While the Indian Premier League shimmers and sparkles, County Championship Division two fare is mundane by comparison. It is not particularly thrilling, attendances are scant and you will have never heard of some of the players. And nor are you ever likely to.
But that doesn’t mean it should be disregarded as a betting heat. The poor old county game gets kicked from pillar to post. Indeed, it is an Englishman’s favourite hobby. It is an inconvenient truth that the first-class domestic game is the most competitive in the world.
Not that the bookies reckon the race for the title in the bottom rung is competitive. It appears to be a shoo-in for Nottinghamshire, who are no better than 2.38 among green listed bookmakers for glory. It is true that Notts are far too big a beast to be prowling around these quarters but the odds are way too short.
Nottinghamshire will almost certainly be promoted. That’s because they possess some terrific players, even if Stuart Broad, England’s pacer, was hoping to get an extended run with his county. He has been rested by England just as Notts thought he was going to get them off to a flier.
Jake Ball, who will probably replace Broad one day in England whites, is a potent paceman at this level and he will be well supported by the admirable James Pattinson and slippery Harry Gurney. With the bat, Michael Lumb and Alex Hales are classy.
But we mustn’t forget this lot finished bottom of the pile in the top flight last season. That’s important because, for some reason, there is always this belief that there is a huge gulf between the two sections. There isn’t. In reality, there is a huge gulf between Division One and the also-rans of Division Two, sides like Gloucestershire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire.
The weakness which Notts displayed last season – they failed to even win after their first outing – will have to be ironed out rapidly.
Instead, Sussex looks a much more attractive proposition at 5 with Bet365 and Paddy Power. Sussex are almost always competitive. They are earnest in their approach and in the close season they pulled off quite a coup with the capture of South Africa all-rounder David Wiese and compatriot Stiian van Zyll as Kolpak players. Throw in another Saffer Test star in the excellent Vernon Philander for the early part of the campaign and they are surely the team to beat.
It is true that Sussex were relegated as well the last term. But they did it with way more fight and aptitude than Notts. It didn’t happen into the final round and they were horribly depleted by injuries to the pace attack and skipper Luke Wright. They are a terrific bet to beat the lot this season so make sure you don’t miss out.
Calculators
