County championship preview – division two

When the county championship was first split into two divisions, there was little disparity in quality between the two leagues. In fact, the divisions sometimes resembled two conferences rather than a two tier system. However, over the years natural selection has gradually run its course – and as a result, the cream of county talent has risen to the top, whilst the sour lumpy rancid dregs have fallen to the bottom. Whilst that’s a little harsh on recently relegated Sussex, who are still one of the best sides in the country, we believe it’s totally, utterly and unarguably fair in the case of Northamptonshire, whose plan to turn the county into a new province of South Africa was rightly scuppered by new work permit regulations. Ho ho ho.

 

Derbyshire

Some pundits have tipped Derbyshire for promotion, but it’s hard to understand why. Maybe it was because they were so appalling two years ago that their better form in 2009 has fooled tipsters into thinking that a great young side is on the verge of something big. There’s one major drawback with that assumption: it’s wrong. Chris Rodgers is an outstanding batsman and Gary Park will provide able support, but otherwise the side lacks genuine class. Meanwhile, the seam bowling partnership of Graham Wagg and Tom Lungley will inevitably take wickets, but it’s hardly awe inspiring. It’s going to be mid-table for Derbyshire I’m afraid, unless their hard-hitting South African import, Loots Bosman (who sounds like a cross between a pirate and a Belgian footballer) comes off big time.

Strengths: Seem to have built up a good team spirit

Weaknesses: How many of Derbyshire’s side have played for England or look like doing so in the near future? Exactly.

Talisman: Graham Wagg … one of fantasy cricket’s best kept secrets

One to Watch: Loots Bosman … when he hits it, it generally stays hit

Prediction: 5th

 

Glamorgan

Will the Welshies be singing from the rooftops or lost in the valleys of despair come September? We think neither. Glamorgan made some progress last year under the captaincy of Jamie Dalyrmple, and although they are far from being the finished article, we expect them make steady progress and secure a mid-table finish. The batting is solid, with the world’s roundest Aussie, Mark Cosgrove, likely to score plenty, whilst the bowling should improve. James Harris is possibly the best young fast bowling prospect in the country, and if the fiery Garnett Kruger can finally deliver the goods they should have a balanced attack: Dean Cosker, Dalrymple, and the evergreen Bob Croft provide reliable spin options.

Strengths: Glamorgan have an interesting blend of experienced campaigners, such as Mike Powell, and youngsters with a bright future, like Tom Maynard. They also have plenty of players with a point to prove, such as Jim Allenby.

Weaknesses: Lack match winners

Talisman: Robert Croft … a great character and amazing longevity

One to Watch: James Harris … not England material yet, but he’ll get there

Prediction: 7th

 

Gloucestershire

The lads from Bristol will be hoping for a promotion place, but they face stiff competition at the top of the table. Although Jon Lewis, Steve ‘bad mood’ Kirby, and James Franklin will provide a potent seam attack that should take plenty of wickets on the greener pitches of April and May, their lack of a quality spinner may hamper their progress later in the summer (unless Richard Dawson can capture the form of his early career). Runs shouldn’t prove to be a problem, with Hamish Marshall, Chris Taylor and Alex Gidman usually reliable, but we reckon Gloucs will just miss out.

Strengths: An experienced seam attack

Weaknesses: They want promotion, but Sussex and Surrey have more class

Talisman: Steve Kirby … rumour has it that he smiled once

One to Watch: Jon Batty … wicket keeper signed from Surrey. Ok, he’s 35, but he could make a big impact.

Prediction: 4th

 

Leicestershire

Grace Road may be a dump, but the cricket should be pretty interesting at Leicestershire this year. Matthew Hoggard is their new captain – and nobody has a bloody clue whether he’ll do a good job or not. Similarly, nobody has a clue how the team will do. A batting line up that boasts James Benning, Jacques Du Toit, and Will Jefferson should be prolific if it finds form – but unfortunately it’s a big ‘if’. Meanwhile, it’s also hard to predict what the bowling will be like. Will Hoggard rediscover his best form? Can Andy Harris make it through the season without drawing his pension? Is their new overseas player, Andrew ‘Ronald’ McDonald, the worst test player Australia have ever produced? We’ll have a better idea in a few months time.

Strengths: I’m going to stick my neck out and predict the batting will fire them to mid-table

Weaknesses: The seam bowling looks short of aggression and penetration

Talisman: Hoggy Hoggy Hoggy, Oi Oi Oi

One to Watch: James Taylor … highly promising 20 yr old batsman who has scored 1300 first class runs at an average of almost 47 (with three hundreds). Looks a hell of a prospect.

Prediction: Hard to tell so let’s go for somewhere in the middle, say 6th

 

Middlesex

Angus Fraser’s Middlesex have a lot of talent at their disposal, but there are too many intangibles to predict with certainty how their season will go. If Steven Finn is available for much of the season, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be pushing for promotion, but if he’s away with England then the attack looks a bit lightweight; Tim Murtagh usually takes lots of wickets, but if it’s a dry summer and the pitches are flat, his limitations will become apparent. With Owais Shah likely to be available throughout the summer, the batting order is oozing with talent – but they must prove they can perform consistently. Dawid Malan and Eoin Morgan are fantastic talents, but their first class averages don’t reflect this (and amazingly, they have just seven hundreds between them!)

