THE HUNDRED 💯: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Friday’s Hundred format game between Southern Brave v Trent Rockets with a recommended BETDAQ bet.

Southern Brave v Trent Rockets

MATCH OVERVIEW:

After an excellent month of cricket, we’ve reached the final stages of The Hundred! Southern Brave and Trent Rockets face off in the Eliminator at the Oval with a chance to face Birmingham Phoenix in the Final at Lord’s on Saturday. Although we started the tournament with very even markets, the top three sides really did produce the best cricket, and you can see the markets changing right throughout the tournament on BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE. as sides were made favourites instead of an even game just because of the shorter format.

Both Southern Brave and Trent Rockets have excellent bowling, and that tends to be more important in these franchise leagues. Usually; we get good wickets to score runs so good bowling is more important. I have to say though, the ECB must be a little disappointed with the scores for the tournament – they were pretty low and we definitely saw some dodgy pitches. The grounds were unlucky with the heatwave though and the wickets got very dry.

Both these sides have a pretty solid look to them going into the Eliminator. Rashid Khan is in superb form for Trent Rockets, which is incredible given what is happening in his home country, especially with his family still there. While their batting looks very solid with Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Samit Patel and D’Arcy Short. While Southern Brave started the tournament a little slowly – they really have grown into it. Quinton de Kock and Paul Stirling have made a difference since coming in from International duty and while they do have good bowling, it’s not as good as Trent Rockets and I feel that’s where the game will be won.

WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

The sides move to the Oval for the Eliminator. The last game here was a London Derby between London Spirit and Oval Invincibles – London Spirit have been poor with the bat but they scored 146/7 and it was chased down in 95 balls. Prior to that we saw 125/6 off 65 balls which is a pretty big score – Trent Rockets actually conceded that. That was rain affected, so I’m sure a wet ball effected the bowlers. Apart from Welsh Fire’s low score, who have been poor without Jonny Bairstow, the scoring has been good in general here. I would expect another reasonably high scoring game – with the side batting first looking for 160; but perhaps 150 would be enough. At the moment, the forecast is for 26 degrees but thunder storms, so watching the radar is a must.

RECOMMENDED BET:

This should be a very good and high quality game. It’s understandable to see the two sides very close together in the market. However, Southern Brave are slight favourites here and I would disagree with that. I can’t take anything away from either side because they have been top class, but Trent Rockets have been marginally better in my view. And they also have the better bowling as well, and I believe that is what will win them the game here. I would expect a good wicket with plenty of runs, so good bowling will be the difference.

The Edge Says:
Two points win Trent Rockets to beat Southern Brave at 2.02 with BETDAQ Betting Exchange

View the market here -> https://bit.ly/BDQSouTre

IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

Because we have two very strong sides here, this game will come down to star performances from either side. Both sides have the batters and bowlers to change the game. Looking at the conditions at the Oval during the tournament, I would favour the side bowling first for a possible trade. Chasing is relatively easy here given the boundaries, and if Trent Rockets bowled first I’d be happy to support them. I know Rashid Khan has been under immense pressure, especially with what’s happening at home, but he has delivered time and time again – he is worth supporting here too. I’m also a big fan of the Trent Rockets openers, and I’ll be looking for a trade when they are batting.