2023 County Championship Tips – Round 2

Below you can find picks for Round 2 of the County Championship season from The Stats Zone's top Cricket tipsters. All times given are based on UK start times.

Thursday, April 13

Division One

Essex vs Lancashire – 11:00am BST

Northamptonshire vs Middlesex – 11:00am BST

Nottinghamshire vs Somerset – 11:00am BST

Surrey vs Hampshire – 11:00am BST

Warwickshire vs Kent – 11:00am BST

Division Two

Durham vs Worcestershire – 11:00am BST

Gloucestershire vs Yorkshire – 11:00am BST

Leicestershire vs Derbyshire – 11:00am BST

Nottinghamshire vs Somerset – 11:00am BST

After being beaten away at Hampshire in their opening match back in Division One, Nottinghamshire will be hoping their home comforts serve them well against a Somerset side lucky to escape with a draw at home to Warwickshire. Notts will be significantly strengthened by the inclusion of England bowler Stuart Broad, who has been named in the squad and they’ll be confident of taking 20 wickets against a frail Somerset batting line-up.

Prediction: Nottinghamshire draw no bet

Warwickshire vs Kent – 11:00am BST

Had a full four days of play been possible at Taunton, Warwickshire could well have started their Championship campaign with an away win. The recruitments made on the bowling front look to have paid dividends and they are set to be boosted further with Chris Woakes having been named in the squad for the visit of Kent. The visitors are likely to struggle taking 20 wickets on what is usually a batter-friendly pitch at Edgbaston, but Warwickshire with Woakes, Rushworth, Hannon-Dalby and Hassan Ali should be capable of achieving that feat.

Prediction: Warwickshire draw no bet

Durham vs Worcestershire – 11:00am BST

Whilst Durham were beaten by Sussex in their first match of the season and Worcestershire winners against Derbyshire, playing in the North East should aide Scott Borthwick’s side in what already feels like a very important contest from their perspective. The Durham batters underperformed at Hove when you consider the players at their disposal and a strong reaction is expected from the hosts. Worcestershire are always a tough nut to crack with plenty of grit about their side. But Chester-le-Street is a difficult place to go and Durham will be expected to make better use of the conditions.

Prediction: Durham draw no bet