Middlesex 8/1 for Championship title

They gave a great account of themselves until a late-season slump in 2013 but Middlesex have all the armoury required of a team to challenge for the County Championship title and 8/1 looks a little big about Angus Fraser's side to take the title this season.

To win first-class matches 20 wickets are required and Middlesex have a fine bowling unit - arguably the best in the country. If Steven Finn returns to form he can spearhead an attack that can also boast England Lions seamer James Harris, the highly-rated Toby Rolland-Jones and their leading wicket-taker from the past few campaigns, Tim Murtagh.

Such weaponry with the ball needs runs behind it and in Chris Rogers Middlesex have the leading runscorer in first-class cricket in England from last season. Add in the performance of potential England Test opener Sam Robson and the potential for the likes of Neil Dexter and Joe Denly to improve and you piece together an excellent team, for which 8/1 looks inviting.