COUNTY BY COUNTY GUIDE TO THE 2010 SEASON by
Marcus Hook
DERBYSHIRE
The ECB recently granted Derbyshire permission to rotate the square
at Derby, but is their long wait for silverware - currently the
longest of any county - about to turn around? Not if the
odds-setters are to be believed. However, the batting looks strong.
It will be led once again by the prolific Chris Rogers. Last summer
saw Wayne Madsen burst on to the cricket scene in England. It will
be a major surprise if the South African fails to rack up one
thousand first-class runs this term. Garry Park's move away from
Durham bore fruit. Greg Smith caught the eye without really cashing
in and Dan Redfern gave us a glimpse of what the future may hold for
the 19-year-old southpaw. Jamie Pipe's retirement sees the
wicketkeeping gloves pass to Lee Goddard, who returns to Nottingham
Road following a stint at Durham. Goddard will be keeping to one of
the better seam attacks in Division Two, which now has a viable spin
threat following the arrival of Robin Peterson. But don't expect
much from the Falcons in one-day cricket - they have won just five
40-over matches in the last four years and only once have they
reached the last eight of the Twenty20 Cup.
Ins: Mark Footitt (Not), Lee Goddard (Dur), Steffan Jones (Som) and
Robin Peterson (as a Kolpak)
Outs: Dan Birch, Nantie Hayward, Wavell Hinds, Frederick Klokker,
Charl Langeveldt (gave up Kolpak status to play international
cricket), Stuart Law, Mark Lawson, James Pipe (Ret), Stephen
Stubbings and Dom Telo
Overseas 2010: Loots Bosman (RSA, Twenty20 only) and Chris Rogers
(Aus)
New captain/coach: no change
Could miss the start of the season: Jon Clare (shoulder) and Ian
Hunter (knee)
Other news: Changed one-day nickname to the Falcons
LV County Championship Div Two: 16-1 joint outsiders
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 25-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 28-1 joint outsiders
DURHAM
Not since 1968 has a county carried off the championship title three
years running, but due to Durham's strength in depth only a brave
man would cast doubt on their chances of achieving a
"three-peat". Whenever a Durham seamer is carrying a
niggle, there always seems to be a top quality replacement waiting
in the wings. It obviously helps that Stephen Harmison and Liam
Plunkett are no longer shoe-ins for England, but in 2009 the
competition for places was such that up-and-coming all-rounder Ben
Harmison didn't get a look-in in the championship. Ian Blackwell
slotted straight into the role of front-line spinner, but that did
not stop Scott Borthwick, 19, catching the eye. With the bat,
Michael Di Venuto and Dale Benkenstein were in outstanding form,
which, perhaps, was just as well with Kyle Coetzer, Gordon Muchall,
Mark Stoneman and skipper Will Smith failing to live up to
expectations. But, with such a strong attack, runs were not as
essential as they might otherwise have been. South Africa's Albie
Morkel and New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor have been signed up for
this summer's Twenty20 Cup, but, with the introduction of the salary
cap, the size of Durham's wage bill means that any more overseas
signings this year are unlikely.
Ins: Michael Richardson and Ben Stokes
Outs: Lee Goddard (Der) and Paul Wiseman (Ret)
Overseas 2010: Albie Morkel (RSA, Twenty20 only) and Ross Taylor
(NZ, Twenty20 only)
New captain/coach: no change
Could miss the start of the season: Paul Collingwood (IPL), Mark
Davies (ankle) and Graham Onions (back)
LV County Championship Div One: 6-4 favourites
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 9-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 12-1
ESSEX
Back in Division One of the County Championship for the first time
since 2003, the worry for Essex is whether they will be capable of
batting their way out of trouble this summer, having not had a
batsman record a 1,000-run season in the championship in 2010.
