Kent: 
​
Last Season: 2nd (promotion) Division Two: 10W, 3L, 1D

Last Five Results: Lost vs Warwickshire (A), Win vs Glamorgan (H), Win vs Middlesex (A), Win vs Northamptonshire (H), and Win vs Derbyshire (A)

2018 Leading Run Scorer: Joe Denly - 941 Runs @ 34.50 (3x100, 3x50, HS: 119)

2018 Top of the Batting Averages: Joe Denly 941 runs at 34.50

2018 Leading Wicket Taker: Matt Henry – 75 @ 15.48 (BBI: 7-42, BBM 12-73)

2018 Top of the Bowling Averages: (Minimum of 10 wickets): Matt Henry 75 wickets at 15.48. 

The bookies’ favourite to be relegated are Kent who are making their first return to the top flight of First-Class cricket since 2010. Much of last seasons’ success is owed to Joe Denly and Matt Henry who both starred to help the Spitfires’ to a second-placed finish in Division Two and with-it promotion to Division One. 

However, worryingly for the Matt Walker’s men, you would think that Denly, the leading run-getter for the club will be missing for large chunks of the season with England duty and other T20 franchise cricket commitments. That will leave a lot of pressure on stand-in skipper Heino Kuhn, Daniel Bell-Drummond and overseas’ signing Matthew Renshaw to bring the bulk of the runs. The aforementioned three will need to have big seasons for the Canterbury-based club if they are to have any chance of survival. Kuhn is class, and I have no doubt that the South African will be able to handle the step up, the worry for Kent is that should Renshaw enjoy a fruitful early season spell he may well earn an Ashes call-up after becoming accustomed to conditions in England following a couple of stints of County action. 
It is, of course, a big season for Bell-Drummond too, the opener has toured with the Lions and is undoubtedly being looked at as a potential opener for England in the future, he will need prove that he can handle the step up in quality in Division One to the England selectors. 

On the bowling front, the loss of Matt Henry will hit them hard; the Kiwi did the bulk of the work for Joe Denly last season collecting a magnificent 75-Division Two scalps last summer. A lot will rest of the ageing shoulders of Darren Stevens – whose guile and experience could prove vital this summer, though you feel his dibbly-dobblers will be easy pickings for some of the batsmen in Division One. Matt Milnes and Mitch Claydon represent the other seam bowling options. 

It was a fantastic feat from Matt Walker to even get Kent back up to Division One, and for his sake, I hope they perform miracles, but you fear their batting may leave them light and loss of Matt Henry will hit them hard. 

Lancashire:

Last Season: 7th Division 1. W3 L7 D3 (1 Tie).

Last Five results: Lost v Surrey (A), Won v Worcestershire (H), Tied v Somerset (A), Lost v Yorkshire (A), Won v Hampshire (A).

2018 leading run scorer:  Dane Vilas, 792 @ 37.7 (3x100, 1x50, HS 235*).

2018 top of batting averages: Keaton Jennings, 709 @ 47.3 (3x100, 1x50, HS 177).

2018 leading wicket-taker: Tom Bailey, 64 @ 19.7 (BBI 5-53, BBM 8-67)

2018 top of bowling averages: Keshav Maharaj, 17 @ 16.6 (BBI 7-37, BBM 11-102)

Twenty-seven first innings runs against Hampshire in their last game – the difference between two and three batting points – proved to be the difference between Division One and Division Two cricket at Old Trafford in 2019. However, it could easily have been settled before then. An epic fight-back against Surrey on August 22nd left them just seven runs short of victory and, at Taunton, on September 5th, Lancashire recovered from being dismissed for 99 in the first innings to set Somerset 78 to win and took the last two wickets with the scores level, to produce a rare tie. A win in either game would have secured safety. However, until that late-season revival, it is fair to say that their season was pretty dire. Poor starts were ensured as Haseeb Hameed continued his lonely vigil in the wilderness: an average under ten and a top score of just 31 saw him twice relegated to the 2nd XI, yet he ended up playing ten Championship games. With veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul also having a disappointing campaign, far too much rested on Keaton Jennings and Dane Vilas: between them, they scored all but one of the Lancashire centuries in the season. How much more patience Lancashire will show with Haseeb Hameed remains to be seen: he has taken a full part in Lancashire’s pre-season tour, showing that he is still central to their plans and ended 2018 just missing an unbeaten double century for the 2nd XI, but another mediocre season may be a prelude to a change of county. Similarly, Shivnarine Chanderpaul will surely retire this season. Keaton Jennings does not figure in England’s World Cup plans but, early season runs may yet save his place in the Test side. 

Lancashire have had something of a clear-out. Australian batsman, Joe Burns, will be available for ten games and Glenn Maxwell for the full season. Between them, they replace Joe Mennie and Keshav Maharaj for the Championship and should ensure that the overseas position is thoroughly covered. Jordan Clark goes to Surrey, Aaron Lilley to Leicestershire and Mark Watt to Derbyshire. Karl Brown, who has had few opportunities, has been released and also, sadly, Simon Kerrigan, who has put his playing career on hold to move into coaching. Kerrigan who, at one stage, seemed to be the natural successor for Monty Panesar in the England side, never recovered from his rough handling on his England debut. Richard Gleeson, who made a significant impact in the last two games of the season on loan from Northants, joins the Lancashire attack, full time. Lancashire have also given contracts to four players from the youth programme: George Lavell, George Balderson, Tom Hartley and Jack Morley. Dane Vilas takes over as captain from Liam Livingstone, who had a torrid season, failing to reach fifty and having few opportunities with the ball.  Karl Krikken becomes Performance Manager, and Mark Chilton adds the post of Performance Director to Assistant Coach.

Prediction: What are a historic club like Lancashire doing in Division 2 for the second time this decade? The last time that they found themselves in this predicament they made sure that their return was the fastest possible. It will be a major shock if they do not take one of the three promotion places on offer.

Leicestershire:

Last Season: 6th Division 2. W5 L7 D2.

Last five results: Lost v Gloucestershire (A), Lost v Sussex (A), Lost v Warwickshire (H), Won v Durham (H), Lost v Glamorgan (A).

2018 leading run scorer:  Colin Ackermann, 876 @ 39.8 (2x100, 3x50, HS 196*).

2018 top of batting averages: Zak Chappell, 145 @ 48.3 (0x100, 0x50, HS 40).

2018 leading wicket-taker: Ben Raine, 51 @ 22.5 (BBI 4-44, BBM 7-89)

2018 top of bowling averages: Colin Ackermann, 9 @ 15.2 (BBI 2-26, BBM 3-29)

For a few wonderful weeks in mid-season, Leicestershire had a run of form that had their fans dreaming of playing in Division 1. After starting with two draws and a defeat, leaving the suffering fans thinking that another wooden spoon battle was on the way, four of the next five matches were won. It was a vindication for the pundits who looked at the signings made for the season and felt that Leicestershire had reinforced wisely and effectively. An extraordinary win against Glamorgan by three runs, just when the Glamorgan last wicket pair seemed about to snatch an incredible victory, was followed by a calm chase in a low-scoring match against Northants. A heart-stopping defeat against Middlesex, interrupted the sequence, as the last pair of James Harris and Tim Murtagh got their side over the line in a big chase. Two more comfortable wins then moved the Foxes up to a totally unexpected third place and left them pressurising the top two. Sadly, it was not to be, because five of the last six games were lost. Sixth place was probably better than most fans expected before the season started, but was ultimately bitterly disappointing.

The reasons for the difficulties are not hard to see. While Mohammad Abbas and Ben Raine sent down 740 overs and took a heroic 101 wickets between them, at a combined average of 20.1, only Colin Ackermann scored a century, and only one other batsman reached 90. Abbas and Raine carried the side, aided and abetted by Ackermann’s bat, with only bit-parts from other members of the squad. Without Raine in 2019, Leicestershire will need Gavin Griffiths to step up after a decent 2018 with the ball and will need more from Fireball Dexter who, although third in the batting averages, managed just 3x50 and averaged a modest 34.4, although his bowling continued to produce valuable wickets, often when most needed. Paul Horton and Harry Dearden averaged 28.3 and 22.3 respectively and will both need to step up their game if Leicestershire are to set totals that their bowling attack can defend. 

Leicestershire have had an enormous clear-out of the playing staff. No fewer than ten players have left, four to other counties and six released. The loss of Ben Raine and Zak Chappell will surely be felt, as will the experience of Mark Pettini, Ned Eckersley and Michael Carberry. Mohammed Nabi did not feature in the Championship, but he too departs, leaving the county searching for a T20 specialist. Mohammad Abbas will return to lead the attack and will be expected to bowl a lot of overs in the absence of Ben Raine. Entering are Chris Wright, from Warwickshire, Will Davis from Derbyshire and Aaron Lilley from Lancashire. Overall though, the squad looks significantly weaker than it was in 2018.
​
Prediction: The end of season implosion and loss of key members of the team suggests that 2019 will be a season of struggle. Anything better than bottom three will be a pleasant surprise.

