The 2018 County Championship will get underway in the UK on the 13th April, with a host of teams ready to wrest away the trophy from current champions Essex.
While Cricket England will have other concerns over the summer months, namely the Test Series against India, there will be plenty of action in the County Championship to keep fans’ attention.
The County Championship is a brilliant breeding ground for new players, but also offers the chance for experienced players to find their feet again.
There should be lots of good opportunities to make a little cash for the new season, especially when you check out the latest 2018 betting offers and promotions for UK punters to use on cricket. Below is a betting guide to the new season in County Cricket:
The Outright Favourites:
Essex look a very strong candidate to win their second successive County Championship title. The 2017 champions have been priced at odds of 3/1 to win this season, which looks a fair assessment. Essex were miles ahead of anyone last year, going through the entire season unbeaten in amassing 248 points. The team has last year’s top two wicket takers in Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer, with the former regarded as one of the star performers last season.
Lancashire also look to have high hopes to improve on last year’s second-placed finish and have been given odds of 9/2 to do so. The other teams in with a serious chance of finishing top in September are: Surrey 6/1, Nottinghamshire 6/1, Hampshire 7/1 and Yorkshire 8/1.
Backing the Top Batsman:
Kumar Sangakkara was the top batsman last season, hitting an amazing 1491 runs in just 10 games. However, the great Sri Lankan will not likley figure in the County Championship this year. Nick Gubbins is the outright favourite to hit the most runs, currently sitting at odds of 7/1. Mark Stoneman, runner up to Sangakkara last season, must be given some consideration at 10/1.
Others leading the odds include: Adam Lyth and Ian Bell both at 14/1, Alex Lees and Gary Ballance at 16/1. Indeed, if you feel Sangakkara will do a career U-turn, you can also back him at 16/1.
Division 2 Betting:
A lot of punters will be backing Middlesex at odds of 15/8 to win Division 2 this season. The 2016 Division 1 Champions will feel somewhat aggrieved to have been relegated last year, after suffering a points deduction for slow rate in a match against Surrey. They have the quality to be in the division above already and look the perfect side to back using one of those betting promotions mentioned above. Competition will come in the shape of Warwickshire (9/2) and Sussex (5/1).
Royal London One-Day Cup Betting:
While the competition format still seems to be finding its feet, the One-Day Cup is still worth a look in June. Yorkshire are the standout candidates this year, placed at odds of 13/2 currently. The format should suit their players and it would be surprising not to see them make it deep into the latter stages of the tournament. Others being backed in the odds include Nottinghamshire at 8/1 and Surrey at 9/1.