Can anyone depose champions Sussex?
When I woke up to the smattering of snow on the ground at the weekend, one of my first thoughts was: "It has to be the start of the cricket season" and so it is, with the English domestic campaigns getting under way on Wednesday, with Sussex hoping to rem
Simon Cambers
06-Apr-2008
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When I woke up to the smattering of snow on the ground at the weekend, one of my first thoughts was: "It has to be the start of the cricket season" and so it is, with the English domestic campaigns getting under way on Wednesday week, with Sussex hoping to remain top of the tree but Durham leading the chasing pack.
As it always is, the team who win the County Championship is usually the one who has a combination of experience and youth, some players on the fringe of the England team who won't be called away too much and some overseas class.
You don't want too many England players in your side as because of Central Contracts, you just won't see them too many times in county colours. Somerset, therefore, will have been delighted when Marcus Trescothick decided to call it a day for England.
Likewise, Durham will benefit from having Steve Harmison for the first few weeks of the season, while Kumar Sangakkara will help Warwickshire, Pakistan bowler Umar Gul is in the Gloucestershire line-up and Australian Justin Langer will hope to lead Somerset to promotion.
So, who's going to come out on top? Well, to help you decide, here are some profiles of the nine Division One sides, with up to date prices.
DURHAM
Any team that has Shivnarine Chanderpaul in it has a chance, but Durham have extra riches this season with the arrival of South African pair Neil McKenzie and Albie Morkel. That should help to compensate for the loss of Ottis Gibson's whose 80 wickets did so much to help them to finish runners-up last season. Graham Onions has emerged as a decent bowler and much will depend on the efforts of Steve Harmison. The paceman wants to get his England place back but is free to play for his county for at least the first month. he seems so much more relaxed for his county and if he can repeat his efforts of the first part of last season, then he, Onions and Liam Plunkett will make a formidable attack.
Odds: 7/2 (4.00)
Any team that has Shivnarine Chanderpaul in it has a chance, but Durham have extra riches this season with the arrival of South African pair Neil McKenzie and Albie Morkel. That should help to compensate for the loss of Ottis Gibson's whose 80 wickets did so much to help them to finish runners-up last season. Graham Onions has emerged as a decent bowler and much will depend on the efforts of Steve Harmison. The paceman wants to get his England place back but is free to play for his county for at least the first month. he seems so much more relaxed for his county and if he can repeat his efforts of the first part of last season, then he, Onions and Liam Plunkett will make a formidable attack.
Odds: 7/2 (4.00)
HAMPSHIRE
How do you get over the loss of someone like Shane Warne? The Australian's decision to retire from all cricket was a massive blow for Hampshire where not only was his play so important, but where his captaincy and influence had such a galvanising effect. Veteran spinner Shaun Udal has also gone and it seems that Hampshire could go through something of a rebuilding phase from now on, though in Kevin Pietersen they have someone who could play a role in making them a threat in the one-day competitions, if not the Championship. Odds: 8/1
How do you get over the loss of someone like Shane Warne? The Australian's decision to retire from all cricket was a massive blow for Hampshire where not only was his play so important, but where his captaincy and influence had such a galvanising effect. Veteran spinner Shaun Udal has also gone and it seems that Hampshire could go through something of a rebuilding phase from now on, though in Kevin Pietersen they have someone who could play a role in making them a threat in the one-day competitions, if not the Championship. Odds: 8/1
KENT
Kent's season could depend on how much Robert Key is available to play for them as their captain could yet be in demand for a recall to the England side. If he is around, then he is a prolific runscorer in the county arena and they will be a decent side. I have my doubts about their strength in depth, while though Pakistan player Yasir Arafat is talented, he may not be on a par with the overseas players available to some of the other sides. Odds: 12/1
Kent's season could depend on how much Robert Key is available to play for them as their captain could yet be in demand for a recall to the England side. If he is around, then he is a prolific runscorer in the county arena and they will be a decent side. I have my doubts about their strength in depth, while though Pakistan player Yasir Arafat is talented, he may not be on a par with the overseas players available to some of the other sides. Odds: 12/1
LANCASHIRE
Could this be Lancashire's season. Captained by Stuart Law, who must love county cricket so good is his record, they have brought in Brad Hodge, who is a fine player. The loss of Muttiah Muralitharan is an obvious blow, but with Andrew Flintoff maybe available more than in recent years, at least for the first month, they have the depth of talent you need to succeed. Odds: 4/1
