The Hundred Tips Matches One and Two: Cox a firestarter for Wales at 11/2

MI London v Sunrisers Leeds The Hundred Tips

Click here for MI London v Sunrisers Leeds odds
Tuesday 21 July, 18:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

MI London and Sunrisers Leeds kick off the new era of English cricket. There is, of course, much to be said about the best players in the world bolstering an increasingly popular tournament. Likewise the ever-quickening pace of India's takeover of the world game due to franchise sales.

This could well be the last 100-ball tournament. It would be no surprise if pressure was exerted to formalise this as a 20-over competition. It looks increasingly like a needless gimmick. There is buy-in from the key stakeholders now and it is establsihed. More importantly, it's awash with cash.

With new team names after the original franchises were flogged there has been inevitable churn. It is right to reckon the formguide from previous editions is now irrelevant. MI London are the new name for Oval Invincibles. Yes, they retain some players but the coach and skip from last year's run to the title have gone. It's very much a clean slate.

MIL are without Sherfane Rutherford for the opener due to West Indies committments but stars like Rashid Khan and Nic Pooran should slot straight in. Do note, however, that neither are guaranteed to be around for the play-offs. It's another reason to swerve MIL on the outright as discussed in the team guide.

Sunrisres should be at full-strength. How they sort a batting order comprising Mitch Marsh, Ryan Rickleton, Zak Crawley and Harry Brook will be interesting. It is a less well-known player who we have a focus on for the opener, though. Benny Howell wins top bowler at a healthy 23% from a chunky study sample. Sportsbook rate him at 5/16.00 and that's too big.

If you do want big names for your bets, Rashid and Pooran fit the bill on their tops markets, winning at 45% and 38% respectively. Pooran's return is from a skinny study sample of just eight games, though.

Southern Brave v Welsh Fire The Hundred Tips

Click here for Southern Brave v Welsh Fire odds
Wednesday 22 July, 17:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Despite the brave new world, poor old Welsh Fire could find it another struggle. The Fire have been a damp squib since ball one and have never made into the play-offs. They have finished bottom twice. The squad building in the auction makes it hard to think they can reverse their fortunes.

The positive news is that in Phil Salt and Matt Short they have as very good opening partnership. But they have to be doing the bulk of the work because there's little else to worry bowling units. It is doubltful whether Rachin Ravindra, Joe Root and Asa Tribe to follow are going to be able to score quickly enough. With the ball there is no bowler in the squad who we can trust for the tops market. It's a red flag for bettors.

Brave are something of the reverse. Their opening pair of Michael Pepper and Jamie Smith does not impress. And they have placed much onus on middle- to lower-order hitters like Marcus Stoinis, Nikhil Chaudhary and David Miller. Expect strong finishes with the bat at the death.

The most reliable player on show is Fire's Jordan Cox. He comes with a 37% win rate with the Invincibles. If he is able to repeat that, and Fire's opening duo, well, fire, they could spring a surprise or two. A good start could well make all the difference. Cox is too big at 11/26.50 for top Fire bat.

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