Danish Kaneria, the leading wicket-taker in last summer's
competition, is pencilled in for a sixth stint at Chelmsford, though
only for the first half of the 2010 campaign; which means that Essex
will need to make the most of Kaneria when he is around. David
Masters is a big-hearted and dependable seamer. All-rounders ten
Doeschate and Napier are assets. So, if Chris Wright can just hit a
more consistent line and length, Mark Pettini's men should be
capable of holding their own in the top flight on top of challenging
for silverware in the two limited-overs competitions. The batting
will be stronger if, when he returns from the Indian Premier League,
Ravi Bopara is overlooked by England. But rather than continue
relying on the lower middle-order duo of Ryan ten Doeschate and
James Foster for runs, it would be timely if two 21-year-olds, Billy
Godleman and Tom Westley, could find their feet at first team level
this year.
Ins: Michael Comber, Billy Godleman (Mid) and Max Osborne
Outs: Jahid Ahmed, Varun Chopra (War), Jason Gallian (Ret) and James
Middlebrook (Nor)
Overseas 2010: Danish Kaneria (Pak)
New captain/coach: no change
Could miss the start of the season: Ravi Bopara (IPL) and Graham
Napier (IPL)
LV County Championship Div One: 16-1
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 8-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 12-1
GLAMORGAN
Having not managed higher than eighth in Division Two of the County
Championship since being relegated in 2005, Glamorgan, led for the
first time by Jamie Dalrymple, hoisted themselves up to fifth place
last summer on the back of only two victories in four-day cricket.
But, as just eight wins in all competitions last season would
suggest, it would be wise not to get too carried away. The batting
continues to look in need of shoring up, so Mark Cosgrove has been
retained as Glamorgan's primary overseas player. The performances of
Dalrymple and Gareth Rees were more consistent in 2009, but Michael
Powell showed worrying signs of going backwards. With the ball,
Robert Croft is not getting any younger, but nobody bowled more
overs in last year's championship than the 39-year-old, who took 56
wickets at precisely thirty. On pitches conducive to spin, such as
those at Cardiff, the Welshmen have Dean Cosker up their sleeve. The
seam attack is still a work in progress, but Adam Shantry and James
Harris are starting to look like an effective new-ball pairing. The
joker in the pack come Twenty20 time will be Australian speedster
Shaun Tait, who either gives the appearance of being a world beater
or an expensive luxury.
Ins: James Allenby (Lei), David Brown (Glo) and Nick James
(War)
Outs: Garnett Kruger, Mike O'Shea, Ryan Watkins and Alex Wharf
(Ret)
Overseas 2010: Mark Cosgrove (Aus) and Shaun Tait (Aus, Twenty20
only)
New captain/coach: no change Could miss the start of the season:
Robert Croft (back)
LV County Championship Div Two: 12-1
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 29-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 25-1
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Having failed to win a championship match in 2008, Gloucestershire
recorded six victories last summer and, for a time, flirted with the
prospect of promotion to Division One. But, once again, a lack of
runs proved their undoing. Skipper, Alex Gidman appears to have
rediscovered his form with the willow and the arrival of
keeper-batsman Jonathan Batty, from Surrey, should bolster the top
order, but last year's ever present trio of Kadeer Ali, Hamish
Marshall and Chris Taylor only produced two hundreds between them.
The new-ball pair of Jon Lewis and Steve Kirby combined for 121
championship wickets in 2009, helped by the groundsman at Bristol
preparing a few juicy green tops, but Lewis is showing signs that
years of racing in from the Ashley Down Road End are beginning to
take their toll. James Franklin's all-round contribution will,
therefore, be crucial. While there would appear to be bowling
reserves in the shape of Anthony Ireland, Ian Saxleby and slow left-armer
Vikram Banerjee, the lack of further ready-made options in the
batting department does not augur well for another promotion push in
2010. Gloucestershire's recent sporadic record in limited-overs
cricket - the highlight of which was reaching the final of the
Twenty20 Cup in 2007 - suggests it will be a lean year all-round for
the Gladiators.
