The Hundred women's winner predictions, odds and cricket betting tips

Free cricket tips, best bets and analysis for The Hundred women's, which starts on Thursday.

Best bet

Birmingham Phoenix to win The Hundred women's
1pt 6-1 general

The Hundred women's preview

Beginning just over a week later than the men's tournament due to the Commonwealth Games, The Hundred women's competition is back with even more star quality on display than in 2021.

That is largely because the 2022 edition of the franchise competition will feature a host of top Australian players, which was not the case last year due to travel restrictions.

The first-ever tournament went the way of Oval Invincibles, who took down Southern Brave by 48 runs in the final at Lord's, and it is no surprise to see those sides heading the outright betting again.

The Invincibles still arguably possess the strongest squad in the competition, adding star New Zealander Suzie Bates to a batting line-up spearheaded by last season's MVP Dane van Niekerk.

Van Niekerk struck 259 runs in The Hundred last year but has been out of action since November after breaking her ankle and it remains to be seen if she can recapture last year's form.

Bowler Tash Farrant, who finished with more wickets (18) than any other player in either the men's or women's tournament last season will, however, be missing for the Invincibles, which puts immense pressure on pace bowler Shabnim Ismail to perform.

As a result, the Invincibles look worth swerving at 4-1.

Southern Brave are a seriously exciting side, having won seven of their eight group games before defeat in last year's final, but there are slight concerns over the form of Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt.

They are heavily reliant on their top five with their middle and lower order lacking quality, which makes them short enough at the odds.

Instead, Birmingham Phoenix look the best value at 6-1.

Phoenix reached the eliminator last year, losing out to the Invincibles by 20 runs in London, and their top order is strengthened by the arrival of New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, who will also take charge at Edgbaston.

Aussie all-rounder Ellyse Perry, fresh from winning Commonwealth gold, is also available after missing last summer and 20-year-old England bowler Issy Wong has gone from strength to strength in the last year.

Bowler Kirstie Gordon, meanwhile, was second only to Farrant in last year's wicket-taking charts with 15 scalps.

Their squad is even stronger than when they made the top three in 2021.

London Spirit missed out on a place in the eliminator due to inferior net run rate last term and are worth monitoring, while Northern Superchargers are another side to keep an eye on with star Australians Heather Graham and Alyssa Healy in their ranks.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets

Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories