County cricket’s big day out takes place at Edgbaston on Saturday – the T20 Blast Finals Day.
An action-packed day filled with big shots on the pitch, and a big atmosphere off it, Finals Day really is the highlight of the county season.
Lancashire, Worcestershire, Sussex and Somerset will all be going out to win the trophy – our cricket betting expert has taken a look through for the best bets.
Lancashire v Worcestershire
2015’s champions Lancashire return to Edgbaston hoping to make it a second title in four years, and facing their seventh Finals Day – up against a Worcestershire team here for the first time.
Both sides are packed with big hitting, and led by their international stars.
Jos Buttler for Lancashire, and Moeen Ali for Worcestershire are arguably the two best players on display on Saturday, and after their exploits in England’s Test series against India, will hope to make their mark for their counties.
Lancashire are undoubtedly favourites – they have the experience, a batting line up chock full of big hitting, and classy spinners who could decide the game late on.
Worcestershire won’t mind being underdogs, however, and after T20 titles for unfancied Northamptonshire and Leicestershire in recent years, there’s something to be said for flying under the radar.
The Rapids have had a dream run so far, and I think that can carry on on Saturday. I suggest backing Worcestershire with Grosvenorsport.com at 11/10.
Sussex v Somerset
Two southern sides make up the second semi-final, which promises to be a cracker.
Somerset topped the South Group after winning 10 of their 14 matches, and dominating plenty of sides.
They haven’t won this tournament since 2005 despite reaching Finals Day on a number of occasions – notably losing three finals on the spin from 2009 to 2011.
That 2009 defeat was to Sussex, who only just snuck through the group stage, but have bags of momentum on their side.
In Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan and Tymal Mills, they have an international standard pace attack, and the spin of Will Beer and Danny Briggs isn’t too far off either.
Allied to their big-hitters like Luke Wright, Laurie Evans and Delray Rawlins, and Sussex have one formidable side.
I think the momentum of Sussex will prove too much for Somerset, and suggest backing them at 9/10 to take the semi-final.
Indeed, Jason Gillespie’s men are my tip to lift the trophy, and can be backed at 5/2 to be victorious on Finals Day.
Leave a Reply