Ins: Jonathan Batty (Sur), Chris Dent and David Payne
Outs: Steve Adshead, David Brown (Gla), Matthew Gitsham, Grant
Hodnett, Craig Spearman and Tom Stayt
Overseas 2010: James Franklin (NZ)
New captain/coach: no change
Could miss the start of the season: Jonathan Batty (knee) and Ian
Saxelby (shoulder)
LV County Championship Div Two: 12-1
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 28-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 25-1
HAMPSHIRE
Having been the leading wicket-taker in the County Championship in
2008, left-arm seamer James Tomlinson came back down to earth with a
bump. But then, Hampshire often seemed to be lacking a cutting edge
last term. It therefore came as no surprise to see overseas spinner
Imran Tahir jettisoned in favour of Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis and
the arrival of a proven seamer in Kabir Ali, who joined the exodus
from New Road, Worcester. If the likes of Danny Briggs and David
Griffiths, 18 and 24 respectively, can continue making an impression
with the ball, 2010 could be a big year for the Rose Bowl outfit,
who are unlikely to be short of runs. In 2009, Nic Pothas confirmed
he is the most complete keeper-batsman in county cricket, Michael
Carberry added a touch of panache to his capacity to play long
innings and Jimmy Adams is now a batsman whom one expects to put a
decent score on the board. With Liam Dawson being talked about as a
future England player and Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi lined-up to
boost Hampshire's assault on the Twenty20 Cup, there really is no
shortage of strength in depth where last season's Friends Provident
Trophy winners are concerned.
Ins: Kabir Ali (Wor), Simon Jones (Wor) and Neil McKenzie (as a
Kolpak)
Outs: Tom Burrows, John Crawley (Ret), Chris Morgan, Tom Parsons,
Billy Taylor and Chris Tremlett (Sur)
Overseas 2010: Abdul Razzaq (Pak, Twenty20 Cup only), Rangana Herath
(SL, for the first two months of the season), Ajantha Mendis (SL,
for the second half of the campaign) and Shahid Afridi (Pak,
Twenty20 Cup only)
New captain/coach: no change Could miss the start of the season:
Michael Lumb (IPL), Dimitri Mascarenhas (Achilles) and Kevin
Pietersen (IPL)
Other news: Changed one-day nickname to the Royals, after joining
the Royals2020 "brand"
LV County Championship Div One: 9-2
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 17-2
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 13-2 favourites
KENT
After returning to Division One of the County Championship at the
first attempt and having persuaded skipper Rob Key to stay, the hop
county should be on the up and up. But due to financial losses
totalling £1.5m in the last two years, Kent's professional squad
remains the smallest in the country. With their batsmen hitting
twenty-five centuries in last season's championship, one should be
wary of writing off the Spitfires' chances of remaining in the top
flight, but their bowling resources look worryingly thin following
the departures of Ryan MacLaren and all-rounder Justin Kemp. Other
than James Tredwell, who took 69 wickets at an average of 26.63,
only Simon Cook and Amjad Khan showed any real consistency last
term. Kent will be keen, therefore, to have Robbie Joseph returned
to full fitness following a shoulder injury, Azhar Mahmood similarly
firing on all cylinders again and for Phil Edwards, who has promised
so much for so long, to finally come of age. If Joe Denly and Sam
Northeast can continue their development as high-class batters, it
may not be as sorry a year as some are predicting. Indeed, having
made the last four in the Twenty20 Cup in each of the last three
seasons, expect the Spitfires to be there or thereabouts again.
Ins: Adam Ball and Dewald Nel
Outs: Justin Kemp (no longer qualifies as a Kolpak), Ryan McLaren
(gave up Kolpak status to play international cricket) and Martin
Saggers (Ret)
Overseas 2010: Malinga Bandara (SL, but only for the second half of
the season)
New captain/coach: Paul Farbrace succeeds Graham Ford as coach
Could miss the start of the season: Robbie Joseph (shoulder)
LV County Championship Div One: 9-1
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 17-2
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 10-1
LANCASHIRE
After rounding off the Nineties with six one-day trophies,
Lancashire have not captured any silverware since the turn of the
Millennium. One senses the Red Rose faithful will have to wait a
while longer to see their team carry off the championship title.