Glamorgan:
Last Season: 10th Division 2. W2 L10 D2.

Last five results: Lost v Warwickshire (H), Lost v Derbyshire (A), Lost v Gloucestershire (H), Lost v Kent (A), Won v Leicestershire (H).

2018 leading run scorer:  Chris Cooke, 606 @ 24.2 (0x100, 4x50, HS 69).

2018 top of batting averages: Usman Khawaja, 420 @ 52.2 (3x100, 0x50, HS 126).

2018 leading wicket-taker: Mike Hogan, 45 @ 22.5 (BBI 5-49, BBM 8-102)

2018 top of bowling averages: Tim van ter Gugten, 43 @ 21.8 (BBI 7-42, BBM 8-71)


Glamorgan had big wins in their first and last game of the season. In between, they lost ten of the remaining twelve matches and finished bottom by a distance. While there are some big changes in the backroom staff, the playing staff are largely the same as in 2018, which makes one fear for their chances in 2019. The form of the new Captain, Chris Cooke was one of the biggest worries. When your top run-scorer averages under 25, you know that the team has big issues. In the opening game, against Gloucestershire, centuries for Marsh and Lloyd set up a total of 526-9d and a big win but, even then, a collapse from 51-0 to 67-4, chasing 83, produced more than a few nerves in the closing stages. Lloyd and Marsh managed just two more fifties between them in the rest of the season and just twice more did Glamorgan pass 300.

Glamorgan will be waiting on Shaun Marsh’s fortunes. He is expected to be in the Australian World Cup squad, thus making him unavailable for the first half of the season. Whether or not he is selected in the Ashes squad is less certain. Marsh has dropped out of Test XI but, as a batsman with experience of English conditions, he will be hoping to have one of the batting reserve slots. If Marsh is again unavailable for much of the season, Glamorgan will be scrambling for a replacement who can hold together a flaky batting line-up. Aneurin Donald has rejected a new contract and left for Hampshire, for whom he played on loan after saying that he wanted to leave Cardiff, while Joe Burns, who has only played T20 for Glamorgan, has gone to Lancashire. They are replaced by Billy Root, signed from Nottinghamshire and Queensland batsman, Charlie Hemphrey. While neither is a big-name signing with stellar statistics to back him, both are solid players who management hope will solidify the batting. Two Youth signings join them – Callum Taylor and the delightfully named, Devon-born, Kazi Szymanski – and by MCC Young cricketer, Jamie McIlroy. Szymanski had some impressive 2nd XI performances, while Taylor has come through club cricket and is reckoned to be probably the best player in the South Wales Premier League, although all are on a Development contract and none of the three is expected to be a 1st XI regular this season.

Chris Cooke will have the massive job of being Captain, wicket-keeper, dominant batsman and One Day captain. No new Head Coach has been named since Robert Croft left in mid-October, with Matthew Maynard doing the job on an interim basis and Mark Wallace as Director of Cricket and Hugh Morris dedicating himself exclusively to the position of Chief Executive. It is hard to avoid the sensation that there is some turmoil at Sophia Gardens.
​
Prediction: Glamorgan are likely to struggle again. Their chances of success may rest on the availability of Shaun Marsh, but anything better than bottom three will require a significant turnaround in fortunes.

Gloucestershire:
Last Season:  5th Division 2. W5 L4 D5.

Last five results: Won v Leicestershire (H), Drew v Middlesex (H), Won v Glamorgan (A), Drew v Northants (H), Won v Derbyshire (A).

2018 leading run scorer:  Chris Dent, 851 @ 34.0 (1x100, 4x50, HS 214*).

2018 top of batting averages: Kieran Noema-Barnett, 323 @ 35.9 (0x100, 2x50, HS 73*).

2018 leading wicket-taker: Craig Miles, 56 @ 21.1 (BBI 5-50, BBM 8-90)

2018 top of bowling averages: Ryan Higgins, 48 @ 18.4 (BBI 5-21, BBM 8-54)

There was a moment before rain intervened at Hove on April 29th when Gloucestershire fans could contemplate possibly going top of Division 2, with two wins from three. The season went downhill rapidly from there as a succession of poor first innings performances left the side chasing the game, time and again. Things at Bristol then went from bad to worse as, first, overseas signing Dan Worrall went home injured after just four games, then stalwarts Craig Miles and Liam Norwell announced that they would leave Bristol and head to Birmingham, leading to unhappy fans to dubbing their side “Warwickshire 2nd XI”. Although the signing of Dan Worrall had been preceded by the same scepticism that had met the signing of Michael Klinger initially some years before, he rapidly showed himself to be a fine bowler and a shrewd pick, although all-too-briefly available. With Worrall gone, Liam Norwell injured for all but one game and David Payne and Kieran Noema-Barnett all missing a lot of games through injury, the batting misfiring badly and Captain, Chris Dent, looking as if he were batting with a stick of rhubarb, the season could have disintegrated totally.
However, wins in four of the last seven matches led Gloucestershire to pass from being wooden spoon contenders to their best finish for several seasons and boast more wins than defeats. The reasons for the resurgence were not hard to find: Ryan Higgins and Craig Miles showed some excellent form; Chris Dent produced, at last, huge, match-winning innings and several of the young players such as Ben Charlesworth and Bobby Bracey had their moments. Higgins, a fringe player at Lord’s, had a wonderful season, showing himself to be a destructive bowler and scoring a century – Middlesex fans wondered why they had let him go. And Craig Miles, who has struggled since touring with the England performance squad, signed-off at Bristol with some huge performances. One cannot not mention Kieran Noema-Barnett, who has attained legendary status at Bristol: his roly-poly appearance and an attitude described as “if it were any more laid-back, he’d be asleep”, has endeared him to the fans and, before his crippling injury, he was showing some fine form in organising low-order resistance.

The end of the 2018 season at Bristol has resembled the end of 2011, then, almost all of the first-string attack left. At the end of 2018, Craig Miles and Liam Norwell went to Warwickshire. Kieran Noemi-Barnett returned to New Zealand, accepting a major job offer at home, and although he remains the nominal overseas signing for 2019, Dan Worrall has had such an injury-plagued winter that his chances of a return must be deemed slim and, if fit, may be in the Ashes squad anyway. Gloucestershire’s only signing to replace the losses has been Stuart Whittingham, brought up from Sussex, where he got few chances to bowl much. The fans are hoping that someone will be signed as cover for Worrall but, as yet, there is no news of a replacement.

Prediction: The loss of the majority of the bowling attack from 2018 could be a crippling blow, but there is some optimism around Neville Road given that a group of good, young players are showing their ability. Realistically, repeating the fifth place of 2018 would be a fine result and mid-table would be no disgrace.

Hampshire:

Last Season: 5th – Division One: 4W, 5D, 5L

Last Five results: Lost v Lancashire (H), Draw v Yorkshire (A), Win v Somerset (H), Win v Worcestershire (A), Lost v Essex (A)

2018 Leading run scorer: James Vince 1,101 @ 44.04 – (3x100, 2x50, HS: 201*)

2018 Top of the Batting Averages: Hashim Amla 492 runs @ 54.66 ( 2x100, 3x50, HS: 112)

2018 Leading Wicket Taker: Fidel Edwards – 54 wickets @ 26.72 (BBI: 6/50, BBM: 7/112)
​
2018 Top of the Bowling Averages (min of 10 wickets): Dale Steyn: 30 wickets @ 19.10 (BBI: 5/66, BBM: 7/71)  

Hampshire will hope a change at the top will bring much-needed success after a couple of years of disappointment. Indeed, if the Hawks had a walkout tune to the middle, it would ‘The Great Escape’ admittedly last season wasn’t as hairy as 2017 but will still be deemed a failure in the eyes of the Ageas Bowl faithful. 

For a team stacked full of international experience, particularly with the ball, it is somewhat baffling that they so severely underachieved in recent years. Fidel Edwards and Kyle Abbott alone have a shed load of test wickets between, while the tweaks provided by Mason Crane (who is looking for a big year in 2019 with an outside chance of an Ashes Call-Up) and Liam Dawson should be enough to take 20-wickets regularly. So often is the case though that they fall short and that is the first issue on the whiteboard of fixes for new coach Adrian Birrell. 

Second on that list in big, bold capital letters will be runs on the board, only James Vince came out of last year with any real credit hitting an impressive 1,101 runs as he continues to carry the load for his side. The arrival of Aiden Markram (a late replacement for Sri Lankan Dimuth Karunaratne) should help add some stability, but the likes of Sam Northeast and Rilee Rossouw need to improve on last year’s outlay of 451 and 489 runs respectively. A concern for Birrell’s men is the potential loss of James Vince to Ashes action; the Hampshire Skipper harbours hopes of opening for England in the Ashes and a long spell without the talismanic leader could prove problematic for the Hawks. 

