The Friends Life Twenty20 is getting into full swing with another round of matches set for Wednesday, featuring two of the leading protagonists in the outright betting – defending champions Hampshire at 6/1 and Nottinghamshire at 13/2 at Betfred
The Hawks have made an impressive start to the Twenty20 season with three wins from three matches, including a seven-wicket win over 4/1 outright favourites Somerset in their opening game.
However, the two clubs are currently locked on four points at the top of the South Group, along with Sussex – who have only played two games - as Hampshire have been docked two points for a poor pitch last season.
The defending champions though have made short work of their opposition thus far and boast a strong top order with Michael Lumb and Jimmy Adams able to set a fast tempo from the get-go.
It is no surprise to see the Hawks installed as 4/9 favourites in the match betting to maintain their 100 percent start to the campaign against Glamorgan (13/8) on Wednesday.
The Dragons racked up an impressive 199-3 in their only game so far, with Alviro Petersen smashing 72, but that came against Middlesex who followed up that defeat by conceding 235 runs against Somerset.
If Glamorgan can make early inroads into the Hawks, a shock could be on the cards, but Hants look strong and can make home advantage count.
Sussex will try to extend their unbeaten start at Essex and with both teams priced at 9/10 in the match betting, it is worth going with the away side to come up with the goods.
Although the Eagles can boast big-hitters Ravi Bopara, Ryan ten Doeschate and Graham Napier, Sussex have the bowling attack to control the game – and did so with a 32-run win in the opening round of matches last week.
Nottinghamshire have been full of runs at home in a two-match winning start and are 4/6 favourites to continue that run with their first road trip to Warwickshire (11/10).
David Hussey and Adam Voges have made impressive starts to the campaign while Samit Patel is a danger with both bat and ball.
The Bears suffered their first defeat on Sunday after failing to end Northamptonshire’s innings when they should have, allowing a
record 59-run 10th wicket stand before being skittled for 110.
The Bears had previously won their opening two matches but perhaps lack the marquee players that other sides, including Notts, boast.
Lancashire are another team that have yet to taste defeat this season and are the 8/15 favourites to take care of Leicestershire (11/8) for the second time in four days.
The Foxes only lost two wickets when posting 173 at Grace Road on Sunday but the Lightning cruised to a five-wicket win with 11 balls to spare on the back of a terrific innings of 75 from Tom Smith (3/1 to top score for Lancs again) – coming off just 45 balls.
There is potential for an upset in this Old Trafford clash as neither side has a truly big star in Twenty20 cricket and a more aggressive approach from the Leicestershire batsmen could reap the rewards.
