of that. Middlesex look the same every year in the fact they have a great batting line up but I cant trust them, Leics are a massive lay, they have Dippenaar and nobody else. Essex also have weak batting so cant have the Clarke will be a great captain, everything is more chilled, I dont know who else you could have given it to? There is only Buck Rogers that has more experience, the team had to make Stubbings captain a few times last year, there is no one else good enough to do it. I was talking to John Morris, he said he doesnt care about dressing room harmony, he said it was good sometimes to have a bit of tension but Clarke is loving it at Derby, said he should have left Surrey for the Midlands ages ago. Cant expect too much of Telo he is only a young lad. He`ll have to get used to different wickets, twice he has struggled on a bad damp wicket at Derbyshire last few days. He`ll be a future star. Bowling will be a strength when we get Langevelt, that will leave Lungley and Langer to open and then Wagg to come on first change which will save Wagg from getting burnt out. Sadler will be a good number 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquillizer Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 County Cricket Round 1. Not posted tips on here yet as I make the majority of my bets on cricket. I do my own tissue which have done for the last 5 years so I can spot any mistakes that I believe the bookies have made Division 1 Hants 6/4 Sussex 4/6 Kent 4/7 Notts 7/4 Surrey 11/8 Lancs 8/11 (Lancs always over-priced but sadly have a good team) Division 2 Essex 4/7 Northants 7/4 Gloucs Evens Derbyshire Evens Leicester 15/8 Middlesex 8/15 Warwickshire 4/5 Worcester 5/4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whycantistayawayfromdogs Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 nice work, ill be backin glamorgan in the championship this year, perhaps its blind optimism (they are my team) but i think powell being back is bigger than gillespie being there, our batting lineup now looks to have perhaps 1 weak link a second opener for wood(although rees has looked alright in friendlys. Our bowling as ever relys on people being fit. Ill be wetting myself if we can open the bowling with a fully fit harrison and then perhaps gillespie or harris or wharf. I actually think we have depth now. Big price imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Wong Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 superb write up Kev, so good infact - i cant decide who to back for the respective county titles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevshat Posted April 14, 2008 Author Share Posted April 14, 2008 Re: County Cricket Round 1. Not posted tips on here yet as I make the majority of my bets on cricket. I do my own tissue which have done for the last 5 years so I can spot any mistakes that I believe the bookies have made Division 1 Hants 6/4 Sussex 4/6 Kent 4/7 Notts 7/4 Surrey 11/8 Lancs 8/11 (Lancs always over-priced but sadly have a good team) Division 2 Essex 4/7 Northants 7/4 Gloucs Evens Derbyshire Evens Leicester 15/8 Middlesex 8/15 Warwickshire 4/5 Worcester 5/4 I like the 100% book mate :lol, if only bookies would do the same :(. I've merged your thread with the main one mate, just stick everything Championship in here rather than have separate weekly threads else we'll have threads everywhere. I'll open a Friends Provident thread later this week and ditto with that, stick everything in there mate. Hope that's ok :ok. Also, welcome to the creekit threads, you obviously know your stuff mate so here's to a good season :ok. As for Clarke, I've always had him as a bit overrated tbh. I acknowledge it's not his fault that everyone talked him as the next Flintoff but imo and I'm happy to be proved wrong but IMO he's a bit more than a bits and pieces batsman and a 4th or 5th choice bowler so I've never seen what all the fuss is about. He should be fine in the Championship but inexperienced captains in one day cricket often equals panic I believe. As you may know I'm a massive Hampshire fan and we have the same problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevshat Posted April 14, 2008 Author Share Posted April 14, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Great work Kev. As I said will try to contribute where possible' date=' and will certainly follow with interes. We open against Warwickshire I think, and like you I'm not too sure about our batting line up, although pleased Simon Jones and Matt Mason are recovering. Can't see us getting a result against them still, and this in itself may be a bet[/quote'] You'll be catching then at the right time mate because they've signed a few so there's a bit of gelling needed there but Ambrose not being centrally contracted doesn't help you much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquillizer Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Thats cool Kev, Two bets this week- High chance games in April will be