In what is surely one of the most unglamorous competitions in the world, the latest round of Twenty20 quarter-finals doesn't exactly wet our appetite for the CC in viewing terms, but there is some cracking value around. With inclement weather and the prevalence of draws in this competition, most bookies offer a 'draw no bet' market, so your stake is refunded in full if the match ends a draw. This provides us will valuable insurance and we are keen to take advantage of this for the rest of the summer.

To the weekend, and we are interested in some late value in four matches in the latest round of the County Championship.

LV County Championship Division One

Nottinghamshire vs Surrey @ Trent Bridge

Notts have snuck under the radar this season to reach the top spot with a 3-2-2 record, and they should look to maintain their position against perennial under-achievers in the recent past, Surrey. The Brown Caps are yet to open their account and are slumped at the bottom of the table, winless with a 0-5-2 record. Having also been dumped out of the Twenty20 Cup which should have been their forte this season, Surrey clearly have the talent, but seem to be rudderless at the moment.

Durham vs Somerset @ Chester-le-Street

Somerset travel up north for a clash between two teams whose current positions do not reflect how close together they are in reality. Four places separate the teams, but they are only five points apart. Nevertheless, on paper, Durham are comfortably the better side. After the farce of their non-starter Twenty20 quarter-final, the likes of Steve Harmison will be itching for an England recall during the current test series, and their batting is led by their ever-consistent captain  Dale Benkenstein. The loss of Shaun Pollock will no doubt be a blow but they surely have enough in reserve. South African wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter is a Kolpak player for Somerset and is intent on qualifying for England - if he fulfils his big-hitting potential, he will be a great asset for England, but we fancy Somerset to draw another blank on the road.

LV County Championship Division Two

Glamorgan vs Essex @ Cardiff

Perennial whipping-boys Glamorgan take on Essex at Sophia Gardens, and we fancy Essex to come away with the points. Glamorgan have just the solitary win this season at home to Gloucestershire, and Essex have the form and confidence to see them come through this encounter unscathed. Graham Napier is likely to come into the side after some remarkable performances in the shorter versions of the game, and with Ravi Bopara scoring big runs in domestic cricket this season, he'll be looking to continue his good form. With just two hundreds in six matches so far this season, Glamorgan are continuing to perform poorly and Essex can push on here.

Gloucestershire vs Middlesex @ Bristol

Middlesex face Gloucestershire after an impressive Twenty20 campaign which has seen them emerge as dark horses for finals day. Dawid Malan had us gushing with his match-winning innings of 103 earlier this week against Lancashire, and the classy left-hander looks set for big things if he can produce such form on a consistent basis. In stark contrast, Gloucestershire are the only team in the division without a win and should draw another blank against the in-form Londoners.

NJ's bets:

Nottinghamshire to beat Surrey - 2.5pts @ 1.62 (Ladbrokes)

Durham to beat Somerset - 2pts @ 1.67 (VC Bet, Ladbrokes)

Essex to beat Glamorgan - 3pts @ 1.53 (Ladbrokes)

Middlesex to beat Gloucestershire - 4pts @ 1.67 (Totesport, Ladbrokes)

Middlesex/Essex double - 2.5pts @ 2.56 (Ladbrokes)