Cricket: Preview & Predictions in 2022

Cricket fans will be in their element in 2022, with the schedule packed with a host of top-class events across all formats of the game.

The Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia takes centre stage during the early part of the year, serving as a tasty appetiser for what follows.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is the standout event for cricket fans. They will have the opportunity to bet on and predict results throughout 2022 on footballwhispers.com. Read on as we preview the upcoming year in cricket and offer our predictions for some of the biggest events in the sport.

Sixers aiming to make it three-in-a-row

The Sydney Sixers have made an excellent start to the new BBL season and they look a good bet to lift the trophy for the third successive time.

Having retained most of last year’s squad during the close season, the Sixers have secured five wins from their first six matches this term.

The Sixers highlighted their title credentials on Boxing Day as a brutal batting display from Daniel Hughes and Dan Christian secured a comfortable victory over Sydney Thunder.

Perth Scorchers are likely to be the main contenders after finishing as runners-up last year, but the Sixers have the know-how to get the job done once again.

Rahul fancied to regain IPL batting crown

KL Rahul has been a shining light in the Indian Premier League over the past few seasons and is strongly fancied to rack up the runs this time around.

He has been in the top three run scorers in each of the past four years, and finished top of the pile with 670 runs during the 2020 season.

He scored 626 runs for the Punjab Kings last season, just nine behind Ruturaj Gaikwad despite playing three games fewer.

If Rahul can make it to the play-offs, he looks an outstanding bet to claim the top batsman prize in the 2022 IPL.

Ashes criticism can fire up Buttler  

Jos Buttler was widely criticised for his dismissal in the third Ashes Test, with many pundits blasting the 31-year-old’s shot selection.

Buttler was out for three on the stroke of tea after charging down the wicket and attempting to smack Nathan Lyon for a big six.

While his aggressive nature is not ideally suited to Test cricket, Buttler is a completely different player when it comes to the T20 version of the game.

He has bagged more than 2,000 IPL runs during his career and looks worth an interest to be the top overseas batsman in the 2022 edition.

Lancashire eyeing redemption

Lancashire will head into the new County Championship season eager to put their final day disappointment in 2021 firmly behind them.

The competition will revert to two divisions again in 2022 and Lancashire will be amongst the favourites to win the Division One title.

They missed out on lifting the trophy last season as Warwickshire swept to victory in the deciding match by an innings and 199 runs.

Somerset and Warwickshire are both ahead of Lancashire in the outright betting, but the Red Rose county are the value wager to get the job done.

Nottinghamshire set for strong promotion bid

Nottinghamshire bounced back to form in four-day cricket last year after failing to win any games during the previous two seasons.

The revised structure means they will start the 2022 County Championship campaign in Division Two and will fancy their chances of climbing back into the top flight.

Their improvement last season was undoubtedly a step in the right direction and they should have the resources to mount a strong challenge.

Middlesex could emerge as serious challengers for promotion having added Mark Stoneman and Shaheen Shah Afridi to their talented young squad.

England can end the year on a high

Whether you enjoy watching cricket or prefer to live stream your cricket, the delayed T20 Cricket World Cup in Australia will be the highlight of the year in the sport.

Reigning champions Australia will be keen to retain the title on home soil, although no team has ever successfully defended the trophy.

India are favourites with several leading bookmakers, but their disappointing showing at the 2021 edition is still fresh in the memory.

England came up short against New Zealand in the semi-finals of that tournament, but should have enough about them to win the 2022 title.