But, as only seven four-day losses in the last four years suggests,
Lancashire are a resilient side, despite question marks against
their batting. In both 2008 and 2009, no Lancashire batsman managed
one thousand championship runs in a season. Mal Loye came close last
term. Loye is now back at Northants, but in comes Stephen Moore, who
is still talked about as having international potential even though
his performances for Worcestershire last year suggested he had lost
all interest. Kumar Sangakarra has been drafted in as a specialist
batsman, but with a Test series between Sri Lanka and India in the
offing, Lancashire are currently sweating on the availability of the
Sri Lankan wicketkeeper. Luke Sutton will don the gloves again, but
don't be surprised to see his understudy Gareth Cross break into the
first team in 2010. The Lancashire attack, of which Glen Chapple is
pivotal component, has strength in depth, especially with the likes
of all-rounder Tom Smith and slow left-armer Simon Kerrigan pushing
for inclusion.
Ins: Gary Montgomery, Stephen Moore (Wor), Daren Powell (as a Kolpak)
and Luke Procter
Outs: Francois du Plessis (no longer qualifies as a Kolpak), Mal
Loye (Nor) and Steven Mullaney (Not)
Overseas 2010: Ashwell Prince (RSA, for the start of the season) and
Kumar Sangakkara (SL, for the remainder of the campaign)
New captain/coach: no change
Could miss the start of the season: James Anderson (knee), Andrew
Flintoff (IPL/knee) and Gary Keedy (shoulder)
LV County Championship Div One: 9-1
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 10-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 10-1
LEICESTERSHIRE
Leicestershire's biggest concern ahead of the new season is whether
they will be able to overcome the departure of two key batsmen - HD
Ackerman and Boeta Dippenaar. With Matthew Hoggard moving down from
Yorkshire to take on the captaincy, Nadeem Malik said to be winning
his fitness battle and the signing of Andrew McDonald as overseas
player the Foxes' seam bowling will have added bite. But, at just 20
years of age, it is a lot to expect the prodigious James Taylor to
carry the batting, although Tom New is developing into useful
keeper-batsman. Will Jefferson and James Benning have been recruited
to provide some competition for the likes of Matthew Boyce and Josh
Cobb, but their records do not suggest that imminent top order
changes are on the cards. As the season progresses, however, watch
out for Nathan Buck and Harry Gurney to advance their claims with
the ball. With Brad Hodge returning for the Twenty20 campaign to
fill the second overseas berth and a more than useful all-rounder in
Wayne White, perhaps the Grace Road outfit will cause a few upsets
in the shortest version of the game. But, in general, expect 2010 to
be yet another transitional year for Leicestershire.
Ins: James Benning (Sur), Will Jefferson (Not) and Matthew Hoggard (Yor)
Outs: HD Ackerman, James Allenby (Gla) and Boeta Dippenaar
Overseas 2010: Brad Hodge (Aus, Twenty20 only) and Andrew McDonald
(Aus)
New captain/coach: Matthew Hoggard takes over from Boeta Dippenaar
as captain
Could miss the start of the season: James Benning (back)
Other news: Paul Nixon will not feature in the Twenty20 Cup because
of his past involvement in the Indian Cricket League
LV County Championship Div Two: 10-1
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 28-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 25-1
MIDDLESEX
To Middlesex's closest rivals, Surrey, the arrival of Pedro Collins
at Lord's may well be viewed with indifference, but to many others
Collins gives the North Londoners more than enough depth in the seam
department to be challenging for promotion in the County
Championship again (having twice finished third in Division Two in
the last three years). Middlesex will be looking to Steven Finn, Tim
Murtagh and New Zealand's Iain O'Brien to make the early inroads
with the ball and for Shaun Udal and the under-rated Tom Smith (who
moves up from Sussex) to forge a useful spin combination. If the
bowling doesn't fire, Middlesex may well pay for letting batsmen
Nick Compton and Billy Godleman go, not to mention the early season
absence of both Eoin Morgan and Owais Shah, who will be appearing in
the IPL. Scott Newman, who has also been drafted in from Surrey,
will open the batting. But, with David Nash retiring, new coach
Richard Scott seems to be taking a huge risk by naming 21-year-old
John Simpson as his first choice wicketkeeper ahead of Ben Scott,
who, for many, is the tidiest stumper in the country. Scott has
therefore been granted permission to start the summer as a
Worcestershire player.