Could this be Lancashire's season. Captained by Stuart Law, who must love county cricket so good is his record, they have brought in Brad Hodge, who is a fine player. The loss of Muttiah Muralitharan is an obvious blow, but with Andrew Flintoff maybe available more than in recent years, at least for the first month, they have the depth of talent you need to succeed. Odds: 4/1
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Promoted from Division Two last year, it will be interesting to see how they kick on this season. Chris Read will again captain the side and since there seems no likelihood of him getting back into the England side in the forseeable future, the nation's loss is Nottinghamshire's gain. David Hussey, the brother of Mike and Adam Voges are the overseas players, while the signing of Stuart Broad to his dad's old club could prove to be a masterstroke, if he gets to play enough. That said, the loss of Stephen Fleming is a blow and they will be happy to stay up. Odds: 12/1
Promoted from Division Two last year, it will be interesting to see how they kick on this season. Chris Read will again captain the side and since there seems no likelihood of him getting back into the England side in the forseeable future, the nation's loss is Nottinghamshire's gain. David Hussey, the brother of Mike and Adam Voges are the overseas players, while the signing of Stuart Broad to his dad's old club could prove to be a masterstroke, if he gets to play enough. That said, the loss of Stephen Fleming is a blow and they will be happy to stay up. Odds: 12/1
SOMERSET
The Division Two winners get their chance to impress and with Justin Langer captaining a side that will include Marcus Trescothick throughout after his retirement from international cricket, they look a decent outfit. They perhaps don't have the strength in depth of some of the others but they should not be underestimated. Odds: 10/1
The Division Two winners get their chance to impress and with Justin Langer captaining a side that will include Marcus Trescothick throughout after his retirement from international cricket, they look a decent outfit. They perhaps don't have the strength in depth of some of the others but they should not be underestimated. Odds: 10/1
SURREY
When you have someone like Mark Ramprakash in your ranks, who knows what you can achieve? The former England batsman is in the form of his life and though it won't win him an England recall, the prospect of making 2000 runs in county cricket for a third straight season will surely act as a massive spur. Captained by another former England man, Mark Butcher, and having snaffled Saqlain Mushtaq from Sussex, the look well-equipped for a title challenge. Odds: 7/1
When you have someone like Mark Ramprakash in your ranks, who knows what you can achieve? The former England batsman is in the form of his life and though it won't win him an England recall, the prospect of making 2000 runs in county cricket for a third straight season will surely act as a massive spur. Captained by another former England man, Mark Butcher, and having snaffled Saqlain Mushtaq from Sussex, the look well-equipped for a title challenge. Odds: 7/1
SUSSEX
Can the champions retain their title? Few would bet against them, not least after the news that the brilliant Mushtaq Ahmed is there again as their overseas player. The loss of Saqlain to rivals Surrey is a blow, but captain Chris Adams, in his penultimate season, will be hoping to retain their supremacy. Having won the title three times in five seasons, they clearly know how to get the job done, so don't be surprised if they go close again. Odds: 4/1
Can the champions retain their title? Few would bet against them, not least after the news that the brilliant Mushtaq Ahmed is there again as their overseas player. The loss of Saqlain to rivals Surrey is a blow, but captain Chris Adams, in his penultimate season, will be hoping to retain their supremacy. Having won the title three times in five seasons, they clearly know how to get the job done, so don't be surprised if they go close again. Odds: 4/1
YORKSHIRE
Hell hath no fury like a Yorkshireman scorned, and Matthew Hoggard will be itching to show the England selectors they were wrong to drop him in New Zealand this winter. That can only be to Yorkshire's benefit, and with Darren Gough still going and the arrival of Morne Morkel, they could be a considerable threat. What they need most of all is runs, so there will be plenty of pressure on the top order. Odds: 17/2
Hell hath no fury like a Yorkshireman scorned, and Matthew Hoggard will be itching to show the England selectors they were wrong to drop him in New Zealand this winter. That can only be to Yorkshire's benefit, and with Darren Gough still going and the arrival of Morne Morkel, they could be a considerable threat. What they need most of all is runs, so there will be plenty of pressure on the top order. Odds: 17/2
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
Simon Cambers is Cricinfo's betting correspondent