Week 5. Lots of rest weeks. Some bad weather around (south on Friday, north on Saturday). Assume each game is 10 sessions, so yet more draws. Maybe Somerset and Middlesex have the best chance of seeing results.
Two big mismatches this week, with Yorkshire and Lancashire heavy favourites.

Five matches. Two mismatches. The roses will dominate.
Yorkshire against Glamorgan. I know Yorkshire failed to press home their advantage last week against Derbyshire, but they are quality and Glamorgan’s bowling is uninspired. Glamorgan’s best chance is to frustrate – Northeast, Cooke and Ingram to bat time. Equally expect Yorkshire to target Crane and Douthwaite for fast runs: Yorkshire need to start winning else a gap could open up in the table.


Middlesex vs Leicestershire
Does form exist? If it does, then Holden du Plooy and Higgins will continue to rampage. If not, I make Leicestershire favourites in this game. Wouldn’t have imagined myself saying that 10 years ago.


Derbyshire vs Sussex
Horrible bowling stats for Derbyshire this year. If Robinson and Pujara can join the party for Sussex, this should be Sussex’s game.


Lancashire vs Kent
Should be a win for Lancashire. Two things though – Bailey has just two wickets this year, and there’s rain around. Can Lancashire a) win the toss and field, and b) Get the game moving?
Leaning and Crawley could do with some runs.


Somerset vs Essex
I didn’t rate Essex’s batting at the start of the season, but it’s growing on me (plus early season runs have pushed their players’ ratings up). Not much from Somerset’s bowlers this year, yet. I’m probably over-rating Overton and Davey if they aren’t 100%.


PS. First time with this new format, will tidy up next week so pictures are clearer. Let me know what you think.

So ten teams with a single fast bowler ( foreign) and three SLAs? How would this compare to bowling lineups from history in the championship for early May?
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