County cricket finds itself in the midst of a wash-up of change. Gone are the days of the traditional 50 over one day competition as a new 21 side, three league format has been introduced this time around. And of course, Twenty20 is sure to dominate the headlines once again as many counties see it as a golden opportunity, not just for personal success but for the greater financial rewards it brings.
Tomorrow though sees 18 teams bowl off their seasons in Divisions one and two. Durham, the team to beat in the last two years go into this summer on the back of an unbeaten championship campaign last time out. Ever willing and reliable batting class in the shape of Michael Di Venuto at the top of the order give the north east side a firm footing to start, and let’s not forget an international class bowling unit with Liam Plunkett and Graham Onions, supplying pace, consistency and heart along with former England marksmen Steven Harmison and Ian Blackwell who appear to be enjoying their time in the sun with it looking unlikely neither of them will earn a England recall. Is a third consecutive title success in the offing? On the squad alone (which could be affected by players on England duty) you would say yes, but I’ve got the feeling they might have a difficult time in claiming three championship triumphs in a row as a squad with no fresh faces have to pick up some bad form at some point and I cannot foresee a as consistent Durham in 2010. Their challenge is to prove me wrong.
The ever-green Michael Di Venuto (above) adds a touch of class to a strong Durham batting line-up.
A whole host of contenders will be jostling refutably in an attempt to embed themselves amongst the title hopefuls. Somerset, now under the leadership of ex-England opener Marcus Trescothick will look to continue their enviable record at Taunton, a place blitzed in runs and batting opportunities. Batting should not prove a problem, even with the loss of former captain Justin Langer. The other string to their bow comes in the form of the south west outfits bowling make-up.
A steady winter recruitment of signings such as Australian Cameron White for the Twenty20’s gives Somerset some clout in the shorter form of the game, but they are missing a cutting edge in attack and they may well find themselves in treacherous waters trying to bowl sides out especially on a flat Taunton wicket. The addition of Indian spinner Murali Kartik is potentially a trump card for Trescothick to play to counter this though especially as the player has a point to prove after being dispelled from the Indian team of late. Last but not least, Craig Kieswetter. The explosive wicket-keeper batsman, of South African descent started his international career with aplomb this winter, sparking a claim for a regular one day and Twenty20 international spot and from the evidence witnessed against Bangladesh, Somerset may not be seeing as much as they like from the young prodigy this summer. Having never before won county cricket’s most traditional prize, I think Somerset if they hit the right straps can give Durham more than an extra run or two in the coming months as I make them favourites.
Also in the mix is Giles White’s Hampshire. The Rose Bowl club have strengthened considerably over the winter break bringing in solid South African opening batsman Neil McKenzie, all-rounder Kabir Ali, the near fit-again Simon Jones and Sri Lankan spin sensation Ajantha Mendis who will be joining the squad in June. These overseas additions already add to what is a strong squad, blending a mix of experience and youth with the likes of Dimitri Mascarenhas, Nic Pothas, Michael Lumb and new England test opener Michael Carberry joined by young all-rounder Liam Dawson and pace bowler David Griffiths. The outgoings of Chris Tremlett and Imran Tahir whom have provided Hampshire with a steady flow of wickets in the past couple of seasons, but in Kabir Ali, they have a man that if he can return to the form earlier in his career he could become the best strike bowler in the county championship. White believes his side can challenge on all four fronts this term, and with Twenty20 finals day being held at the Rose Bowl, the club will have even extra motivation to get through to finals day. Overall, a strong and talented squad will see Hampshire have a good season, pushing for the title, but I still think they have a bit more work to do in the games longer format but they are the team to beat in one-day cricket.
Kabir Ali (right) could be seeing a few more familiar sights like this in the county championship if he can become one of the country’s leading strike bowlers again at new club Hampshire.
Lancashire, another side searching for their first county championship win in well over half a century will be looking to hit the ground running from the offing. Coach Peter Moore’s has a point to prove after a not so successful spell in charge of England, whilst new overseas star Ashwell Prince will be determined to prove that he has got more tucked away in his locker then what he showed against England last winter. Under the captaincy of Glen Chapple, the Old Trafford outfit are sure to be competitive, but they look as though they are missing that special spark which other sides around them have. Maybe, just maybe, forgotten man Andrew Flintoff might work himself back into the picture, and like he says if he is free to play four-day cricket, there are few better bowling all rounders. A mid-table championship finish and a spirited run in the Twenty20 will be Lancashire’s 2010.
Former England wicket-keeper Chris Read leads Nottinghamshire into the new season looking strong and calculated. The cool purchase of South African batsman Hashim Amla should act as a spur for the side to attain some early season hundreds and fit-again spinner Samit Patel has more than a point to prove after being dropped from the England side because of issues over his weight. Nott’s, runners up to Durham in each of the last two campaigns are as consistent as you get in county cricket and with a mix of strong unity and youth in the side I expect them to mount another solid title charge.
Newcomers Essex welcome themselves into domestic crickets top tier, but a off-season littered with recent financial difficulties and questions marks over the redevelopment of Chelmsford, could see this have an adverse affect on their performance meaning they will find it tough to beat the drop. A heavily relied on bowling unit, could see them struggle to bowl sides out on a variety of wickets and Essex are relying heavily on Ravi Bopara coming good again at the top of the order. They need big runs from him. He has a massive point to prove. So why not? They are better equipped in the shorter form of the game, with explosive hitters like Graham Napier key if they are going to make it through to Twenty20 finals day again.
Ravi Bopara (above) will be hoping to re-capture the form he showed when he first burst into the England side for Division 1 newboys Essex.
Kent under the guidance of Rob Key, have not strengthened considerably over the winter months but they have a nucleus to a side there that is familiar with each other and their qualities. A proven batting line-up, with in addition quick strike bowlers like Amjad Khan and Robbie Joseph gives them a dependable first XI, but you don’t feel the strength and depth is there for them to carry themselves through and make a substantial title push. For me, their best hope of success comes in the form of the Twenty20 where Key’s instalment of team character and charisma has helped them beat sides through the pure will to win.
Yorkshire come into the season with a decent group of young players, but it will be the leadership of Captain Andrew Gale that will be key if they are going to secure a mid-table championship position instead of lurking dangerously close to the relegation places. The Headingley club's perennial struggle in recent years makes the club desperate for some kind of silverware. Twenty20 could be their ticket to success if they can strike a winning combination. The overseas purchase of Herschelle Gibbs should not go unnoticed, because in the South African they have a match winner and one of the games most feared batsman.
The newly appointed Andrew Gale (above) as captain will lead Yorkshire this term.
Finally Warwickshire and Ashley Gile’s reformed side. Traditionally a more astute one day outfit, the Bear’s will be looking to reclaim last season’s 40-over success and in spinner Imran Tahir they have a genuine talent that if he is in good form can cause anyone problems. A key player though could be young Irishman Boyd Rankin. The paceman is starting to come into his own in an attack which needs a leader and if he performs well he could be the lynchpin of Warwickshire success this term, expect a fourth or fifth championship finish.
Predicted Final Standings:
1) Somerset
2) Durham
3) Nottinghamshire
4) Hampshire
5) Warwickshire
6) Lancashire
7) Kent
8) Yorkshire
9) Essex
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