Should their bowlers fire though they could yet enjoy a solid season, and a new coach with fresh ideas could turn their fortunes but, I do not expect to see them challenging at the top, expect them to survive (again) but be in for another season of mid-season mediocracy at best. 

Derbyshire:

Last Season: 7th Division 2. W4 L7 D3.

Last five results: Lost v Kent (A), Won v Glamorgan (H), Won v Northants (A),
Lost v Middlesex (A), Lost v Gloucestershire (H).

2018 leading run scorer:  Wayne Madsen, 1016 @ 37.6 (2x100, 7x50, HS 144).

2018 top of batting averages: Ben Slater, 676 @ 42.3 (0x100, 6x50, HS 99).

2018 leading wicket-taker: Tony Palladino, 51 @ 19.7 (BBI 6-29, BBM 10-81)

2018 top of bowling averages: Luis Reece, 11 @ 17.9 (BBI 7-20, BBM 7-38)

Derbyshire's problems could be encapsulated in the struggles of Captain Billy Godleman. The first eight games of the season brought him just a solitary fifty. Although he ended strongly, with 2x100 and 2x50 in the last six games, an average of 26.3 is not what you hope for from a batsman who had appeared re-born at Derby. An attack of Ravi Rampaul, Mark Footitt, Duane Olivier and Tony Palladino looked sturdy enough to give any batting line-up a hard time, but Footitt managed just a single game, and his England ambitions now seem to be over, and Ravi Rampaul’s 13 wickets came at more than 50 apiece. Rampaul’s season ended prematurely at Hove on August 19th when he left the field with breathing difficulties and spent several nights in the hospital bed.
​
Derbyshire have seen important changes both on and off-field over the winter. They have signed New Zealand all-rounder Logan van Beek as their overseas player for the entire 2019 season for all formats. A medium-fast bowler and middle-order batsman, Derbyshire hope that he will strengthen their attack. An international with The Netherlands, he has been out of their side for more than three years now but, instead, has played for New Zealand A and is close to a cap for them. Batsman, Tom Lace has been signed on loan from Middlesex but, as part of the agreement, will not be available for games against Middlesex. And Scotland spinner, Mark Watt, has crossed the Pennines from Lancashire, hoping for the opportunity of regular cricket. On the negative side, Ben Slater has left for Nottinghamshire, Duanne Olivier has taken a Kolpak deal at Yorkshire and stalwarts Gary Wilson (T20 captain), and Hardus Viljoen have both been released, alongside Will David and Callum Brodrick. While the playing staff seem thinner in 2019, the backroom staff is now full of experience. David Houghton comes back to his post as Head of Cricket. Steve Kirby is bowling coach, and Dominic Cork is Head Coach for T20, while John Wright will work as an advisor on recruitment and strategy.

Although 2018 was ultimately disappointing, it was, at least, despite all the injury problems, a small advance on the three wins and eighth place of 2017. However, one feels that 2019 is going to be a challenging year because recruitment has not matched the talent that has left the club. Derbyshire will need Billy Godleman to continue his late-season form from 2018 and for van Beek to get both runs and wickets. More than anything though, they will need Rampaul and Footitt to stay fit and have one, last hurrah if they are to bowl sides out regularly.

Prediction: Derbyshire will struggle to avoid a bottom three finish.

Durham:

• Last Season: 8th Division 2. W4 L7 D2.


• Last five results: Lost v Northants (H), Draw v Warwickshire (A), Won v Sussex (H), Lost v Leicestershire (A), Lost v Middlesex (A).


• 2018 leading run scorer:  Cameron Steel, 638 @ 29.0 (1x100, 4x50, HS 160).


• 2018 top of batting averages: Tom Latham, 366 @ 45.8 (1x100, 2x50, HS 147).


• 2018 leading wicket-taker: Chris Rushworth, 60 @ 20.0 (BBI 8-51, BBM 12-100)


• 2018 top of bowling averages: Axar Patel, 18 @ 13.1 (BBI 7-54, BBM 9-130)

 Durham sampled the extremes of success and failure in 2018. Their season started being bowled out for 91 before Lunch on the first day, but the worst ignominy was to be bowled out by Leicestershire for 61 and 66 in a total of 52.3 overs in the penultimate match of the campaign. In between, Durham recovered from conceding an 256-run first innings lead against Leicestershire and, after following-on, aided by a career-best 7-32 from medium-pacer, James Weighell, bowled out Leicestershire for 101 to win by 46 runs. Weighell played the next match against Derbyshire and T20 later in the season, but no more Championship cricket. This was symptomatic of Durham’s issues; they used no fewer than twenty-five players in the Championship with fourteen bowlers delivering at least thirty overs. While Salisbury and Rushworth took 104 wickets between them, sixteen bowlers shared the other 117 wickets that Durham took through the season, and the next best effort was Axel Patel’s 18: Patel was one of four overseas players used throughout the season. Likewise, the batting, only Steel reached 500 runs, and just two other batsmen passed 400, with Steel’s average of 29.0 by far the best of the three. Ben Stokes was available for only one game and Mark Wood for four: their combined 25 wickets in those five matches showed Durham what they were missing.

After several seasons of losing their best players, the county seems to be returning to stability. For 2019, Durham must do without Paul Collingwood, who has retired finally. Collingwood had a season to forget, without a single fifty and averaging under 15, but Durham will miss his calm and his authority. In his place they have made the brave, one might almost say, courageous signing of Cameron Bancroft. There is no question that Bancroft has talent, although his common sense and sartorial judgement might be questioned. It will be interesting to see what he makes of the spicy pitches of the Riverside, as an extended run for Gloucestershire in 2016 and 2017 brought minimal success: almost a quarter of his runs over sixteen matches came in a single inning. Bancroft will undoubtedly receive some “chat” from opposition players and fans alike and how he handles it may define Durham’s season. Elsewhere, the squad seems reinforced, with two shrewd signings in Leicestershire’s Ben Raine, a useful all-rounder, who enjoyed a wonderful 2018 season, and Yorkshire’s Alex Lees, exiting the club are Barry McCarthy as he is now, with Ireland’s promotion, an overseas player. Ryan Davis, a fringe player in the Championship, has also left for personal reasons. The county is unlikely to see much of Stokes and Wood – if he stays fit, Wood is likely to be playing for England – so a lot of weight will fall, again, on the shoulders of Chris Rushworth to hold together the attack. More critical still is for the batsmen to make top-order runs after a horrific collective 2018: if Durham is to challenge, they will need at least two batsmen to top 800 runs for the season and several more to go past 600. James Franklin is expected to join the coaching staff, bringing with him a wealth of experience.
​
Prediction: Durham needs to show that an up and down 2018, including some remarkable wins from unpromising positions, was the first sign that they are turning the corner. More consistency in 2019 and they could be dark horses to go up.

Essex:

• Last Season: 3rd Division One, 7W, 4L, 2D


• Last Five Results: Won v Surrey (A), Won v Worcestershire (H), Won v Nottinghamshire (A), Lost v Surrey (H), Won v Hampshire (H)


• 2018 Leading run scorer: Ravi Bopara 751 @ 41.72 (2x100, 4x50 HS: 133*)


• 2018 Top of the averages: Murali Vijay 323 @ 64.60 (1x100, 3x 50, HS: 100)


• 2018 Leading wicket taker: Jamie Porter, 58 @ 24.64 (BBI: 7-41, BBM: 11-98)


• 2018 Leading bowling average: Peter Siddle, 37 @ 16.40 (BBI: 5-37, BBM 8-72)

Anthony McGrath enters his second year as head coach hoping to continue as he left off towards the back end of the 2018 season, after a slow start to his tenure the Eagles finally start to take full flight just as the nights were shortening with four wins from their final five matches. The arrival of Murali Vijay steadied the ship in the top order and gave the Chelmsford based club a sturdy base at the top of the innings. McGrath’s men had been missing runs all season long and it came as no surprise that their upturn in fortunes coincided with some much-needed calmness from the classy opener. Indeed, the Eagles secured victory in all three of the matches he took part in. Essex haven’t got Vijay this summer, but they have got their returning Sir for the full season in Alastair Cook, who will make a welcome return to County Cricket following his retirement from international cricket. 

Cook’s return will be most welcomed perhaps by Tom Westley and Nick Browne who will be looking to have big seasons after disappointing large parts in 2018. The pair both tend to improve when batting with Cook with both men benefiting from the former England captain’s guidance and coolness in the middle. Whilst, unlikely a strong start to the season for either Westley or Browne could see an unlikely call-up for the Ashes, and learning from Cook can only set them in good stead. 