Ins: Pedro Collins (Sur), Josh Davey, Scott Newman (Sur), Toby
Roland-Jones, Tom Smith (Sus) and Paul Stirling
Outs: Nick Compton (Som), Billy Godleman (Ess), Tyron Henderson,
David Nash (Ret), Alan Richardson (Wor), Ben Scott (on loan to Wor)
and Chris Silverwood
Overseas 2010: Adam Gilchrist (Aus, Twenty20 only), Iain O’Brien
(NZ) and David Warner (Aus, Twenty20 only)
New captain/coach: Richard Scott succeeds Toby Radford as
coach
Could miss the start of the season: Eoin Morgan (IPL) and Owais Shah
(IPL)
LV County Championship Div Two: 13-2
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 20-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 10-1
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
One can only assume that Nicky Boje's tongue was firmly in cheek
when he said that his Northants side were eyeing up silverware this
season. Other than the return of Mal Loye from Lancashire and David
Sales's new found fitness, following a serious knee injury, things
have not been going Northamptonshire's way of late. In February the
club lost its appeal against the Home Office's immigration rules,
which meant that Riki Wessels and Johannes Van der Wath no longer
qualified for working visas. Not long after signing up India's
Virender Sehwag for the Twenty20 campaign, the BCCI vetoed the move.
Still, there shouldn't be any such problems with Zimbabwe
all-rounder Elton Chigumbura, who must rate as one of this summer's
more obscure overseas signings. In 2009, van der Wath formed a
productive new ball partnership with left-armer David Lucas, who
enjoyed his best season to date. Andrew Hall also proved highly
effective as first change. David Wigley, who had another indifferent
year, seems the obvious replacement for van der Wath, but the hope
must be that 25-year-old seamer Jack Brooks builds on his
performances at the back end of last summer. In the spin department
Boje is joined by James Middlebrook, who moves up from Essex to
replace Monty Panesar.
Ins: Paul Harrison, Mal Loye (Lan), James Middlebrook (Ess) and
Vishal Tripathi
Outs: Shaun Bailey, Steven Crook, Ryan Cummins, Mark Nelson, Monty
Panesar (Sus), Johan van der Wath (no longer qualifies as a Kolpak),
Riki Wessels (no longer qualifies as a Kolpak) and Graeme White
(Not)
Overseas 2010: Elton Chigumbura (Zim)
New captain/coach: no change
LV County Championship Div Two: 16-1 joint outsiders
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 33-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 20-1
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Runners-up in the County Championship in each of the last two
seasons, many expect Nottinghamshire to be in the title mix again.
Not only is Chris Read captain and wicketkeeper, he was also the
Outlaws' leading run-maker in the championship last season, which
underlines the degree to which he had to bail his side out at times.
Australia's David Hussey has therefore been signed up for a sixth
stint as overseas player, though initially his berth will be filled
by South Africa's Hashim Amla, who averaged over one hundred in
three outings for Essex last term. Neil Edwards has also been
drafted in from Somerset to provide competition for places at the
top of the order. When Graeme Swann is only England duty, which,
these days, is pretty much all of the time, Samit Patel is Notts'
sole spin threat - although, with a bowling average of 47.84 in last
year's championship, perhaps "threat" is flattering him.
There is no shortage of firepower in the seam department, though,
which is as it should be given that Trent Bridge is a popular ground
amongst the fast bowling fraternity. Amazingly, apart from reaching
the final in 2006, Nottinghamshire have only made the last eight in
the Twenty20 Cup on one other occasion.
Ins: Neil Edwards (Som), Scott Elstone, Steven Mullaney (Lan) and
Graeme White (Nor)
Outs: Jason Brown, Mark Ealham (Ret), Mark Footitt (Der) and Will
Jefferson (Lei)
Overseas 2010: Hashim Amla (RSA, for the first seven weeks of the
season), David Hussey (Aus, for the remainder of the campaign) and
Dirk Nannes (Aus, Twenty20 only)
New captain/coach: no change
Could miss the start of the season: Ryan Sidebottom (thigh) and Mark
Wagh (shoulder)
LV County Championship Div One: 6-1
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 14-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 12-1
SOMERSET
Somerset were one of only two sides able to boast three 1,000-run
makers in 2009. Marcus Trescothick, who takes over the captaincy
from Justin Langer, was in the form of his life, hitting eight
hundreds on his way 1,817 championship runs at an average of 75.70.