affected by rain but DNB so thats cool 1pt Kent 5/6 (general) to beat Notts 1pt Middlesex 4/6 (ladbrokes and totesport) to beat Leicestershire Notts up a league and 5/6 ?No thanks dont impress me with their weak batting line up at all, Matt Wood couldnt get runs at Taunton, no David Hussey No Fleming, and make them pick em at Canterbury? No thanks. I go 4/7 so either bookies wrong or me. I`ll back myself thanks. Leicestershire will be awful this year, am always wary of betting Middlesex but I have them at 8/15. Leicestershire one man batting team, if Middlesex want to go up you have to go to Grace Road and beat Leicestershire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquillizer Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 rest of games no bet as no value next to my tissue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevshat Posted April 14, 2008 Author Share Posted April 14, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Leicestershire will be awful this year' date=' am always wary of betting Middlesex but I have them at 8/15. Leicestershire one man batting team, if Middlesex want to go up you have to go to Grace Road and beat Leicestershire.[/quote'] I wouldn't write Leicestershire off so quickly. They had 3 solid batsmen in Ackerman, Allenby and Nixon and Dippenaar will be a run machine. They've signed a couple of kolpaks who look good, especially this du Preez bloke who looks a gimme to go well in 1 day competitions. They might even be worth a few bob ew in the Championship. Dippenaar and Du Preez don't play in this match though so Middlesex should win that but when they do arrive I'll be keeping Leics on my side I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Leicestershire will be awful this year,. I wouldnt write us off yet :eek I think we will be FAR superior to last season, Nixon will make a great captain and Dippenear and Ackers should makes tons of runs, Dillon Du Preeze has been tearing up the 20/20 comp in South Africa this last week or so..... The bowling is anyones guess though, could be decent, could be shite. I'm ceratinly expecting a far better season than last year though. :cow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punto83 Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 :ok Cracking write up Kev. I hope you and the other cricket followers have a profitable year :hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevshat Posted April 14, 2008 Author Share Posted April 14, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 :ok Cracking write up Kev. I hope you and the other cricket followers have a profitable year :hope Cheers mate :ok. I'm going to add another outright and will probably add a couple more tomorrow along with my week 1 match bets. 4pts Kent to beat Hampshire & Nottinghamshire 7/4 Stan James I can't believe Kent are not favourites to beat Hampshire and Nottinghamshire over the course of the season. Kent have a very strong looking batting lineup while the other two don't have a batting lineup and had Hampshire not have signed Shane Bond they've have been in right trouble. Notts will be without their 2 main bowlers for most of the summer while Hampshire could finish the Championship season without an overseas player. Kent don't have the best overseas player but they are solid throughout their side and as I said in my preview I think Kent will finish ahead of both Hants and Notts come the end of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer89 Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Alot of detail in this topic, loving it. Will be keeping a close eye on this because i'm confident there will be profits. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samba_SamPa Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Good stuff Kev, Tranq et al, I will be keeping a close eye on this thread and posting as and when I'm having a bet. I'm a Durham fan, and after years of our sole aim being not to be bottom, all of a sudden there's a lot of expectation - inside and outside the club. It's how we deal with that that will be key this summer. Hopefully Harmi Senior will be ripping up the CC this season, proving a point to his doubters [albeit he deserves those doubters] in the game. If Steve is on form then that will go a long way towards compensating for no Ottis. Even aside from him though, we have a fairly decent bowling attack. Di Venuto on his Italian passport is a great stroke of luck for us, and hopefully he stays fighting fit all summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodyTHFC Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 42 pts staked. Div 1 Somerset 10/1 3 pts e.w Very tough and tight division to call imo and Somerset, after a brilliant season last year have enough about them to if not win the division at least go close and from an e.w perspective I think can be in the three. They were transformed last season under Langer and their batting looks very strong once again. Langer, Trescothick, Hildreth, Edwards