In terms of winter arrivals the Eagles have secured Peter Siddle for a further two season after the Australian Paceman impressed last season, but there are fears that the club lose the opening bowling to international duty with the Aussies coming to town for the Ashes this Summer, and good start to his county campaign could see him receive another Ashes call-up. Siddle proved to be a popular character around the Cloud FM County Ground with the 34-year-old often seen helping the Essex bowling youngsters develop their game, and his experience will prove key for Jamie Porter, Sam Cook and Aaron Beard’s development long term, of course Porter will be hoping to line-up against Siddle in the Ashes come June. 

Andre Nel, former Essex and South African strike bowler has linked up with the Eagles once again to become assistant and bowling coach replacing the departed Dimitri Mascarenhas, who struggled to make an impact at Essex in his year with the club. Nel’s international experience could prove important for the club’s young prospects with Jack Plom in particularly highly thought of within the club. 
​
Prediction: Another season of challenging at the top awaits for the Eagles, they shouldn’t lose too many key men for the Ashes, and with the returning Alastair Cook they should be able to get the runs to set up their talented bowling attack.

By David Bowden (@Bowdenwhu) & Mark Kidger (@MarkFromMadrid)

Division One: 
 
The powers at be inside ECB Headquarters cannot go a year without changing the layout of the First-Class game, and yet again the tinker men at the top have decided to change the configuration of the leagues for the 2020 season – with ten teams set to compete in Division One and just eight in Division Two. 
 
With only one dreaded relegation spot available it could well leave a side languishing at the bookend of the table and lots of drab cricket come the end of the summer as team battle it out for the minimal ‘prize’ money available for teams in mid-table mediocrity. 
 
Make no mistake though, after a rather sombre opening gambit, it could well turn into an exciting fight for the top prize – with Surrey, Essex, Warwickshire (a potential surprise package), and Somerset all surely in the mix. 
 
How did Division One finish in 2018?
 
A very strong Surrey side romped away with the title narrowly missing out on an unbeaten season after Essex edged home by one-wicket during an intense finale at the Oval. In a summer where everything seemed to click for the ‘Rey, runs were plentiful and an attack led by the Curran brothers, Rikki Clarke and the quite brilliant Morne Morkel often proving too hot to handle. 
 
Somerset suffered a familiar feeling of Deja-vu after another stellar season, they will be hoping to be the bride rather than the bridesmaid in 2019 after finishing runners-up for the second time in three seasons. You worry for the west-countrymen that potentially losing Jack Leach to the Ashes could well harm their chances this season. Essex enjoyed another positive season finishing third in their second season back in the top flight; it was always likely that they would struggle to repeat their heroics during the 2017 season after losing coach Chris Silverwood to England. 
 
There was a significant drop off to the teams in mid-table with Yorkshire, Hampshire, and Nottinghamshire all battling more for survival than really challenging for the top. In the end, bonus points meant Nottinghamshire survived by the skin of their teeth in what proved to be a disappointing season for the Outlaws. Hampshire completed their almost now yearly great escape, this time with slightly more time to spare than usual finishing in fifth 11 points clear of relegation. While the White Rose finished in a comfortable fourth place in the end. It proved to be a task too much for newly promoted Worcestershire, who in all honestly looked woefully out of place throughout the entirety of the season winning just two of their 14 games, losing 10. Lancashire joined the Pears in relegation to Division two following a disappointing season for the Red Rose with their one-point deduction for slow over-rate proving pivotal in their demise after finishing level on points with Nottinghamshire. 
 
The Promoted Teams: 
 
Warwickshire and Kent are the new boys in the Division after both easing to promotion in 2018. Kent look strong with many astute signings in the offseason with Matthew Renshaw sure to bring them some vital runs this season alongside the ever impressive Heino Kuhn who will deputise as captain in early season with Sam Billings away on IPL duty. Warwickshire, have a lovely mix of youth and experience, with their ever-present overseas Jeetan Patel likely to prove key with the ball for the Bears, Olly Stone will also be looking to impress early season with half an eye on an unlikely call-up to the Ashes Squad. 
 
The Teams in Division One in 2019: 

Essex
Hampshire
Kent
Nottinghamshire
Surrey
Somerset
Warwickshire
Yorkshire 
 
Top tips for the title:

It could be a wide-open race of the title this summer, with the Division looking the strongest it has been for a long time. Surrey will once again be strong but could be hampered by Ashes call-ups. Somerset will be there or thereabouts again come the business end of the season, as will Essex who will be boosted by having Alastair Cook available for the entire season for the first time in a long, long time. If you want a dark horse, look at the newly promoted teams Kent and Warwickshire who could well surprise a few this season. Nottinghamshire and Hampshire are the teams that will be battling out for the wooden spoon, in my opinion, come September. 
 
Division Two: 
 
A season of change in Division Two: 
 
After just three seasons of an 8/10 configuration for the two divisions, the County Championship will change to 10/8 for the 2020 season. At the end of the season, three teams will be promoted from Division 2, with just one coming back down. With an extra promotion place up for grabs, most of the sides in Division 2 will be thinking that this might just be their year.
 
How did Division Two finish in 2018?
 
For much of the season, Division 2 appeared to be a two-horse race between Kent and Warwickshire with both wrapping-up promotion with something to spare. Warwickshire’s innings victory over Kent in the final fixture gave them the Division 2 title. Challenges by Sussex, who finished with two heavy defeats and a draw in their last three games, leaving them a distant third and, more surprisingly, Leicestershire, faded as the season closed. In contrast, Middlesex’s challenge never appeared: although wins in the final two games lifted them to a somewhat flattering fourth, a slow start meant that they were never at the races. Behind them, there was little to choose between the mid-table sides.
 
At the other end of the table, Glamorgan’s season was about as bad as it could get. Wins in the first and last game of the season bookended ten defeats and condemned the Welsh to the wooden spoon long before the end of the season. Four losses in their first five matches and the other abandoned without a ball bowled left Northamptonshire’s season in ruins. Although they improved as the season went on, only Glamorgan finished below them. And, despite two stunning comeback wins in early season, being dismissed for under one hundred four times, including twice in the same match against Leicestershire and another four times for under 135, left Durham condemned to another season in the bottom three. 
 
The relegated teams:

Worcestershire’s yo-yo relationship with Division 1 has continued. After one year in Division 1, they are back in Division 2. Lancashire have joined them, having fallen just 27 runs – one batting bonus point – short of condemning Nottinghamshire in their place.
 
The Division Two sides for 2019:

Derbyshire 
Durham 
Glamorgan 
Gloucestershire 
Lancashire 
Leicestershire 
Middlesex 
Northamptonshire 
Sussex 
Worcestershire 
 
Tips for the Top Three

The Division looks weaker than in 2018 with any one of six sides seemingly candidate to go up. History suggests that one of the relegated teams almost invariably bounces straight back; that looks more likely to be Lancashire than Worcestershire. Middlesex and Sussex will think that surely this is their chance to get back into the top flight after various seasons trapped in the second division. The dark horses might just be Durham, who seem to be climbing out of the deep, dark hole that the ECB dug for them.

Just a few more hours until the long-awaited formal start of the cricket season. Not, the MCC v Champion County match. Not the North v South games. Not even the knockabout fun of counties bullying students in weather fit for penguins and polar bears.
​
No. The great moment will happen just after 11 am tomorrow morning (weather permitting and always assuming that (a) he arrives in time and (b) remembers to switch on the microphone), when Kevin Hand makes his first prediction of the new season that Middlesex will be promoted.

Fifteen years ago save for when a Test match or ODI was on, cricket was confined to the Internet commentaries provided by Radio London. The service was the brainchild of Mark Church, who still commentates all Surrey games while tweeting updates at a prodigious rate. Kevin Hand took over the Middlesex commentaries from Ned Hall and led Middlesex to relegation in 2006.

While Mark Church had, first, the Surrey librarian and later, Jonny Barran as summariser. Kevin reached legendary status by commentating alone. While he could use the TMS box for games at Lord’s (and that made his breast swell with pride), away games could be makeshift affairs: commentating from a grassy bank on the boundary sounds like fun… until the heavens open. On another occasion, the effects microphone, dangling outside what was grandly billed as a marquee for the commentator, became an irresistible temptation for the Middlesex boundary fielder, who picked it up and regaled listeners with his own commentary.
When things were slow on the pitch – and Kevin’s early years saw some pretty dire cricket – anyone remotely associated with cricket could be grabbed and interviewed to distract listeners from events on the pitch. This even included, on one wonderful occasion, Tierry the Lord’s pastry chef, talking about cakes – a subject close to Kevin’s heart!

