THE EDGE: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Thursday’s ‘The Hundred’ clash between Southern Brave v Trent Rockets with a recommended BETDAQ bet.

Southern Brave v Trent Rockets

MATCH OVERVIEW:

While all eyes might be on the Test match between England and South Africa at Old Trafford, The Hundred continues on Thursday night on BETDAQ Betting Exchange. Southern Brave take on Trent Rockets in a must win game for the home side. This will be the second must win game in a few days for Southern Brave, who beat Welsh Fire on Monday evening to move a little closer to the chasing pack in the Playoff race. If they lost that game they were definitely out of it, and to be honest they probably still are. They have only managed two wins from their six games, and both of those have come against Welsh Fire who easily look the worst team in the competition.

It’s been quite a drop off in form since winning the competition last season, however they have managed to bring back Paul Stirling after Cricket Ireland allowed him to re-join until the end of the season. He started with a bang too with 74 runs off 42 balls – they will need him to continue that good form for the rest of the tournament. It will likely suit James Vince to move down to three or four in the betting order too. They face an in-form Trent Rockets side here though who sit top of the table with five wins from six games. They just look like a very solid team over-all where everyone knows their role. They have Rashid Khan leading the bowling attack which is obviously a huge help, but their batting has a lot of firepower too. This format just suits the likes of Hales, Malan and Munro and then they have a sensible middle order behind them too. Another interesting game ahead here – Stirling could really give Southern Brave the boost they needed to find form again.

WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

This will be the fourth Hundred game here, and so far we have had a range of scores. The first inning scores in order of games played have been; 107/7 (chased), 147/6 (won) and 188/3 (won). That was a monster score by Manchester Originals in the last game here, but we have to allow for the fact Jos Buttler and Andre Russell really came off with the bat. There’s not much you can do when two superstars of world cricket play like that together. In general, the Rose Bowl isn’t a very high scoring venue, but it’s worth considering that India and South Africa went big in T20 International’s here this season and won by big margins. I’d opt to bat first if I won the toss.

RECOMMENDED BET:

It’s no surprise to see Trent Rockets as favourites here given they sit top of the table and that Southern Brave haven’t exactly fired. Southern Brave have had issues at the top of the order though, and I do feel that Paul Stirling does solve those issues. I know their bowling looks a little weak, and at times they have gone around the park too. For that reason I’m going to keep stakes small here, but I do feel Southern Brave look the value call here at 2.24. I just don’t see there being such a big gap between the sides – if Southern Brave sort out the opening issue and now Vince is in the middle order, they look a lot stronger. Obviously the jury is out because they have only played Welsh Fire since changing, but they can go well here again.

The Edge Says:
One point win Southern Brave to beat Trent Rockets at 2.24 with Betdaq Exchange.

View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/SouTre

IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

Although it’s difficult to fully get a feel on conditions here given the rage of scores we’d had, I think based off everything we’ve seen at this ground this summer you want to bat first. It has worked for a big score in The Hundred, and it has worked for India and South Africa in T20 Internationals. I would definitely look to get on the team batting first – both sides have strong batting line-ups, and you could get some extra value on Southern Brave now they have a better opening combo with Stirling and then Vince coming in at three or four. The only time I wouldn’t want to be on Southern Brave is when Rashid Khan is bowling as he looks in great form – but then again he rarely isn’t taking wickets!