all were over 1200 runs last year and thats not to mention the likes of Blackwell, Kieswetter, Trego, Jones who all provide batting depth. Given this batting power, it may well prove hard to beat Somerset this season and then you have to take into account the flat nature of the wickets at Taunton too. Regards bowling it is the weaker area but in the veterans Caddick and Willoughby they have two bowlers who can take wickets and the lead the attack well, the support bowlers are not as strong but that department has even been improved with Banks and Munday who is a young leg spinner of promise and has already an 8 for to his name, should feature more. Warwickshire won the championship a few years back with a team that rarely won but because of their hugely strong batting line up did not lose often and Somerset have the type of line up that could go fairly close @ 10/1. Key 16/1 3 pts e.w top bat in div 1 Only players in the list stand for these markets which include the main names and Key who has been top run scorer before can go quite close again. Having had a poor 2006 by his standards, Key had a very good 2007 in all forms of the game and the 4 day version was no different. He was fifth (one spot outside e.w place) in this last year as he cruised past 1000 runs (1250 overall at an average of just under 57.) He could well have been in the England set up this winter on the back of that but was ignored and England suffered in truth due to the lack of substantial runs by the main batsman until the final test of winter/spring. There is the danger he could be called up by England but i would think someone like Shah may just be above him and the Eng. selectors could easily ignore him to leave their chosen line up in tact and it would be surprising if New Zealand did anything to change their minds, maybe only the better quality of South Africa latter in the summer. Anyway Key, if he stays fit and playing for Kent, should score lots of runs. Div 2 I cant put my side Middlesex up as despite their good squad on paper we are consisitent underachivers and third place in this last year flattered us. Hope Im wrong and there is enough talent especially in the batting to do so but last year, facing weaker bowling than the past, we did not score the runs we should have on talent at least (only Smith over 1000 runs and he only performed at the end of the season, when nothing really mattered, Shah would be the exception as but for Eng he would have.) In the first innings especially we were poor, 35 batting points I think, might have been less. The bowling improved a bit on past seasons but a lot depends on if they can stay fit (Silverwood, Richardson especially) and how Kartik comes back form IPL? Still :hope Worcestershire 8/1 3 pts e.w Much shorter elsewhere, Worcestershire had an awful year last year in div 1, everything that could go wrong did and they were down a long time before the finish but saved themselves in the one day format when they impressively won the pro 40. They did get promotion two years ago so they have some pedigree and in this div. bowling teams out is most important imo in this div. and on paper at least, they have more than enough capability to do so. Jones if fit (huge doubt) is a big signing, Ali always seems to take wickets even if he can be expensive and Mason another one with fitness problems in the past is very useful. Magoffin and Edwards provide more wicket takers, Jones and Edwards together could be explosive. Batty provides the spin option but I do not see taking wickets a problem. Batting depth possibly is but then again Hick, down the order know but still hugely effective and arguably better in a more positive role, Solanki, Smith, Moore to name 4 are all players who can score 1000 runs and have done so in the past. Jaques is a loss but he was a loss last year really because he did little (30 average only.) They maybe on batsman short but someone could step up (M Ali?) i think they can have a good season. Dippenaar 14/1 3 pts e.w top bat in div 2 I thought Dippenaar would come close to be leading this market, a batsman of genuine quality, in tests probably underachievd but his ODI record (42 av.) shows his class and that was achieved in an old school style way with a strike rate of 'only' 67. Has scored lots of runs in South Africa for many years, nearly 10000 in first class cricket (43 av.) and I think the majority of bowling attacks he will find to his liking. Maddy 16/1 2 pts e.w top bat in div 2 Maddy along with Ambrose was one of the best players for Warwickshire last year in an awful year. The move from Leic. where he underachieved in the 4 day format having been a test player at one point helped him and captaincy did not stop him either. He scored nearly 800 runs at an average of over 46 and that remember in a higher division in a struggling team. The Bears should perform better this year and Maddy can have a good year. Ali 8/1 3 pts e.w top bowler in div 2 This is Kabir Ali from worc. Ali is