The wonderful thing was, no matter how bad the cricket was, Kevin made it fun to listen to, even though he made no secret of the fact that having to describe how his heroes were receiving a cauliflower ear on the pitch was, at best, a painful experience for him. Kevin though never failed to predict cheerfully at the start of each new season that Middlesex would be promoted… twice, narrowly missing the wooden spoon to consolidate his reputation as a wonderful commentator, but a dreadful pundit!
Surely Kevin will not let us down tomorrow by failing to predict, once again, a triumphant campaign.

And, of course: what was his prediction for 2017? That Middlesex would retain the Championship title, of course!

Spring has sprung (well, sort of) and the cricket season is about to begin, suddenly everything feels right with the world again. Twelve County get underway in the Specsavers County Championship on Friday all daring to dream of a memorable season ahead. 

Yorkshire v Essex

Reigning Champions Essex travel north to face Yorkshire at Headingley looking to continue their momentum from last season and get their defence of the title off to a good start. 

The White Rose suffered an early season blow losing three front-line bowlers weeks before the season opener. Both David Willey and Liam Plunkett were late call-ups to the IPL and young Ben Coad, who burst onto the scene last summer is a doubt for the season opener with a hip injury. They have also lost the mystery of Adil Rashid, who has become one of a number of players to focus on his white ball career.

They will though, be boosted by the re-arrival of Cheteshwar Pujara, the Indian batsman will have a point to prove ahead of India’s tour of England this summer and he will add much-needed stability to a line-up that was prone to collapse last summer.   

It will be interesting to see how the hosts go in the opener with much relying on their senior pros like Adam Lyth, Tim Bresnan and Gary Ballance who will all be looking to get one over their former teammate Anthony McGrath. 

For McGrath, who is taking charge of the Eagles for the first time, it is perhaps fitting that it takes place in his old backyard. He will be met by familiar surroundings as he looks to continue where Chris Silverwood left off with victory over Yorkshire. His first squad selection includes new signing Peter Siddle fresh from his Big Bash success with Adelaide Strikers in the Australian summer. Siddle, alongside Wisden Cricketer of the year Jamie Porter, youngster Sam Cook and Simon Harmer will be looking to make use of what is sure to be bowler-friendly conditions on the opening morning after the north of England was hit by horrendous weather in the weeks leading up to the curtain raiser. 

The Eagles will have fond memories of playing Yorkshire having completed the double over the White Rose last summer, comprehensively beating them in both encounters. A good start at Headingley will negate any nerves of ‘doing a Middlesex’. 

How they line up: 

Yorkshire: Ballance ©, Bresnan, Brooks, Coad, Hodd (w/k), Leaning, Lees, Lyth, Pujara, Shaw and Waite. 

Essex: Ten Doeschate ©, Foster (w/k), Bopara, Browne, Chopra, Sam Cook, Harmer, Lawrence, Porter, Siddle, Walter, Westley and Wheater 

Weather Watch:

Day one: Early morning drizzle, which will clear and remain dry with highs of 11 degrees

Day two: Clear with sunny intervals with highs of 16 degrees. 

Day three: Light rain and breezy, clear in the morning with rain showers in the afternoon with highs of 15 degrees.

Day four: Clear with sunny intervals with highs of 16 degrees.

Match odds: 
Yorkshire: 13/10
Essex: 14/5
Draw: 5/6 
Source: Betfair 

Hampshire v Worcestershire 

Newly promoted Worcestershire will be glad their season opener is away from New Road given the current status of their home of cricket. Instead, they face the tricky looking task of facing new look, Hampshire. The Southampton based club have further strengthened their squad with the arrivals of Hashim Amla and Sam Northeast – both of whom are in line to make their Hampshire debuts at the Ageas Bowl tomorrow. 
Amla joins up with plenty of familiar faces with a smattering of South Africans amongst the Hampshire ranks with Rilee Rossouw and Kyle Abbott also in the squad to face the Pears. It is a squad packed with international pedigree with Fidel Edwards, James Vince and Liam Dawson all set to feature in the season opener. 
Despite the strength in depth of this Hampshire side, Hampshire coach Craig White was quick to remind his players that there are no easy games in Division One ahead of their clash with their newly promoted visitors. 
“ The Competition is extremely strong and Division One cricket is fantastic cricket with some very good teams out there – we’re aware of the challenges Worcestershire present us with and we’re not taking them lightly”. White told Ageasbowl.com. 

Worcestershire will have to brush off a 14-year Ageas Bowl hoodoo if they are to get off to a dream start in Division One having snuck promotion back to the top flight on the final day of the County season last year. 

New coach Kevin Sharp is feeling confident ahead of the County Season though after taking over the reigns at New Road. He has made some shrewd winter signings and has urged his side to play fearless cricket. It is a motto that served Essex well last season as they took everyone by surprise if the Pears can be half as successful as the Eagles were last year they’ll be happy. 

The arrival of Travis Head will bolster their batting ten-fold, although he is more known for his white-ball career, Head will offer some much-needed aggression down the order for the visitors as they look to attack a talented, but ageing looking Hampshire bowling attack. 

Joe Leach is a wiley cricketer and he is sure to find seam movement on a pitch that will offer plenty early season. He and the experienced Steve Magoffin will play a huge role in deciding how their return to the top flight goes over the next four days. 

And Leach has reiterated his excitement of pitting his wits against the international stars that ply their trade in Division One Cricket. 

“We are raring to go and can’t wait. It’s been a long winter and we’ve been back from tour (in Abu Dhabi) for three weeks so we are all ready to go.
We want to test ourselves against people like Hashim Amla and, looking at the release dates of the England players as well, it looks like we will be facing all of them and that’s what we want to be in the top flight for.
We need to go toe to toe with these guys and hopefully beat them and that’s how the group is going to go from strength to strength now.” He told WCCC.co.uk.


How they line up: 

Hampshire: Vince ©, Adams, Wood, Dawson, Berg, Amla, Northeast, McManus, Rossouw, Weatherley, Wheal, Edwards and Abbott. 

Worcestershire: Not yet announced 

Weather watch: 

Day One: Light cloud with highs of 13 degrees.

Day Two: Sunny intervals with highs of 15 degrees. 

Day Three: Light cloud with highs of 13 degrees.

Day Four: Sunny intervals with highs of 15 degrees.

Match Odds: 

Hampshire: 13/10
Worcestershire: 21/10
Draw: 6/5
Source: Betfair 

Lancashire v Nottinghamshire
 
Fellow newly-promoted Nottinghamshire face a trip to Old Trafford to tackle Lancashire in a clash of Test Ground playing counties. 

Despite being newcomers many are expecting Nottinghamshire to fair well on their return to the top flight with a number of experienced heads mixed in with some young up and coming talents it feasible that the Outlaws could repeat Essex’s heroics from last year. 

A look down the team sheet for their opening day encounter with the Red Rose shows just how strong this Midland club is. Opening up with a top three of Chris Nash, Jake Libby and Ross Taylor is enough to send shivers down any opening bowler spine, and the depth in the line-up continues to run deep with the likes of Samit Patel, Steven Mullaney and Rikki Wessels sure to add plenty of runs this season. With the ball, they are blessed with the likes of Mark Footitt, Jake Ball, Luke Fletcher and Harry Gurney it is little wonder why many of tipping them to be the surprise package this summer. 

You’d have to think that that bowling attach will cause problems at Old Trafford in April, only a fool would choose not to take the new cherry on the opening morning of this encounter. 

Ahead of the clash, new skipper Mullaney has spoken of the excitement of taking to the field as skipper for the first time against his former county but has stressed he doesn’t feel any extra pressure. 

“I don’t think that this match and situation being against my old county puts any extra onus on it for me, because it would have been a proud and privileged moment whoever it was going to be against. 

This will be my ninth season at Trent Bridge now so I’m firmly an Outlaw, but it will be nice going back and leading the team for the first time at my old ground.
“It actually feels like the first game as Captain has come round quite quickly, especially since Christmas. But I cannot wait to get stuck in at Old Trafford and I’m confident that we have practised really well and are ready to go.” He told TrentBridge.co.uk. 
Lancashire, meanwhile, have had a little bit of a reshuffle at Old Trafford in an attempt to freshen up things after an ultimately disappointing end to last season. 
The Red Rose have brought a couple of faces from Durham in Graham Onions and Keaton Jennings who have moved slightly south to Manchester. Onions will add an extra layer to the Lancashire attack with his experience sure to add to Glen Chapple’s side’s armoury. Australian overseas recruit Joe Mennie will also add some much-needed craft to what looked like a pretty one-dimensional attack last season. 
With the bat, they look strong, with Jennings adding some flair to the top of the order alongside the ever-reliable Haseeb Hameed, who will look for a strong start to the season as Alastair Cook continues to struggle on the international stage. A good first couple of months for either of this pair could see a call-up for the England Test team this summer. 
Shiv Chanderpaul and Liam Livingstone are also top quality batsmen. Both will add middle order runs and look to add stability to the side and they will need to be at the top of their game if they are to get the hosts off to a flier against a tricky looking opponent. 
This could be the clash of the opening weekend as two top sides clash at Old Trafford. It is difficult to call; you just hope the weather won’t be the winner in this contest. 

