County Cricket is a hugely popular summer sport in the UK and it has a rich history. In 2019, it will enter it’s 120th season, and it will once again be split into two divisions. The season typically begins at the start of April, to coincide with improved weather conditions, and matches are staged throughout the week.

It is organised by the English and Welsh Cricket Board and there are 18 clubs involved in total. The relegation/promotion format has been tweaked ahead of the 2019 season with three sides being relegated, with just one county being promoted to the top flight.

Matches are staged over four days, which was increased from three days in 1993. The final day of play is typically significantly shorter than the previous three, although this may be dependent on the weather and other unforseen circumstances.

The counties represented in the championship are (in no particular order): Durham, Surrey, Middlesex, Kent, Glamorgan, Leicestershire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Somerset, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Sussex, Nottinghamshire, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Essex and Derbyshire. Historically, Yorkshire are the most successful side in the competition with 32 titles, Surrey have 19 to their name with Middlesex being successful on 11 occasions. Sometimes, the title has been shared between two counties. As of 2019, there are just three counties who are yet to secure a title.

It works on a points based system, which has been tweaked over the year. Winning teams will be currently be awarded 16 points for a victory and five points for a tie. Bonus points are awarded for batting and bowling and these will be awarded to a team’s total regardless of the eventual outcome. A team, who nets 400+ in defeat will still be awarded five bonus points. This is a rare, but it helps rewards teams for their valiant effort, and for playing their part in an entertaining spectacle.

Teams have scored over 800 runs on seven different occasions with the latest being in 2007 with Derbyshire looking unstoppable against Somerset. In 2013, Essex famously scored just 20 runs against Lancashire, adding their name to the hall of fame for lowest batting total.

A wooden spoon will be awarded to the side who finish bottom of the championship. There are three teams who have so far avoided this dubious honour.

Where and When?

The game are played throughout the summer months in the UK. Each team will take it in turns to host the County Championship matches at their own ground. The season typically begins in April and ends in mid-late September.

Why is the County Championship so Popular?

The County Championship is hugely popular with cricket fans and part of its appeal is that spectators relish the opportunity to soak up the sunshine and spend all day taking in the action. It is available on TV in the UK, and many fans will sit down and follow the progress of their county, but it is the attendees who truly benefit from this summer spectacle.

The County Championship is always very competitive, and it also gives supporters the opportunity to spot future England Internationals.

What Betting Opportunities are Available?

County Championship Winner – This is the simplest of all the markets. It is a case of predicting which of the counties will be victorious this season. It is a season-long bet which requires your chosen side to finish top of Division 1/Division 2 (depending on your preference). The holders usually begin the following season as the favourites.

Top Batsman – This is both a season-long bet and a market which applies to individual matches. Punters must specify which batsman will score the highest number of runs throughout the entire campaign. Consistency is the key, and those batsman who play for the top sides are usually favoured in this market. On the match-by-match basis, bettors must select which player will score the highest number of runs across the four days.

Top Bowler – As above. Bettors will have the opportunity to pick the bowler who will take the highest number of wickets throughout the entire season. This also applies on a match-by-match basis.

Highest Opening Partnership – This tends to just apply to the first innings only, so it’s always best to read the small print. Punters must predict which pair of batsmen will score the highest total before the first wicket is taken. If the result is tied, the bet will be void.

Over/Under Runs – This is one of the more popular markets as it doesn’t require punters to select a winner of the match. Once again, it’s always best to read the small print before proceeding as this can sometimes apply to the first innings only, although more commonly, it will be attibuted to the entire match.

Next Dismissal Method – A market which can be relatively quick-fire and as a result, it has become increasingly popular with punters looking for a swift return on their wager. It simply requires bettors to predict whether the next dismissal will be LBW, Caught or ‘Other’.

Century in the Match – A 50/50 market which will ask punters to predict whether any batsman will reach 100 runs throughout the game. This is ideal when a prolific batsman is coming up against a struggling side, who have been struggling to claim wickets in recent weeks.

Man of the Match – Another market which is fairly simple, although it won’t be settled until the game has concluded. Punters will be asked to predict which player will be voted Man of the Match. This will usually be awarded for all-round performance, although it is more likely to go to the batsman in a high-scoring contest.

Individual Player Markets – On the week of a County Championship match, many individual player markets will be priced up by the bookmakers. These may include – ‘Player A to Score Over 50 Runs’ or ‘Player B to Take 3+ Wickets’. These can be very profitable if you can identify confident players.

Most Sixes – This market has been available for International cricket, and last season, many bookmakers also introduced it for the County Championship. It is simply a case of predicting which side will hit the highest number of sixes. There is also the option of a ‘tie’.

Bobby’s Big Betting Tips for the County Championship

Squad is Key – This is vital for a number of reasons. First of all, teams have the potential to completely revamp their squad during the winter months, so ensuring your up-to-date with the latest ins and outs is absolutely imperative. I always have a detailed look at the latest recruits in March to make sure I haven’t missed anything. Also, many players are also called up the England squad and although they represent their county, they are rarely available during busy summers of International Cricket. For example, James Anderson can make all the difference for Lancashire, but he is often called away. Always check the matchday squads ahead of placing any bets, as this can potentially change the outcome significantly.

The Unpredictable British Summer – The weather is not something which can be relied upon in the UK. Anyone who has spent their afternoon ducking under an unbrella at Old Trafford will know that the County Championship does not benefit from constant delays and interruptions. Play is likely to be more fragmented if the players continually leave the pitch throughout the four days. Always check the forecast before placing a wager. Games are unlikely to be free-flowing and high scoring if there are regular rain delays. Mistakes will also be commonplace on a sodden pitch or in blustery conditions.

Opening Partnerships Can Flourish in the County Championship – Like all cricket events and competitions, opening partnerships can set the tone for the remainder of the match. Always study the record of the opening partnerships before having a wager. The highest scoring opening partnership market is a great way of having a bet without being forced to wait a number of days for your money. With games coming thick and fast, an understanding can easily be struck up between batsman, and this can be take advantage of by punters who have spotted this connection.

Where Can I Watch the County Championship in the UK?

Sky Sports currently have the broadcasting rights for the County Championship until 2024. They will regularly broadcast live matches throughout the season, and Sky Sports News will have updates from around the grounds.