But, more pleasing, perhaps, were the strides taken by Craig
Kieswetter and Arul Suppiah, who made the number two spot his own.
The arrival of Nick Compton from Middlesex may see that change,
although it seems more likely that Trescothick will fill the Langer
role in more ways than one by going in first down. The Somerset
manager and former captain, Brian Rose has said he would love to see
the Cidermen claim the championship title for the first time in
their history this year, but that might be asking a lot with Durham,
Hampshire and Notts looking a good deal more superior. But one can
see why Rose is optimistic. There are few seamers more consistent
than Charl Willoughby and if Murali Kartik, Somerset's new overseas
player, can forge a spin alliance with Munday or Suppiah the bowling
will tax most sides. But one feels that Zander de Bruyn and James
Hildreth would also need to excel with the bat.
Ins: Nick Compton (Mid) and James Hayman
Outs: Omari Banks, Andy Caddick (Ret), Wes Durston, Neil Edwards
(Not), Carl Gazzard (Ret) and Steffan Jones (Der)
Overseas 2010: Murali Kartik (Ind), Kieron Pollard (WI, Twenty20
only), Cameron White (Aus, Twenty20 only) and Damien Wright (Aus,
for the first month of the season)
New captain/coach: Marcus Trescothick takes over from Justin Langer
as captain
LV County Championship Div One: 9-1
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 15-2 favourites
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 8-1
SURREY
Surrey's manager, Chris Adams has imparted his vision, but do the
Lions have the ammunition to challenge for silverware this summer?
Probably not, but expect a marked improvement on their dismal
showings in 2008 and 2009. An almost unprecedented clearout of
players has been followed by some quality signings plus, it's also
fair to say, one or two eyebrow-raising acquisitions. Rory
Hamilton-Brown returns to the Brit Oval as captain after two seasons
with Sussex in which the 22-year-old was handed just six
championship starts. Chris Tremlett, signed on a three-year contract
from Hampshire, represents another gamble. Still seen as one of the
best fast bowlers in the country, the 29-year-old has a reputation
for being injury prone. Indeed he misses the start the new campaign
due to a groin problem. Another name on the injury list is seamer
Chris Jordan, who is sidelined for at least six weeks with a
recurrence of a back complaint, however the fiery Andre Nel is fit
again after pulling a hamstring. Jade Dernbach, a genuine rising
star, and overseas signing Rao Iftikhar Anjum may well share the new
ball. As the season progresses, expect up-and-coming seamers Stuart
Meaker, Tom Jewell and Matthew Dunn to feature on occasions. With
Gareth Batty returning from Worcestershire, Surrey will have no
shortage of spin options, but if the Board of Control for Cricket in
India refuses to ratify Piyush Chawla's signing, the Lions' spin
department may well be unimposing once again. That said,
Hamilton-Brown and Matthew Spriegel's occasional spin will make
Surrey an interesting proposition in the Twenty20 Cup and the
40-over League, and it would be no real surprise to see off-twirler
Simon King advance his claims to a regular first team place this
summer. The Lions' batting is built around Mark Ramprakash, who
could conceivably end the season with more first-class runs for
Surrey than he racked up in 14 years for Middlesex. Usman Afzaal and
wicketkeeper-batsman Steven Davies should give the middle-order more
solidity, but the top of the order remains a potential Achilles
heel. Michael Brown, who joined the Lions from Hampshire a year ago,
has not always cashed in on the batsmen-friendly pitches at the Brit
Oval, while the departures of Jonathan Batty (to Gloucestershire)
and Scott Newman (Middlesex), on top of Mark Butcher's retirement,
leaves a gap at number two. Following a productive pre-season,
23-year-old left-hander Arun Harinath will be given first refusal,
but Laurie Evans and Stewart Walters will no doubt be knocking on
the door by dint of some big scores for the second eleven. In the
two limited-overs competitions expect to see Spriegel to come in for
Harinath and one of Hamilton-Brown and Davies, or even both, being
deployed as pinch-hitting openers. Predictions for Surrey's 2010
season: Pushing for promotion in the County Championship, especially
if Chawla and Tremlett are prominent, and not to be under-estimated
in the Twenty20 Cup and the 40-over League.