How they line-up: 

Lancashire: Liam Livingstone (C), Tom Bailey, Shiv Chanderpaul, Jordan Clark, Steven Croft, Alex Davies, Haseeb Hameed, Keaton Jennings, Danny Lamb, Joe Mennie, Graham Onions, Stephen Parry, Matt Parkinson, Dane Vilas

Nottinghamshire: Libby, Nash, Mullaney ©, Footitt, Wessels, Gurney, Wood, Fletcher, Patel, Taylor, Moores, Ball and Root. 

Weather Watch: 
Day one:  Light rain with highs of 11 degrees. 
Day Two: Light clouds with highs of 16 degrees.
Day Three: Light rain with highs of 15 degrees.
Day Four: Cloudy with highs of 16 degrees. 

Match Odds: 
Lancashire: 17/10
Nottinghamshire: 7/5
Draw: 9/10
Source: Betfair 

Division Two: 

Warwickshire v Sussex:

The season is set to begin with a bang at Edgbaston, as the two hotly tipped teams for promotion face off in their first fixture. I suspect as with most games in the early season, Sussex may choose for an uncontested toss to get an early go at movement off the pitch. Both teams’ pre-season matches were disrupted by the weather, so there may be a few batsmen a bit uncomfortable with batting first. Look out for Olly Stone, the fast bowler played the 2nd half of last season after a nasty injury, but will be all the better after his first full pre-season with Warwickshire. For Sussex, it will be fascinating to see if Division Two top run-scorer from last year, Luke Wells, can repeat his magic performances, with a big test expected at Edgbaston.

How they line-up: 

Warwickshire 14-man squad: Jeetan Patel, Tim Ambrose, Keith Barker, Ian Bell, Henry Brookes, Sam Hain, Adam Hose, Matthew Lamb, Will Rhodes, Dominic Sibley, Ryan Sidebottom, Olly Stone, Jonathan Trott, Chris Wright. 

Sussex 13-man squad: Ben Brown, Will Beer, Michael Burgess, Harry Finch, Ollie Robinson, Phil Salt, Ishant Sharma, Will Sheffield, Stiaan van Zyl, David Wiese, Luke Wells, Luke Wright. 

Jeetan Patel is captain for the first time, as the Bears look to put last season behind them. All-rounder Will Rhodes is in the match squad and could make his debut after his move from Yorkshire. Sussex also have a new club captain, as Ben Brown takes over the reins on a permeant basis from Luke Wright. Indian international pace bowler Ishant Sharma could make his debut for Sussex. 

Weather watch: 

Cloudy and mild, with a chance of sunny spells later on in the match on Sunday and Monday. 

Match Odds:
Warwickshire 4/6,
Sussex 6/5
Source: Betfair 


Kent v Gloucestershire:

The first round of matches in 2017 also threw up this fixture. Gloucestershire will hope that history does not repeat itself, as Kent won by 334 runs, bowling out Gloucestershire for 149 and 61.

Kent have reinforced shrewdly during the off-season and have named three new signings in their 13-man squad: South Africa Test batsman Heino Kuhn, Harry Podmore (recently signed from Middlesex) and New Zealand international Matt Henry. Claydon and Tredwell are injured. They will make a late decision on the final XI, weighing different pace options, aiming to find the best balance.

Gloucestershire have decided to experiment with their batting order. Having opened in recent seasons with Klinger and then with Bancroft, 2018 will see Benny Howell move up from the middle order to accompany new captain, Chris Dent, with Gareth Roderick taking over the gloves. Australian paceman Worrall is expected to debut while new signing from Middlesex, Ryan Higgins is likely to make a debut. With Norwell and Payne injured, Gloucestershire will have some interesting decisions to make on the balance of the side.  

Kent were on the fringes of the promotion race last season and finished fifth one place, but 28 points ahead of Gloucestershire. They will hope for another good start to the season to start the challenge for a long-overdue promotion, while Gloucestershire will hope that their re-jigged batting is more solid than it was in 2017.

How they line up: 

Kent: Joe Denly (c), Daniel Bell-Drummond, Sean Dickson, Heino Kuhn, Zak Crawley, Darren Stevens, Will Gidman, Adam Rouse (wk), Calum Haggett, Grant Stewart, Matt Henry, Harry Podmore, Ivan Thomas

Gloucestershire - Dent (c), Howell, Roderick (wk), Bracey, J.Taylor, van Buuren, Higgins, Noema-Barnett, Miles, Worrall, M.Taylor, Liddle, Hankins

Weather Watch: Fair and dry with a good chance of sunny spells throughout the match. 

Match Odds:
Kent: 4/5
Gloucestershire: 9/5
Source: Betfair

Middlesex v Northants:

Middlesex will give a debut to Australian, Hilton Cartwright. Middlesex have captain Dawid Malan rested and Nick Gubbins and Eoin Morgan injured. Sam Robson will captain and Paul Stirling has been added to the squad named for the match against Durham UCCE. Northants announce a twelve-man squad and include former Middlesex players Adam Rossington and Steven Crook. New Zealand Test player Doug Bracewell, signed for the first four Championship matches, will debut. 

This interesting fixture features two sides that feel that they should not be in Division 2. Middlesex were extremely unhappy about the circumstances of their relegation, Northants were also unhappy to miss-out due to a points deduction for slow overrate that was also suffered in strange circumstances. 

In 2011, the last time these two sides met in Division 2, both sides were both in contention for promotion in the final round of matches. Middlesex ended-up going up as winners of Division 2 and, despite being runaway leaders for much of the season, Northants missed-out narrowly to fast-finishing Surrey. Word inside the Middlesex camp is that immediate promotion back to Division 1 is their minimum aim for the season, while Northants will hope to make a point against a promotion rival. This fixture is likely to offer a pointer towards the prospects of both to play in Division One in 2019

How they line up: 
Middlesex – Sam Robson (captain), Tom Barber, Hilton Cartwright, Stephen Eskinazi, James Harris, Tom Helm, Max Holden, Tim Murtagh, Ollie Rayner, Toby Roland-Jones, John Simpson (wicket-keeper), Paul Stirling, Robbie White
Northants – Wakely ©, Proctor, Levi, Rossington, Cobb, Keogh, Crook, Bracewell, Hutton, Gleeson, Sanderson, Newton

Weather watch: Dry and mild for large spells, with sunny spells on the final days play on Monday.

Match Odds:
Middlesex: 4/5
Northants: 2/1
Source: Betfair

Division One previews by David Bowden (@Bowdenwhu)
Warwickshire v Sussex by Harry Hill (@HarryHill96)
Middlesex v Northants & Kent v Gloucestershire by Mark Kidger (@MarkFromMadrid)

We all know that person who thinks he is a know-it-all, onto a sure thing, a gambling expert. Well sadly, here at View From The Outfield we are none of those people. So please do refrain from taking this as gospel, I messaged all our writers on the eve of the County season started to get their views on the upcoming season and here is what they have said. Again, I really must stress keep your wads of cash firmly in your wallet. 

Thank you to all our wonderful writers who have donned the tin hat and braved having egg on their face come September. 








County Championship Winners:
David Bowden (@Bowdenwhu): Essex
Harry Hill (@HarryHill96): Essex
Charlie Jennings (@AVCJX): Lancashire
Matthew Layton (@matt_layton5): Nottinghamshire
Jamie Ramage (@famousstrauss): Lancashire
Mark Kidger (@MarkFromMadrid): Surrey
Matthew Nichols (@mwgnichols): Essex
Bob Bowden (@54bobb): Lancashire
Kevin Watts (Too cool for Twitter): Lancashire
​
Relegation fodder: 
DB: Worcestershire & Lancashire
HH: Somerset & Nottinghamshire
CJ: Worcestershire & Somerset
ML: Worcestershire & Lancashire
JR: Worcestershire & Somerset
MK: Hampshire & Worcestershire
MN: Worcestershire & Somerset 
BB: Hampshire & Yorkshire
KW: Worcestershire & Somerset
(Sorry Worcestershire fans) 


Promotion to the Promised land: 
DB: Middlesex & Sussex 
HH: Middlesex & Sussex
CJ: Warwickshire & Middlesex
ML: Middlesex & Sussex
JR: Warwickshire & Middlesex
MK: Warwickshire & Northamptonshire
MN: Middlesex & Warwickshire
BB: Sussex & Middlesex
KW: Middlesex & Sussex

Royal London One-Day Cup winners: 
DB: Surrey
HH: Surrey
CJ: Nottinghamshire
ML: Nottinghamshire
JR: Nottinghamshire
MK: Surrey
MN: Nottinghamshire
BB: Essex
KW: Essex
(So book your tickets up Surrey & Notts fans - you're off to the final!)