a sometimes frustrating bowler as whilst he can bowl wicket taking deliveries one minute he can bowl absolute please hit me stuff the next. However what he has always done even in the ODI/test he played is take wickets, he will always be quite expensive but 56 wickets in a year not many bowlers reached 50 wickets was a fair return in a struggling team last year and in a higher div. He is not really interenational class and there are many ahead of him in that regard but he is capable of taking lots of wickets this year although should have more competition to do so. Hick to score 1000 championship runs 5/6 8 pts. Final one. Hick is a fantastic ambassedor for the game and even at his age still can dominate bowling attacks around the circuit. He keeps himself extremely fit and in his middle order role last season he had a very good year when many around him didnt, he was just short of 1000 runs but surley but for weather would have reached that landmark and in the one day game especially was sensational and one of the key reasons to the pro 40 title. Dropping down a div I think he can score 1000 runs even at no.5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquillizer Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Good stuff Kev, Tranq et al, I will be keeping a close eye on this thread and posting as and when I'm having a bet. I'm a Durham fan, and after years of our sole aim being not to be bottom, all of a sudden there's a lot of expectation - inside and outside the club. It's how we deal with that that will be key this summer. Hopefully Harmi Senior will be ripping up the CC this season, proving a point to his doubters [albeit he deserves those doubters] in the game. If Steve is on form then that will go a long way towards compensating for no Ottis. Even aside from him though, we have a fairly decent bowling attack. Di Venuto on his Italian passport is a great stroke of luck for us, and hopefully he stays fighting fit all summer. Diva was a legend for us and after all his loyal service his reward was getting showed the door which disgusted me. Was happy as larry to see him win a trophy. Real nice guy and top cricketer. We should have had him on a Kolpak but we treated him like shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquillizer Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 For some reason Bob Willis is tipping in the Racing Post (although uses it as a rant about kolpak players) Yorkshire 10/1 Warwickshire 5/1 -------------- Ed Hawkins. 1pt tresco 5/1 top div 1 runscorer. 2pts e/w owais shah 11/1 top div 2 2pts e/w ravi bopara 20/1 top div 2 2pts e/w Boeta Dippenaar 3pts e/w Yorkshire 10/1 1pt e/w Surrey 7/1 2pts e/w Leicestershire 14/1 :loon 2pts e/w Northants 12/1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevshat Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 I've never really rated Ed Hawkins much and having read that piece I've not changed my mind. I do agree with him that Leicestershire are overpriced at 16/1 and I might end up regretting not having an ew dabble on them but I'll live I'm sure. But how the fcuk can anybody tip Northants up at 12/1 :eek. There's nothing there :unsure. One batsman and 2 bowlers and a shit load of kolpak bits and pieces players. If Nicky Boje is batting at 3 in a 4 day match that's a side which ain't going to be anywhere near the top 3 :\. I'm also missing all this Somerset talk. Either I've got them completely wrong or various others have. The BBC likes them as does the guy at Sportinglife but where are 20 wickets coming from :unsure. They ain't coming all from Caddick that's for certain. Willoughby might chip in with a few but who else is there? Steffan Jones and Alfonso Thomas (so good even Warwickshire got rid) :unsure. Not for me. I'm certain they'll be nearer the bottom than the top. Too many draws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquillizer Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Somerset bullied poor teams on their flat wicket last season, this season they wont be intimidating teams in my opinion, I think they`ll come back down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royston Vasey Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 But how the fcuk can anybody tip Northants up at 12/1 :eek. There's nothing there :unsure. HOW VERY DARE YOU!!! :cry Happen to think you are over-rating the not so mighty Steelbacks. Not sure about a surprise packet, I will be surprised if we finish out of the bottom three in either league or indeed qualify for either the FPT or Twenty 20 quarters. It's being so optimistic that keeps me going!! The pre-season results went well with wins over Hampshire, Derby and Notts. However Mr Sales has been playing like a plum, apparently. Ironic when he looks like a tomato. A top six of Stephen Peters, Alex Wakely, Nicky Boje,David Sales, Rob White and Riki Wessels is unlikely to get fast bowlers twanging their hamstring on the morning of a match. Still with the Vicar of Wigley and