Strengths: A number of exciting youngsters

Weaknesses: The scrumptious Lord’s lunches seem to affect the team’s performances

Talisman: Shaun Udal … anyone with the nickname ‘Shaggy’ gets my vote

One to Watch: Scott Newman … once tipped as an England prospect in his younger years at Surrey; will be hoping to recapture some form with his new county.

Prediction: a generous 3rd

 

Northamptonshire

As a Worcestershire fan, I thank my lucky stars that Northants are around (otherwise my beloved team would surely finish with the wooden spoon). Some people will feel sorry for Northants as three of their stalwarts, Boeta Dippenaar, Riki Wessells, and Johan van der Wath, had their work permits turned down a few weeks before the season began. It was a huge blow and it ripped the heart out of their team. However, you have ask why the heart of the team was South African? With the ECB introducing more incentives for counties to blood English youngsters, Northants will hopefully learn a valuable lesson and base their future strategy around developing local talent. Of the remaining players available to erstwhile captain Nicky Boje (another South African), David Sales will have to have an amazing season to keep Northants off the bottom of the table. However, at least they can call upon the all round talents of Andrew Hall (yet another South African) who remains an effective player in all forms of cricket.

Strengths: The work permit dispute may have brought the players closer together

Weaknesses: The remaining players aren’t good enough

Talisman: Mal Loye … returning after several seasons at Lancs

One to Watch: Elton Chigumbura … promising all-rounder from Zimbabwe

Prediction: 9th (wooden spoon)

 

Surrey

It’s bound to be an interesting season at the Oval. 22 year old Rory Hamilton Brown has returned from Sussex to lead the side in what was an audacious, if risky, appointment. On paper Surrey look to be building an excellent side – having made a number of astute signings, including eye-catching traitor (ahem) I mean keeper/batsman, Steve Davies. The batting looks formidable, with Davies joining the likes of Mark Ramprakash and Usman Afzaal. The bowling also looks rather useful, with the Pakistani fast bowler, Iftikhar Anjum, joining Andre Nel, Jade Dernbach, Chris Jordan and new signings Chris Tremlett and Gareth Batty. If Tremlett sorts his head out and stays injury free, Surrey might push Sussex all the way in the division two title race.

Strengths: A wealth of talent and an excellent coaching staff that boasts Chris Adams, Graham Thorpe, and Mark Butcher.

Weaknesses: Perhaps there have been too many changes during the winter … will there be a period of transition?

Talisman: Mark Ramprakash … bound to be tipped for an England recall at some point

One to Watch: Chris Jordan … big talent, but must overcome a recent injury

Prediction: 2nd (promotion)

 

Sussex

Michael Yardy’s men are the thoroughbreds of this division – and promotion should be a certainty. However, they will have to work hard to pip Surrey to the title. The batting should take care of itself, with the improving Chris Nash set to score heavily, and Murray Goodwin and Ed Joyce sure to provide classy innings. Joe Gatting (son of Mike), Luke Wright and Dwayne Smith are also capable of making telling contributions. The bowling is boosted by the arrival of Monty Panesar, who joins Ollie Rayner and Will Beer in an impressive battery of spinners. The seam bowling also looks capable, with Corey Collymore, Robin Martin Jenkins, James Kirtley and Naved-ul-Hasan likely to take enough wickets to keep Sussex ahead of their rivals in the title chase.

Strengths: All-round strength in depth in both batting and bowling

Weaknesses: None really … although they lack an out and out quick bowler

Talisman: Murray Goodwin … he just keeps on scoring runs

Out to Watch: Will Beer … let’s hope Monty’s arrival doesn’t restrict the  young leggie’s chances.

Prediction: 1st (champions)

 

Worcestershire

It has been a miserable winter for Worcestershire fans. With the exception of loyal captain Vikram Solanki, they have lost all their best players: including Kabir Ali, Simon Jones, Stephen Moore and Steve Davies. Thankfully however, they have signed two very useful overseas players in Phil Jacques and Bangladesh’s Shakib Al-Hasan. Therefore, they should have just about enough strength in batting to finish above Northants and avoid the wooden spoon. However, whilst Solanki, Jacques, and Al-Hasan, will provide quality runs, the bowling looks extremely weak. Imran Arif, Chris Whelan and Richard Jones have some potential, but they will need to step up big time. Otherwise, new signing Alan Richardson will have to hold the attack together – and when he tried to do that for Middlesex, he invariably got injured.

Strengths: Jacques, Solanki and Shakib

Weaknesses: Other than Daryl Mitchell and on loan keeper, Ben Scott, the other eight players are yet to prove that they can cut it in professional cricket.

Talisman: Vikram Solanki … still arguably the most stylish batsman in the country

One to Watch: Alexei Kervezee … young Dutchman with a growing reputation (in Holland anyway)

James Morgan

4 comments

  • I believe the division is very open and bar Sussex, they all look quite even. I am not sure how well Surrey will do – they have brought a lot of players in and seem to have a lot of big names coaches who need to work together. I am also not sure about 22 year old skipper when your best player is 40 and can be a challenge.

  • can someone explain why worcestershire,the size of a thimble is a county side but norfolk which is far larger is not?

  • Errr … no I can’t explain. Sorry! Probably something to do with the club structure.

  • My bold prediction for Surrey was based on the fact that Chris Adams must know what he’s doing, surely?! However, after the first round of matches, I’m not so sure now. Good to see Worcestershire win. Obviously an unbeaten season now beckons …. followed by promotion and then a winless season in 2011 no doubt.

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