Glitz and glamour Finals day glory: 
DB: Worcestershire: 
HH: Glamorgan
CJ: Birmingham
ML: Glamorgan
JR: Birmingham
MK: Nottinghamshire
MN: Northamptonshire 
BB: Nottinghamshire
KW: Surrey 

​Comment below or reply to us on Twitter to let us know who you'd trust your last tenner in the bookies with (if any!) 

​

Division: One
Where? The Oval, South London
Ins: Morne Morkel (SA, Kolpak 2-year deal), Will Jacks (YTH), Gus Atkinson (YTH), Mitch Marsh (AUS), Aaron Finch (AUS, T20)
Outs: Kumar Sangakkara (RET), Ravi Rampaul (Derbyshire)
Last Year: Championship: 3rd, RLODC: Runners-up, T20: Q/F
Key Man: Morne Morkel
2018 odds: County Championship: 11/2, RLODC: 10/1, T20: 13/2




​The King (Sangakkara) is dead (seeing out his glittering playing career in a number of T20 competitions worldwide), long live the kids (the Surrey youth system).
Wait, what? Moneybags Surrey? The Surrey who have picked up South African duo Morne Morkel and Dean Elgar and have their eye on Indian superstar Virat Kohli for 2018? The ones with the brown hats and swagger? Actually producing players not buying in players? $$$urrey?
Yep. 
2018 is the Year of Youth for Surrey.
The sudden influx of youngsters has been partially thrust upon Surrey, with Zaf Ansari, Mark Footitt and Dom Sibley ending their times at the club mid-season, Matt Dunn spending extended time on the sidelines, and a severe loss of form from Scott Borthwick. However, credit must go to Michael Di Venuto for his work integrating a fine set of young players into Surrey's squad, and with all of them stepping up to the plate across the season. A maiden first-class hundred from Ollie Pope, a maiden 50 from Ryan Patel, Amar Virdi looking at home bowling to high-quality batsman, Connor McKerr tearing it up on a short-term loan at Derbyshire, and Sam Curran showed once again, if sporadically, why he’s considered one of the most talented young players in the country, all suggest that this squad has a good future. 
Two more academy players, Will Jacks and Gus Atkinson, have signed their first professional deals this winter. The strength of the young contingent at the Kia Oval is really shown by Euan Woods, who was at the under-19 World Cup with England, not having received a contract at the time of writing.
If Surrey are going to compete in all three formats, these youngsters are going to have to have to do some leg work this summer. 
In the Championship, Surrey’s core remains strong, but not having the best part of 1500 runs at an average of over 100 from Kumar Sangakkara will be sorely missed. Along with Jason Roy missing parts of the summer with England and the IPL, Sangakkara’s absence will put more pressure on Mark Stoneman, skipper Rory Burns and Ben Foakes, with places now up for grabs for younger players around them. An overseas batsman secured sooner rather than later would certainly help.
Stoneman’s potential England berth will hurt Surrey. Even if he is dropped by England, Mr Consistent Rory Burns should be in the running to replace him. With Mark Ramprakash calling for more batsmen to top 1,000 runs a year, having achieved the feat four times in four years, it remains a mystery to Surrey fans as to why he didn’t receive Lions recognition over the winter.
Surrey will be looking for a lot more out of Scott Borthwick: a player of his class surely can’t have two shocking seasons back-to-back. Ollie Pope will also be given a chance to cement his place at the start of the year, and Sam Curran looks to be in good touch with the bat in preseason.

Surrey’s real issue in red ball cricket will be taking 20 wickets a game. A very flat Kia Oval wicket, and a bowling attack that lacked a spearhead hindered Surrey significantly in 2017. No bowler took more than 25 wickets in the County Championship, with only Rikki Clarke and Footitt averaging under 30. Ten draws, two more than any other team, kept Surrey in the Division, but their third-place finish flattered the team somewhat. 

If Morne Morkel remains fit, Surrey will have a bowler who will be able to take wickets on flat decks. He will really need some support though if they are going to win more than just the two games they won in 2017.
2018 is probably a couple of seasons too early for Surrey to challenge for the County Championship. A mid-table finish would be a good result.
Surrey have competed well in white ball cricket over the past couple of years, but their lack of late-order hitting still hasn’t been resolved. This may provide an opportunity for the likes of the hard-hitting Will Jacks and the versatile Pope to really make a mark in coloured clothing.

In the RLODC, Sangakkara will again be missed. His hundreds against Northants, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire over the last two years were as good as any knocks as you will see. 
Ben Foakes was a revelation in the 50 over format, averaging 96 across the whole competition in 2017, and Mark Stoneman provided strong top order runs averaging 60, which included 144* in the final, only to be outdone by Alex Hales doing only things Alex Hales can do.
Dernbach (a much better bowler than when he was playing for England), Morkel, two Currans, Rikki Clarke and Gareth Batty makes for a strong a bowling line up as any. Don’t be surprised to see spinner Freddie van den Bergh getting some one-day game time as the club seeks to find a successor for Batty, who has turned 40 in the off-season and is in the last year of his contract.

Surrey will most likely go well in the Royal London One Day Cup on the back of their bowling, but without Sangakkara, reaching another final is unlikely.

Surrey’s Vitality Blast team again lacks lower-order hitting, something that Mitch Marsh would definitely have added. Aaron Finch is back to provide top-order pyrotechnics alongside Jason Roy, and the team’s bowling will be strong on slow Oval wickets. Like 2017, they should be targeting getting out of the group stages, but a second overseas batsman to replace Marsh is a necessity if they are going to achieve this. 

All-in-all 2018 will be a year of consolidation for Surrey. If the core of their current squad remains in South London, trophies could well be heading their way in the near future. 

Division: Two
Where? 1st Central County Ground, Hove, Brighton
Ins: Ishant Sharma (IND, 4th April - 4th June), Rashid Khan (AFG, first half of T20)
Outs: Steve Magoffin (Worcestershire), Chris Nash (Nottinghamshire), Ross Taylor (also Nottinghamshire)
Key Man: Jorfa Archer
Last Season: Championship (2nd Division): 4th, RLODC: 5th in south group, T20: 5th in south group
2018 Odds: ​Championship: 11/2, RLODC: 12/1, T20: 12/1



When both Chris Nash and Mark Davis left Sussex within a matter of days of each other it could quite easily have left many Sussex fans wondering what direction their team was headed. The era under Davis had largely been disappointing.

Those fears were eased however when Jason Gillespie was announced as the new coach. Gillespie is one of the most respected coaches in the game after he guided Yorkshire to back to back County Championships in 2014 & 2015. It came as a surprise to many as Gillespie’s future looked to be in his native Australia coaching in the Big Bash whilst many believed he would be the next Australia coach.

Things in the past month may have changed that certain destiny. Gillespie will be pleased to inherite a good crop of young Sussex seamers packed full of good potential and it is a bowling attack that has got the Sussex faithful excited, there is finally geniune competition for places. 

Jofra Archer truly announced himself on the world stage with an exceptional Big Bash. It made many including the British press to ask just who this young all-rounder was, although it came as no surprise to those who have witnessed his hard-hitting approach to both batting and bowling at Hove.

George Garton a young left-arm fast bowler is held in high esteem within England circles. If anyone can help him perform to the best of his ability it is Gillespie. There is still a rawness to Garton that in the right hands can not only help Sussex to future honours but also aid his ability to represent England.

Stuart Whittingham, the Scotland international is another young bowler Sussex will look to use and along with Ollie Robinson, there are enough enthusiastic bowlers to use in rotation.
Chuck Ishant Sharma and Chris Jordan into the mix and it certainly does look like a well-balanced bowling unit.

The spin department will again rely on Danny Briggs and Will Bear in the LV County Championship and Royal London One Day Cup. With Luke Wells now fit enough to bowl and Delray Rawlins an allrounder who can bowl spin and Sussex’s battery of fast bowlers it is conceivable that a specialist spinner will be seen as a luxury in the four-day competition.

Rashid Khan is one of those truly inspiring signings for the Vitality Blast. The theme of this Sussex side is one of youth. That isn’t to say that Khan lacks experience, although how the Afghanistan international adapts to English conditions remains to be seen. That hasn’t stopped him becoming one of the best bowlers in the world in the shortest format of the game.
One of the biggest concerns is the batting line-up that without the familiar figure of Nash looks short of experience. Wells was the leading run-scorer in Division Two last year and much will depend on him replicating that form.

