THE EDGE: The Edge previews The Hundred clash between Trent Rockets v Birmingham Phoenix with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Trent Rockets v Birmingham Phoenix
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The Hundred continues on Wednesday as Trent Rockets host Birmingham Phoenix on Betdaq Betting Exchange. This should be a good game, and even if we have half of the drama we had from the Trent Rockets game on Monday night then we’re in for a treat! Manchester Originals needed just two runs from the final three balls against Trent Rockets, but Jordan Thompson bowled a dot ball, then wicket run out off his own bowling and finished with a wicket again! Incredible to win from that position; let alone even avoid the tie which was only one run off three balls. That was the most dramatic game of the Hundred so far, and it was badly needed after an opening week of very one sided games.
That leaves Trent Rockets sitting pretty with two wins from two games. Their first win was a demolition job and their second a proper grind – so far they have ticked a lot of boxes. Birmingham Phoenix were blown away in their opening game, all out for just 89, but they bounced back with a win over London Spirit at the weekend. That was a very close game too; and it has to be said that London Spirit look a weak side on paper this season too. I feel the jury is still definitely out on Birmingham Phoenix.
Rashid Khan has come in for the Trent Rockets now that the MLC is over. They have a very solid top three in the batting in English conditions, and while their middle order could be better, they do tick a lot of boxes for franchise cricket. At the moment, they look one of the stronger sides. Birmingham Phoenix still need Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali to come to the party – they were lucky to win with them only scoring four between them at the weekend.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
This is the first game of the Hundred at Trent Bridge. They hosted the 2nd Test between England and West Indies. Scoring conditions are generally good here, especially in white ball cricket. In the Test was saw West Indies scored 457 in their first innings which was their biggest score of the summer by far. Last season the scores weren’t too high however; 133/8 (won), 142/5 (won), 181/6 (won) and 162/6 (won). You’d definitely want to bat first looking at last season! In 2022, two scores were chased from the four games.
RECOMMENDED BET:
As I said above, the jury is still definitely out on Birmingham Phoenix in my opinion. London Spirit look weak and they only barely got over the line against them; plus Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali have yet to look in form which is going to be absolutely key for Birmingham Phoenix. Obviously those two players could catch fire at any time; they have the talent, however Trent Rockets have a much stronger squad and they have been playing much better cricket in the opening two games. I’d have them shorter than 1.78 here, and they are worth a confident bet.
The Edge Says:
Three points win Trent Rockets to beat Birmingham Phoenix at 1.78 on Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/TreBir
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
Rashid Khan will make the Trent Rockets bowling a lot stronger, especially in the middle part of the game. Scoring conditions should be good here, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a reasonably high scoring game. However, I would only be very confident in the Trent Rockets batting here – I’m not a far of the Birmingham Phoenix batting outside of Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali who have been woeful with the bat so far! I’d expect batting first to offer a little edge, and hopefully that is Trent Rockets.
