BEAT THE DUKE: WITH DARREN BICKNELL

After a quieter week in the LV= County Championship last week, Notts return to action in a week which also sees two other first division fixtures played. This means First Team Scorer Roger `The Duke’ Marshall will have to be on the ball to up his average over the coming weeks.

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 sees high-flying Yorkshire visit strugglers Somerset with the hosts looking to pick up a result to kick start their season. The bottom two sides, Surrey and Derbyshire, face off in a game which could already be crucial to the relegation battle this year. Finally, Notts travel to Sussex looking to pick up where they left off after their victory over Surrey last time out. 

Darren Bicknell

The Challenger- Darren Bicknell

Bicknell was a prolific opening-batsman and was a key part to Notts’ Championship success scoring 1131 runs at 49.17 in 2005. He started his career at Surrey and after 13 seasons and nearly 13,000 runs he moved on to Nottinghamshire. From there and through the Championship win, Bicknell was an integral part of Notts’ line-up scoring another 6,700 first-class runs, eventually retiring in 2006. This leaves him well placed to challenge 'The Duke’ this week. 

Darren is currently a member of the Notts CCC Committee, and director of the Belvoir Castle Cricket Trust, a charity who focus their attentions on getting young people active and involved in the outdoors.

The Challenger’s Predictions

Derbyshire v Surrey

I will go for a Surrey win for this game because on early season form Surrey look a little better.

Somerset v Yorkshire

Yorkshire should win this one as they are on a bit of a roll recently compared to Somerset’s poor form.

Sussex v Nottinghamshire

For this one my prediction is totally biased and I will go for a Nottinghamshire win. 

The Duke’s Predictions

Derbyshire v Surrey

I will go for a first Derbyshire win this game with them being at home on the county ground. Mark Footitt is coming into form and there is every chance of him getting some more this week. Surrey seem to be in disarray at the moment after the loss of Graeme Smith and that could lead to their downfall.

Somerset v Yorkshire

Somerset are on a very bad run at the moment and I don’t see them picking up in this game. Yorkshire on the other hand are flying high and that is why I will go for a Yorkshire win.

Sussex v Nottinghamshire

Both of these sides are doing well with Sussex having a resurgence in form and Notts winning in the YB40 and also last time out in the Championship. A lot could be down to the wicket that is prepared but with the strength of the Notts batting line-up matched by Sussex’s bowling I will go for a draw. 

Previous Round

Last week, `The Duke’ faced off against George Dobell, with both predicting one correct result each. 

League Table