If pre-season form is anything to go by then this could be the year that Luke Wright regains the aura that made opposing attacks fear. Relentless T20 cricket and the slog of county cricket along with the burden of captaincy took a noticeable toll on Wright who took a rest after the Big Bash to recover from little niggles that have stopped him from performing at his best.
It will be a big year for a number of batsmen who can establish themselves in the first-team. This year you feel is the year that Harry Finch finally establishes himself in the top order, he is highly thought of amongst the Sussex coaching staff but has yet to fully cement his place in the side.
The same could be said for Phil Salt and with Nash no longer around one of these two will be given every opportunity to become a fixture in the Sussex side for years to come. Tom Haines who has impressed in the second XI will be given the chance to add to his two first-class appearances.
The two South African Kolpack players Stiaan van Zyl and David Wiese add experience to the middle-order, and with Michael Burgess breaking through the middle-order looks in good shape. Burgess will also act as the backup wicketkeeper to Ben Brown who has been made club captain. 
Brown has played many important innings for Sussex in the last few years aided by a lower-order that has been able to rescue early batting collapses. Ever since Sussex were relegated to Division Two of the Championship they have faced some of the most competitive seasons of the division.

The strength of that was proven when Essex ran away with the Championship last year, in their first season in the top flight.
This year is no different. Middlesex and Warwickshire have experienced and talented squads that should both be looking to bounce straight back. Middlesex have retained the majority of the side that won the County Championship only the year before their relegation, whilst Warwickshire have players like Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott who should take the second tier by storm. 

If Gillespie gets the undoubted talent firing, then there is no reason why Sussex can’t push the favourites close. 
Hove is one of those venues that really embraces the T20 Blast to the maximum, and Sussex have the match winners in that format and with the signing of Khan they are going to be a tough team to beat in that format.

The Royal London One Day Cup is the competition where the biggest inconsistencies can be exposed, or with a young side that has a licence to go out and take the game to the opposition.
While it is still unclear just how good this side can be it will be certainly fun to watch. There is an air of optimism back amongst the Sussex faithful that this could truly be one of the best seasons on the south coast in quite a while. 

2018 Predictions:
County Championship: 2nd
T20: Q/F
RLODC: group stage

Division: One
Where? The Essex County Ground, Chelmsford
Ins: Matt Coles (Kent), Feroze Khushi (YTH), Peter Siddle (AUS, April – Mid May) Neil Wagner (NZ, Mid-May to end of July – with option of extending), Adam Zampa (AUS, T20)
Outs: Kishen Velani (REL)
Key Man: Simon Harmer
Last Season: County Championship: Winners, RLODC: Semi-finalist, T20: Q/F
2018 Odds: Championship: 4/1, RLODC: 14/1, T20: 12/1
 


Essex had waited 25 long years to get their hands back on the County Championship trophy, not since their golden era in the eighties has there been this much excitement around Chelmsford.
 
A lot can be compared now to that of the great teams in the eighties and early nineties. Essex has always prided itself on bringing through the brightest talents in the local area. In the 20th century, the Eagles had players like the great Graham Gooch, Ray East and the adopted favourite Essex son Keith Fletcher. Fast-forward to 2018 and they have a new crop of local stars in Jamie Porter, Nick Browne and their new adopted son Ryan Ten Doeschate hoping to lead them to a new golden period.
 
Credit must be given to Derek Bowden and Ronnie Irani who took the bull by the horns and made big changes to the mentality of this little county from the East of England. They saw that the club was stagnating in the Second Division under Paul Grayson and made the much called for change in leadership. Out went the former Essex opener to be replaced by his number two, Chris Silverwood, and the rest, as they say, is history. The Chelmsford-based club suddenly had a complete change in playing style, there were no more cautious decisions on the outfield and with some shrewd signings, the club are back where they historically belong.
 
It was always going to prove key to keep hold of the core group that has taken Essex to the ‘next level’. There were plenty of murmurings around the County Ground that Surrey were sniffing around Dan Lawerence and it wouldn’t surprise me to hear that the ‘bigger counties’ are starting to look at Jamie Porter too given his incredible breakthrough season in Division One. Perhaps though the fact that Lawrence ignored the glitz and the glamour of the Surrey dressing room shows how far the club has come. There is a real togetherness in the camp and with the supporters, and that was always going to be the key going into their defence of their newly held crown.
 
The only major blow for the club was the departure of the man that orchestrated Essex’s revival, Chris Silverwood, many expected his departure the minute the England Bowling coaching job came about, and it was quite fitting for the Eagles to wrap up their memorable season by finishing unbeaten and hammering his former county Yorkshire in that final game week.
 
His departure will be felt for sure though, many players grew under him as coach but what Bowden and Irani will hope is that the style and mentality won’t be hugely affected given the fact Anthony Mcgrath was part of that wonderful journey to where they are today. It is important that McGrath stamps his own authority on the camp whilst keeping things similar to the previous regime.
 
He will of course, like Silverwood was, be heavily reliant on two of Essex’s biggest weapons, Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer. The pair combined to lethal effect last summer collecting 148 wickets between them, as the Eagles ripped through sides time-after-time to claim big wins.
 
Porter’s story is perhaps one of the warmest in County Cricket. The Leytonstone-born seamer was about to turn his back on cricket when he was spotted by Essex’s chief scout Barry Hyam playing for Chingford. Two years later, back-to-back title-winning seasons and a tour to the Carribean with the England Lions it is safe to say he loves the game of cricket once again. He will be crucial again for the Eagles as he looks to continue his fine form with half an eye on taking over from James Anderson in a couple of years in the England set-up.
 
If you talk to many at Essex they will tell you that Harmer was the missing link that the club have been crying out for a long time. A man that can hold up an end and look constantly dangerous throughout. Porter claims his partner in crime is the best spinner in the county circuit and you’d be foolish to argue with him given his 72-wicket haul from his first season in county cricket.
 
The big shoes of the departure of Mohammed Amir have been left with Aussie Peter Siddle who will be joining the Eagles this week for the first six games of the Championship season. Essex will see this a big coup and after years of chasing the fierce quick and they have finally got their man. He will offer something different to the Essex attack, much like Amir did. He will show heart, spirit and will be a man that will run through brick walls for the side. Neil Wagner will replace Siddle in May, Wags as he is affectionally known around the County Ground was a popular signing after making such an impact last season at the club. Whilst he didn’t pull up any trees, he was Mr. Reliable and played a massive role in the dressing room helping young Aaron Beard and Sam Cook master their trade. If Wagner can produce half the level of skill he showed in the recent Test match series in New Zealand against England he will prove to be another very astute resigning from the Eagles.
 
Joining Siddle in the dressing room for the first time will be Matt Coles; the former Hampshire and Kent man has crossed the Dartford tunnel to join the Champions. It was a curious signing for the Eagles giving his somewhat bad boy reputation, but if any county can get the best out of Coles it is Essex. Jesse Ryder came with a similar reputation a few years ago but his reputation was soon forgotten about as the tight-knit dressing room welcomed him with open arms and he soon became one of the boys. Essex will hope that Coles will fall into that category too as he certainly offers white-ball guile as well as hard hitting down the order. Perhaps a nod to what Essex are aiming to become this season under new assistant Dimitri Mascarenhas, the former Hampshire all-rounder has developed quite the reputation of being an excellent white-bowl coach and his appointment, to me at least, seems like the club are wanting to become a unit that can fire in all competitions.
So what will 2018 bring for the reigning Champions? Can they retain their title or will they be the next Middlesex and go down straight after the highest of highs? Last year Ten Doeschate’s men came from no-where to absolutely dominate the top flight, even the most biased of Essex fans didn’t see that coming. They will be hard pushed to repeat the feat that took them to glory. They will, of course, have goals, firstly to get enough points on the board to keep their heads above water, and then who knows. It will be a fiercely competitive league this year and being title-holders they are there to be shot at. They will no longer have that element of surprise they perhaps carried last summer, but the bowling attack is strong enough to take 20-wickets consistently it is just whether the batting line-up can set them up consistently enough.
 
As for the white-ball game, the Eagles will hope that Adam Zampa (signed for the entirety of the T20 campaign) will offer them that element of mystery, and the newly acquired white-ball skill of Coles will offer them another wicket taking option at the top of the innings. T20 has always been the competition to elude Essex and they will want to put that right this summer under the tutelage of Mascarenhas.
 
Perhaps though, their best chance of white-ball success will come in the Royal London One-Day Cup, I feel as though the Eagles batting line-up is more suited to the longer formats of limited overs cricket. Essex’s line-up is more about craft and subtlety than the brute force and strength that T20 requires. They’ll qualify out of the group in the 50-over competition but they’ll have to get over their Knockout stage hoodoo to give their fans a trip to any sort of limited overs final.
 
2018 Predictions:
County Championship: 3rd
T20: Q/F
RLODC: S/F