BEAT THE DUKE: WITH BILAL SHAFAYAT

The one-day season is upon us but that doesn’t mean that the County Championship takes a backs seat. First Eleven Scorer Roger `The Duke’ Marshall is working double time to get correct predictions together. Hopefully he has sharpened his pencil, and his mind, to try and secure a full house in this week’s predictions. 

Ahead of each round of fixtures, he will be pitched against a Nottinghamshire illuminary in a prediction challenge. You can join in by tweeting your predictions with the hashtag #beattheduke with prizes on offer for competitors and champion tipsters. 

This week Durham, Nottinghamshire’s conquerors last time out, travel to Surrey. 2012 Champions Warwickshire look to kick start their season as they play host to one of the early front-runners, Middlesex. Finally, after two impressive wins, Yorkshire will try and make it three in three when they host Somerset, the travelling side narrowly missing out on victory last time around. 

The Challenger- Bilal Shafayat

The former England U19 captain was the first graduate of the Nottinghamshire Academy in 2001 and has gone on to score 7000 runs in first-class cricket. However, he is probably best known for being 12th man during the 2009 Cardiff Test against Australia. He was not the first (and won’t be the last) 12th man to feel the wrath of the Aussies as he was on the pitch twice during the closing overs as England tried to secure the draw.

Can he beat the Duke?

The Challenger's Predictions

Surrey v Durham

I will have to sit on the fence for this one as it will be a flat pitch and both teams have a balanced side. Draw.

Warwickshire v Middlesex

For this one my prediction is totally driven by the fact that I am good mates with Varun Chopra. Warwickshire win.

Yorkshire v Somerset

Again my prediction is going to be biased in favour of Yorkshire as I am good friends with Ryan Sidebottom. Yorkshire win.

The Duke's Predictions

Surrey v Durham

The pitch at the Oval should be a flat one and with Durham deciding to the opposite of everything I predict so far, I will go for a draw.

Warwickshire v Middlesex

This one is difficult to predict but on home turf Warwickshire should edge this. Although Middlesex have been playing well, Warwickshire should have the edge if everyone is fit.

Yorkshire v Somerset

With the test players having finished their county stints, Yorkshire are left without their star bat in Joe Root. For this reason, and the fact that Somerset should be the better all-round team, I am going for an away win. 

Previous Round

Last week The Duke predicted two and Colin Hazelden one correct score. Tweet us your predictions to @TrentBridge using the hashtag #BeatTheDuke 

League Table