Below you can find picks for Round 5 of the County Championship season from The Stats Zone’s top Cricket tipsters. All times given are based on UK start times.
Friday, May 3
Division One
Lancashire vs Kent – 11:00 BST
Somerset vs Essex – 11:00 BST
Division Two
Derbyshire vs Sussex – 11:00 BST
Middlesex vs Leicestershire – 11:00 BST
Yorkshire vs Glamorgan – 11:00 BST
Lancashire vs Kent – 11:00 BST
Lancashire have endured an extremely worrying start to the season, but have had a week off to reflect and reload after being thrashed by Essex inside seven sessions at Chelmsford. Back at Emirates Old Trafford, this feels like a must-win from the hosts’ point of view against Kent who were also heavily beaten last time out and don’t look like taking 20 wickets across a match anytime soon. Home conditions should favour the spin of Nathan Lyon and the expectation is that Lancashire will record their first victory of the season.
Prediction: Lancashire draw no bet
Middlesex vs Leicestershire – 11:00 BST
Although Middlesex were forced to settle for a draw away at Gloucestershire, their last match at Lord’s ended with them overcoming a strong Yorkshire side by six wickets. One could argue that Middlesex boast the most dangerous bowling attack in Division Two and combined with heavy run-scorers such as Leus du Plooy and all-rounder Ryan Higgins, the London based county are well-set for success. Leicestershire’s bowling attack looks a significant step down in comparison and with that in mind, backing Middlesex to beat the Foxes appears a smart play this week.
Prediction: Middlesex draw no bet
Yorkshire vs Glamorgan – 11:00 BST
It would be no surprise to see a ‘spicier’ surface this week at Headingley that gives the bowlers more of a chance and increases the likelihood of a result. With captain Shan Masood, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Adam Lyth and Finn Bean a safe bet to rack up the runs for Yorkshire, they need to figure out a way to get 20 wickets to give themselves a strong chance of defeating Glamorgan. The Welsh side looked second-best against Northamptonshire in a rain-affected contest and are likely to struggle again this time around. Consider backing Yorkshire to finally grab that crucial win.
Prediction: Yorkshire draw no bet