Ins: Gareth Batty (Wor), Steven Davies (Wor), Rory Hamilton-Brown (Sus)
and Chris Tremlett (Ham)
Outs: Jonathan Batty (Glo), James Benning (Lei), Mark Butcher (Ret),
Pedro Collins (Mid), Murtaza Hussain, Chris Murtagh, Scott Newman
(Mid), James Ormond and Alex Tudor
Overseas 2010: Rao Iftikhar Anjum (Pak, for the opening weeks of the
season) and Piyush Chawla (Ind, for the remainder of the
campaign)
New captain/coach: Rory Hamilton-Brown takes over from Mark Butcher
as captain
Could miss the start of the season: Chris Jordan (back) and Andre
Nel (hamstring)
Other news: Changed one-day nickname back to the Lions
LV County Championship Div Two: 9-4 joint favourites
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 10-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 16-1
SUSSEX
With Sussex adding the Pro40 League Division One and Twenty20 Cup
titles to their tally in 2009, the most successful side of the
so-called Noughties (in terms of major trophies won) find themselves
in Division Two of the County Championship for the first time since
2001. The Martlets share joint favouritism with Surrey for the
second division title, but other than the arrival of Monty Panesar
from Northants, there is little to suggest their attack is as well
equipped for four-day cricket as it is in the shorter versions of
the game. With the bat, Chris Nash played with much greater
confidence last summer, but the loss of Matt Prior and Luke Wright
to England put the onus on skipper Michael Yardy and Murray Goodwin.
Yardy rose to the challenge of opening the batting, but Murray
Goodwin appeared to be a spent force for the first time in his
career. Making runs against the less demanding attacks in Division
Two will help the Zimbabwean rediscover his form. Over the winter,
Sussex were frustrated in their efforts to secure overseas players,
but with Rana Naved-ul-Hasan deputising for Yasir Arafat and, in the
Twenty20, Brendon McCullum replacing Tillerkeratne Dilshan, the
Sharks have come out of their negotiations smelling of roses as
usual.
Ins: James Anyon (War), Matthew Machan, Monty Panesar (Nor), Luke
Wells and Craig Young
Outs: Rory Hamilton-Brown (Sur), Carl Hopkinson (Ret), Jason Lewry
(Ret), Pepler Sandri, Dwayne Smith (no longer qualifies as a Kolpak)
and Tom Smith (Mid)
Overseas 2010: Yasir Arafat (Pak, following the conclusion of the
World Twenty20), Brendon McCullum (NZ, Twenty20 only), Rana
Naved-ul-Hasan (Pak, for the opening weeks of the season) and Dwayne
Smith (WI, Twenty20 only)
New captain/coach: no change
Could miss the start of the season: Ed Joyce (right hip)
LV County Championship Div Two: 9-4 joint favourites
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 8-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 8-1
WARWICKSHIRE
Fifth place in their first summer back in Division One of the County
Championship was probably no more than Warwickshire could have hoped
for twelve months ago. If they repeat that in 2010, they will be
even more relieved given that Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott - the
Bears' leading run-makers in four-day cricket last term - are
unlikely to feature due to England calls. Whereas it was assumed
that Darren Maddy would be returning to the breach, the former
Leicestershire man suffered nine fractures around his eye socket and
cheekbone in pre-season nets, when a bouncer from team-mate Neil
Carter went through the grille of his helmet. It is vital,
therefore, that Tim Ambrose, Varun Chopra and Rikki Clarke push
their batting averages up above forty. With the ball, the hope is
that the Tahirs - seamer Naqaash and leg-spinner Imran - can carry
their good form in 2009 into this summer's campaign. The first
championship fixture of the season, against the equally unconvincing
Yorkshire could set the tone. Quarter-finalists in the Twenty20 Cup
in five out of the last six seasons, Warwickshire will be looking to
go one better this term by reaching Finals Day for the first time
since finishing runners-up in the inaugural year of the competition.