Niall O'Byes on display, the entertainment value will be there. However our secret weapon, is a lad called Sean Bailey. Looks and is bulit like Steve Harmison ( hopefully he doesn't get a nose bleed on joining the motorway) and could surprise a few people before the season is out. That said our season, finished with Hall and van der Wath's application being turned down by the ECB. :moon For the record. I have backed Di Venuto and Key as top scorers in Div 1, Shah for Div 2. Surrey for the FPT and Gloucestershire to win the West Section of the FPT at 6/1 (nap), which is a remarkable price for a team which includes Spearman,Marshall,Kadeer Ali, Lewis and Greenidge *cough*. A very even group with Hampshire, Somerset, Glamorgan and Worcestershire. Let's face it everyone hates going to Bristol, even Bristolians! Good luck for a successful punting season! :hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevshat Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Let's face it everyone hates going to Bristol' date=' even Bristolians![/quote'] Surely that's except you :lol........................... well on Thursday's at least ;). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevshat Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 Right, enough of slagging off "experts" and back to betting. 2 more outrights. I was going to do a few more, I like Prior for top keeper but I've read he's thinking of giving the gloves up. Whilst that's clearly a good idea as he can't catch a cold internationally he's not bad at this level so that's a few points we might not get so I'll leave that. Was going to back Shah and Dippenaar ew to top score in Division 2 but Shah will miss games when the 1 dayers are on and could still get a test call up while Dippenaar misses this 1st match and if he starts to fill his boots and Ashwell Prince for example starts off badly over here then Dippy may still get called into that SA squad as he's over here already. 2 more to add to those I've already given though. 2pts ew M.Di Venuto Top Division 1 Season Runscorer 7/1 Ladbrokes (1/5 1,2,3) Ladbrokes only have a select group of players which count towards this bet. They are: Mark Ramprakash, Marcus Trescothick, Di Venuto, Robert Key, Murray Goodwin, Stuart Law, John Crawley, Jacques Rudolph and Mark Wagh. Michael Di Venuto is a top class batsman and he's here on an Italian passport so he can't play for Australia even if they want him too. He was going great guns with the bat last season before a broken hand ended his season prematurely. Di Venuto has always scored runs over here though, even in a pisspoor Derby side he still collected a sack load of runs and now he's back to full fitness I expect him to do so again this season. He's a solid opener and I always like openers when I do long term top batsmen because they are guaranteed innings all the time and with Ladbrokes paying 1st 3 in this 9 runner field, di Venuto looks an ew bet to nothing. 2pts ew J.Lawson Top Division 2 Season Wicket-taker 7/1 Ladbrokes (1/5 1,2,3) Ladbrokes have a select group of bowlers for this bet too so only these players count in this market: Danish Kaneria, Kabir Ali, Tom Lungley, Lawson, Jon Lewis, Johann Louw, Robert Croft, Alan Richadson and James Anyon. Jermaine Lawson has plenty of international experience, he's played 13 tests and 13 ODI's and has 51 test wickets and 17 ODI wickets to his name. His test best was a 7/78 against Australia and he also took a test match hat trick against them too. Believe me this guy can bowl and he could well turn out to be the best signing of the summer. He's up against a pretty select choice here but the market leader, Danish Kaneria doesn't arrive for a month so he's playing catch up immediately while Richardson and Anyon, as I write are both injured so it's fair to say this is a 6 runner field in which Ladbrokes pay top 3 ew. Lawson is 26 now so he should be in his prime and he's another who looks an ew bet to nothing here with Croft, Louw and Lungley possibly flattering to deceive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winbet Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Re: Cricket: County Championship 2008 I'm on Di Venuto at 14/1 e/w (top 4 1/4 odds) with betdirect, with all div 1 batsmen in. Di Venuto finished in the top 4 last season despite missing 4 games through injury. Injury apart will play all season, opens and so should give a good run for your money. I have shah 10/1 for division 2, risky though as scoring plenty of runs may well see him called up, more likely for the one dayers which will see him missing games. Yorks are my div 1 bet, I got 22/1 last season, and laid off, though best can get is 10/1 this. Leics have come in from the 16/1 mark and have made some good South African signings. More south africans than english in their line up for some games this season. I see them as solid e/w shouts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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