Royal London One-Day Cup final: Surrey should slay Gloucestershire
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Surrey and Gloucestershire finished first and second respectively in Group A of the Royal London One-Day Cup, but as the former beat the latter earlier in the season they are the odds-on 4/7 favourites with Coral to triumph again in the final.
Graham Ford’s men have had a great season season to date, having secured promotion from the County Championship Division 2, and can take heart from their 12-run win against their upcoming opponents last month on away soil.
Rory Burns’ 95 from 96 balls helped Surrey on their way to an unbeatable 291 from 50 overs, and he is a tempting 5/1 shout to be best batsman for his team once more.
Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara wasn’t available for that match, but is set to feature at Lord’s and has two centuries to his name this tournament already so is a 5/2 chance. Steven Davies, who also has two hundreds, is 7/2 in the same market.
Sangakkara, 37, is also the subject of a Coral matchday special, with highly tempting odds available of 5/1 for him to be best Surrey batsman and his side win (max stake £20).
Tom Curran ran riot with the ball last time out against Gloucestershire, getting four wickets, so is 7/2 to be best bowler for the 2011 ECB 40 champions, while Jade Dernbach is just shorter at 3/1.
Gloucestershire’s (11/8 to win) hopes may lie on Michael Klinger, who has three hundreds and two 50s this One-Day Cup and is also the leading competition runscorer.
The Australian is 5/2 to be best batsman against for west country county, and is a super 7/1 shout to do so and help his team win in a Coral matchday special. Again, there is a max stake of £20 for that latter bet.
Former England and Papua New Guinea wicketkeeper/batsman Geraint Jones, meanwhile, will be playing in his final professional game. The 39-year-old has played his part this season, hitting three 50s, and is 11/2 to finish on a high and be best Gloucestershire batsman.
Coral’s betting tip: Sangakkara has predictably been highly impressive this season, and the veteran is 5/1 to be best Surrey batsman and his team win (max stake £20).
