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Andrew Flintoff takes charge of Northern Superchargers in his first head coach role, although his side who takes on Trent Rockets will be a depleted one.
DATE & TIME: Friday July 26th 2024: USA ET – 1:35pm / USA PT – 10:35am / UK – 6:35pm / India – 11:05pm
VENUE: Headingley, Leeds, England
WEATHER: Dry with patches of sunshine and temperatures at 19c come the start of play
HOW TO WATCH THE HUNDRED: USA – Willow & DAZN / UK – Sky Sports & BBC / INDIA – Fancode Click here for a list of broadcasters in other territories
HOW TO GET TICKETS FOR THE HUNDRED: Click here for the latest ticket information for Northern Superchargers Men vs Trent Rockets Men
NORTHERN SUPERCHARGERS MEN FORM: CAN FREDDIE CHARGE UP FAILING TEAM
Northern Superchargers are still yet to secure a top three finish across the men’s edition of the Hundred and head coach James Foster was dismissed after two seasons in the role. His replacement, former England superstar Andrew Flintoff has drawn excitement from the cricketing world with many seeing this as an audition for a future England head coach role down the line.
TRENT ROCKETS MEN FORM: POOR TITLE DEFENCE LAST YEAR REQURES RECTIFYING
Although Trent Rockets lifted the men’s Hundred title back in 2022, Lewis Gregory’s men failed to make the play-offs in 2023, missing out by four points with a negative win-ratio come the end of the group stage. They’ll have to make do without all-rounder Daniel Sams this year due to a knee injury, so fellow Australian Riley Meredith has been signed on the back of an impressive T20 Blast campaign at Somerset.
NORTHERN SUPERCHARGERS MEN BETTING ANALYSIS
Northern Superchargers are without plenty of big names to start the tournament, particularly on the batting front with Harry Brook playing for England and Nicholas Pooran at Major League Cricket. This should ensure that new signing Jason Roy starts the season at the top of the order and the former ICC Cricket World Cup winner has a big point of prove after being released by Oval Invincibles. Back Roy to accrue over 21.5 match runs in this opening game.
However, Adil Rashid ensures a significant injection of quality with the ball. Rashid’s right-arm spin is a huge weapon, whilst his ‘googly’ is good enough to outfox any player. With batters having little choice but to attack with just 100 balls to play with, this works in Rashid’s favour, so back him to record 2+ wickets here.
TRENT ROCKETS MEN BETTING ANALYSIS
Whilst his place in the team isn’t nailed on, Adam Lyth has to be a big candidate to start and open the batting for Trent Rockets when considering his knowledge of this ground. A Yorkshire stalwart, Lyth’s entire domestic career has seen him call Headingley home and no one knows these boundaries quite like him. With that in mind, if he does feature then Lyth warrants investment via the ‘Batter Milestones’ market, specifically to score 20+ runs.
We mentioned that Riley Meredith has been recruited by the Rockets and it would be no surprise to see him carry his Blast form into the men’s Hundred. Meredith also has a point to prove to the Australian selectors, so a stake on him to finish as Trent Rockets is top bowler here could be a shrewd move.
NORTHERN SUPERCHARGERS MEN VS TRENT ROCKETS MEN EXPERTPREDICTION
The Superchargers have home advantage and the Flintoff factor, which makes them dangerous opposition. They also have what is on paper a very underrated bowling attack, which will underpin any success they have this season. Trent Rockets probably have a stronger batting line-up though, when considering the absentees within the home side’s original squad.
It is those missing players that will probably end up being the deciding factor in what is usually a very high scoring ground. Back the extra firepower of Trent Rockets against a Superchargers XI without Brook and Pooran to claim the two points in this one.
NORTHERN SUPERCHARGERS MEN VS TRENT ROCKETS MEN TOP TIP:TRENT ROCKETS TO WIN