Ins: Varun Chopra (Ess)
Outs: James Anyon (Sus), Shaaiq Choudry, Tony Frost (Ret), Nick
James (Gla) and Navdeep Poonia
Overseas 2010: Imran Tahir (Pak)
New captain/coach: no change
Could miss the start of the season: Darren Maddy (facial injury) and
Naqaash Tahir (ankle)
LV County Championship Div One: 11-1
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 15-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 14-1
WORCESTERSHIRE
Apart from a decent crack at last summer's NatWest Pro40 League,
Worcestershire endured a torrid campaign in 2009, with various
departures being announced even before the season had run its
course. That was enough for Kabir Ali, the fulcrum of their attack,
to seek pastures new with a year left to run on his contract. In
common with a number of the sides in Division Two of the County
Championship, the objective for 2010 is, therefore, to rebuild.
Richard Jones, Jack Shantry and Chris Whelan have been lined-up to
fill Kabir Ali's boots. But it's not hard to identify the main
reason behind Worcestershire's abysmal showing in four-day cricket
last term - their batsmen struck just seven championship hundreds.
Steven Davies, now at Surrey, hit two, as did Moeen Ali, who did
little else, but in whom manager Steve Rhodes has high hopes. One
upgrade is that the overseas berth should be occupied throughout.
Opening batsman, Phil Jaques will return to New Road to undertake
the early season shift before handing the baton to Bangladesh
all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in July, while Australian leg-spinner
Steve Smith has been pencilled in for the Twenty20 Cup. Ill equipped
for all the three domestic competitions.
Ins: James Cameron, Ben Cox, Alan Richardson (Mid) and Ben Scott (on
loan from Mid)
Outs: Mehraj Ahmed, Kabir Ali (Ham), Gareth Batty (Sur), Steven
Davies (Sur), Ian Fisher, Simon Jones (Ham), Josh Knappett and
Stephen Moore (Lan)
Overseas 2010: Phil Jaques (Aus, for the first half of the season),
Shakib Al Hasan (Ban, from mid-July) and Steve Smith (Aus, Twenty20
only)
New captain/coach: no change
Could miss the start of the season: Matt Mason (rib)
LV County Championship Div Two: 12-1
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 33-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 28-1 joint outsiders
YORKSHIRE
With Deon Kruis retiring and following a winter that saw Matthew
Hoggard move on to pastures new and Tim Bresnan advance his claims
to a regular England place, Yorkshire's seam attack would appear to
be the flimsiest in Division One of the championship. The main
threat with the new ball will be Ajmal Shahzad, who was on a number
of other counties' wishlists at the end of last season. The Tykes
had hoped to see Ryan Harris running in at the other end from
Shahzad, but with Harris being advised by Cricket Australia to rest
that job will fall to West Indian all-rounder Tino Best. But it's
not all doom and gloom on the bowling front. Leg-spinner Adil
Rashid, left-arm spinner David Wainwright and off-spinner Azeem
Rafiq represent three of the finest up-and-coming slow men on the
county circuit. Jonathan Bairstow, seemingly set to follow in his
father's footsteps, will start the season as Yorkshire's first
choice stumper. His late order runs will come in handy if, as
expected, the batting proves to be a let down. Andrew Gale has been
handed the captaincy. Along with his predecessor, Anthony McGrath,
Gale would do well to step up with the bat and support the likes of
Rudolph and Sayers.
Ins: None
Outs: James Finch, Simon Guy, Matthew Hoggard (Lei), Deon Kruis
(Ret), Chris Taylor and Michael Vaughan (Ret)
Overseas 2010: Herschelle Gibbs (RSA, Twenty20 only), Tino Best (WI,
for the beginning of the season) and Ryan Harris (Aus, for the
remainder of the campaign)
New captain/coach: Andrew Gale takes over from Anthony McGrath as
captain
LV County Championship Div One: 20-1 rank outsiders
Clydesdale Bank 40 League: 15-1
Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup: 20-1
HOW ACCURATE WAS MARCUS IN 2009? CLICK
HERE
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