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Prediction 1
Ben Duckett to be England's highest run scorer (First Innings) England v Australia
9/2 (5.50)
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Odds from
Prediction 2
Somerset to win Somerset v Surrey
11/10 (2.10)
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Thursday’s action sees the start of the Men’s Ashes as England take on Australia at Edgbaston in the First Test. Australia are the current holders of the urn and haven’t given it up since regaining it in 2017-18, 2019 (drawn series) and 2021-22. However, England have not lost a home Ashes series since 2001 and have won 11 of their last 13 Tests.
Alongside this heavyweight Test contest, we also have the top two in the South Group of the 2023 Vitality Blast as Somerset go head to head with Surrey on Thursday evening.
Talk about a mouthwatering day and evening of cricket.
Read on for Thursday’s cricket predictions!
Contents
Ben Duckett to be England’s highest run scorer
England have had well documented problems at the top of the order with no player able to take Andrew Strauss’ place as Alastair Cook’s opening partner after 2012 and none able to nail down a place since Cook retired in 2018. Zak Crawley continues to struggle, particularly in the opening berth in England, but in Ben Duckett, England may well have found their answer.
Since returning to the Test team in Pakistan at the end of last year, the diminutive left-hander is averaging 69.00 from 12 innings which have included two centuries and four fifties. He is a natural fit with England’s attacking style and, although this will be his first Ashes Test, we are backing him to be England’s highest run scorer in the first innings at Edgbaston.
Somerset to beat Surrey
Two top T20 sides go head to head in the Westcountry on Friday evening with Somerset, top of the South Group, taking on Surrey in second place. Somerset have Will Smeed in brilliant form at the top of the order with the ‘Two Toms’ – Banton and Kohler-Cadmore both coming into this match off the back of a strong campaign. Surrey will play with their usual swagger but we are backing Somerset to win this clash.
T20 Blast
Although it is the Indian Premier League which is the global leader, it was the ECB who first brought the T20 format to life in 2003. Since then, countless players have made a name for themselves in this tournament which attracts large crowds and some of the world’s best cricketers.
County Championship
The English County Championship is played over two divisions with the best England players going on to represent their country at Test level. Some of the top players from across the globe also come to try and improve their red ball game, particularly when their country is about to play in a Test series against England. With 18 counties, there is a wide range of abilities of individual players and a good cricket tip is to see when some of the top overseas players are in action as they can often dominate.
Test Cricket
The oldest and most loved format of the game in England will come to life once more this summer as Australia contest the Ashes! The visitors currently hold the famous urn but have not won a series in the UK since 2001. Earlier in the 2023 summer, England will also take on Ireland in a Test Match at Lord’s.
Best Markets To Consider
Cricket tips come in all shapes and sizes and there are various markets to consider:
Top Wicket Taker – some bowlers are lethal at this level and particularly those who can nail their yorkers and slower balls. Conceding runs does not really matter in most formats nowadays with captains regularly looking to throw the ball to the bowler who can give them a breakthrough.
Highest Run Scorer – of course, anyone can have a surprise innings from nowhere but the best batters in cricket are remarkably consistent. Look out for players with an average above 30 in T20 cricket, 40 in ODIs and 50 in Tests. Anyone who bats in the top four is always a sensible option as a cricket tip.
Player of The Match – with 22 players on the pitch, this can seem like a long-shot but the odds reflect it. However, particularly T20 cricket is very much about confidence and momentum so if you see a player coming into the game off the back of a strong performance, do not be surprised if he or she produces the goods again in the next fixture.
Total Runs – this market can be used on an individual player, a team total or even for an opening partnership. Before backing a total runs market, be sure to do your homework on the pitch. Some venues are notoriously hard for batting with others offering short boundaries and run-fests for the players and spectators alike. Always study the form of the individual players alongside recent scores at the particular ground.
Most Sixes – Certain teams play cricket in a more attacking manner than others with England’s Test side under Brendan McCullum a case in point. Look out for teams who play under a laid back coach and target longer stretches of form rather than getting wound up about every game. Those teams put in the most consistent and attacking performances.
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