Cricket Tips

Cricket Vitality Blast: North and South Groups Preview & Betting Tips

On a Thursday evening when Surrey face Middlesex in the London derby at the Oval, the value on victories lies elsewhere. North Group leaders Birmingham Bears stand out in that regard.


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  • Vitality Blast, North and South Groups
  • Thursday June 22, 2023, 5.30pm-7pm

Tomorrow evening sees five games played across the two groups, with Surrey and Middlesex facing off in front of the Sky Sports cameras at 6.30pm following the opening day of the women’s Ashes Test Match at Trent Bridge.

While Surrey are second in the South with eight wins from 11, Middlesex sit bottom having made it an imperfect 10. They have lost the lot. It’s therefore no surprise to see Surrey at 3/10 to win. I will be swerving that price as I just don’t see the value.

The fixture where I see most value on the victors is at Headingley between inconsistent Yorkshire and North Group leaders Birmingham, who have won seven of 10 compared to their hosts’ six for 11.

The Bears are 4/5 to win with bet365 amongst other firms, and that’s a price I would be taking. They have won their last three, and Yorkshire - bowled out for 68 by Derbyshire and 102 by Northamptonshire - have lost their last two.

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Graham Hardcastle's Cricket Tips

Yorkshire v Birmingham Bears

Birmingham Bears look good value at 4/5 to beat Yorkshire

fire

At 4/5 a £10 bet would return £18

Cricket Vitality Blast

June 22, 2023

6:30 pm GMT+1

BetVictor have Nottinghamshire at 3/5 to win at Worcestershire. Both teams are firmly in the hunt for quarter-final qualification. And while I accept you could make a case for either to win, I just fancy Notts more.

I tipped them as my pre-tournament winners. Sat second in the table having won five of their last six games, I see no reason to deviate from that yet.

If you want a dabble on the double, the same firm, BetVictor, are also offering 33/20 on Birmingham and Notts to win.


Surrey v Middlesex, Kia Oval, 6.30pm

I will give you a trio of prices for this televised contest, ranging from short-priced to long, all on offer with bet365.

The first is the 5/6 they are offering on the highest individual batting score in the match to be over 70.5.

Two Surrey players - Sean Abbott and Laurie Evans - have posted centuries so far added to an 83 for Will Jacks. Middlesex have seen Max Holden post 121, Stevie Eskinazi a 94, Pieter Malan 80 and James Cracknell 77. Even with Middlesex struggling, there should be enough batting talent on show to secure this bet.

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Graham Hardcastle's Cricket Tips

Surrey v Middlesex

There should be enough batting talent on show to land this bet

fire

At 5/6 a £10 bet would return £18.33

Cricket Vitality Blast

June 22, 2023

6:30 pm GMT+1

A price of 3/1 on opener Laurie Evans to be Surrey’s top batter is available. He is the sixth leading run-scorer in the competition with 396. I would be taking that.

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Graham Hardcastle's Cricket Tips

Surrey v Middlesex

Graham is taking the 3/1 on opener Laurie Evans for top home batter

fire

At 3/1 a £10 bet would return £40

Cricket Vitality Blast

June 22, 2023

6:30 pm GMT+1

I would also be interested in the 11/2 bet365 are offering on there to be a hundred scored in the match.

Across both teams through this competition, there have been three centurions - Abbott, Evans and Holden. The pitch should be good, a high-scoring contest could be in store. This is worth a small stakes approach.

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Graham Hardcastle's Cricket Tips

Surrey v Middlesex

Graham is interested in the 11/2 on a century to small stakes

fire

At 11/2 a £10 bet would return £65

Cricket Vitality Blast

June 22, 2023

6:30 pm GMT+1


Day off work? Get in front of the box early

England’s men may not have done the business in the first Test, and I don’t see them winning the Ashes. But I do have more confidence in the women getting the job done.

The only Test of the multi-format Ashes, of which Australia are holders, is played at Trent Bridge from tomorrow. It’s a five-day affair, so there should be a result.

I wonder whether Australia may be a bit undercooked coming out of their winter. They certainly indicated that in getting bowled out for 284 and then conceding 562 to England A in a friendly last week.

I’m going to suggest the 4/1 William Hill are offering on England to get off to a flyer and win in Nottingham.

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Graham Hardcastle's Cricket Tips

England Women vs Australia Women

Graham is having a nibble on England to get off to a flyer in Nottingham at 4/1

fire

At 4/1 a £10 bet would return £50

Women's Ashes Test

June 22, 2023

11:00 am GMT+1


* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.

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Graham Hardcastle

Graham Hardcastle

Graham Hardcastle is our resident cricket and tennis betting expert at Freebets