2023 County Championship Tips – Round 3

Below you can find picks for Round 3 of the County Championship season from The Stats Zone's top Cricket tipsters. All times given are based on UK start times.

Thursday, April 20

Division One

Kent vs Essex – 11:00am BST

Middlesex vs Nottinghamshire – 11:00am BST

Northamptonshire vs Hampshire – 11:00am BST

Somerset vs Lancashire – 11:00am BST

Division Two

Glamorgan vs Durham – 11:00am BST

Sussex vs Yorkshire – 11:00am BST

Worcestershire vs Gloucestershire – 11:00am BST

Middlesex vs Nottinghamshire – 11:00am BST

We’re two rounds into the County Championship and it already feels like it could be a long season for Middlesex, the newly promoted side having begun with two defeats, leaving them rooted to the foot of the Division One table. Their top order batting in particular has been the main cause for their struggles, the top four still yet to pass 120 runs between them across four innings. Nottinghamshire meanwhile, bounced back from defeat at the hands of Hampshire with a 165-run victory against Somerset. Whilst this game does take place away from home, it would be a smart move to back them against an under-pressure and out of form Middlesex.

Prediction: Nottinghamshire draw no bet

Northamptonshire vs Hampshire – 11:00am BST

Hampshire had more than matched defending champions Surrey at the Oval for three days of their Division One encounter, but a fantastic top order performance from the hosts and Ollie Pope especially, led to Surrey completing a successful fourth innings run chase for the loss of just one wicket. Expect a strong Hampshire response and a bowling line-up of Kyle Abbott, Mohammad Abbas and Keith Barker should be afforded plenty of joy against a fighting, but limited Northamptonshire. Expect a low-scoring encounter, but Hampshire to eventually come out on top.

Prediction: Hampshire draw no bet

Somerset vs Lancashire – 11:00am BST

Another team whose batting unit is letting them down significantly is Somerset, whose unconvincing draw at home to Warwickshire, was followed by a big loss away at Nottinghamshire. Whilst opponents Lancashire are also without a win across their opening two matches, it could be argued that they had a significantly tougher pair of fixtures, playing Surrey at home and Essex away, drawing both. On what is likely to be a result pitch at Taunton, Lancashire should come into their own and record their first win of the campaign, further increasing the scrutiny on Somerset.

Prediction: Lancashire draw no bet