County Championship week 3 previewSomething seems to be working with the rule changes in the CC. 13 positive results from the 14 matches played so far. Is it the tweak to the bonus points, the ban on the heavy roller after the commencement of the match, the adjustment of win and draw points to 16 and 3 respectively, or is it just the decent dry weather we have had.
The next round of matches starts on Wednesday and after getting 12 out of 14 predictions wrong in weeks 1 and 2, I will boldly go where no man has gone before with my predictions for week 3.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
LV County Championship: Division One
Durham v Hampshire, Riverside, 11:00
Essex v Lancashire, Chelmsford, 11:00
Kent v Yorkshire, Canterbury, 11:00
Nottinghamshire v Somerset, Trent Bridge, 11:00
Durham entertains Hampshire at the Riverside with both sides looking for their first win of the season - I predict a win for Durham. Essex play Lancashire at Chelmsford, with both sides undefeated and with one win prediction, a win for Essex. Top of the table Yorkshire take on Kent who lost their first match. New this season, Yorkshire captain, Gale has a 100 percent record and had a great personal performance in the recent win against Somerset and will be aiming for a hat trick of wins. However, the result of this match is dependant on the availability of Bresnan, Shazad and Best for Yorkshire. If they play, this match will be a win for Yorkshire; otherwise a draw is the likely result. In the other Division One Match, Notts, who won their first match, are at home to beaten Somerset - prediction, a win for Notts.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
LV County Championship: Division Two
Derbyshire v Glamorgan, Derby, 11:00
Gloucestershire v Sussex, Bristol, 11:00
Northamptonshire v Middlesex, Northampton, 11:00
Surrey v Worcestershire, Whitgift School, 11:00
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In Division Two, Derbyshire host Glamorgan and with both sides having won 1 and lost 1 so far, I predict a draw in this match. Gloucester, who are in bottom place, entertain Sussex, who top the table with two straight wins, so I predict this will be a win for the south coast team. Northants, on the back of a comfortable win in their last match, are at home to Middlesex, and I predict they will be to strong for their opponents and they will register another win. The last match in Division Two is Whitgift School where Surrey plays Worcestershire. The strong looking Surrey side has started badly this season with two losses so far but I predict an end to that sequence with a draw in this match.
Next Sunday the 40 over competition starts with 21 teams in groups of seven with each team playing 12 matches.
ECB Clydesdale Bank 40 over competition.
Group A
ECB Recreational XI, Glamorgan, Lancashire, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex, Worcestershire.
Group B
Derbyshire, Essex, Gloucestershire, Middlesex, Holland, Northamptonshire, Yorkshire.
Group C
Durham, Hampshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Scotland, Warwickshire.
Predictions for the first weeks fixtures are marked with an asterisk.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Clydesdale Bank 40
Durham v Hampshire, Riverside, 13:45 * Durham
Essex v Yorkshire, Chelmsford, 13:45 * Essex
Glamorgan v Somerset, The Swalec Stadium, 13:45 * Somerset
Gloucestershire v Derbyshire, Bristol, 13:45 * Gloucester
Kent v Warwickshire, Canterbury, 13:45 * Kent
Leicestershire v Nottinghamshire, Grace Road, 13:45 * Notts
Northamptonshire v Middlesex, Northampton, 13:45 * Northants
Surrey v Lancashire, Whitgift School, 13:45 * Lancashire
Worcestershire v Sussex, New Road, 13:45 * Worcestershire
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