I had been beginning to think that the 18-team County Championship was finally turning into a genuine two-tier affair, with the richest cream rising to the top and staying there, while the rest battled it out for the other places in Division One. Then, last season, reigning champs Lancashire were consigned to second tier obscurity to turn county cricket on its head. Mind you, with three different formats currently co-existing, any of the teams have a great opportunity to win some silverware. Except Somerset, that is, who must have a cabinet full of runners-up prizes!
Leicestershire pip0ped them to the T20 title two years ago, but the Foxes are once again likely to be struggling to avoid last place in the first-class tournament. Last season they just managed to avoid that ignominy, as Gloucestershire sank like a stone. In 2013, both will have overseas players as club captains. Ramnaresh Sarwan provided both style and solidity to the batting line-up last year and is a welcome returnee alongside the likes of Josh Cobb and 'keeper Ned Eckersley. Unless Matthew Hoggard can conjure up some of the old magic, I don't know where the wickets will come from. Similarly for Gloucestershire, where Aussie Michael Klinger has been parachuted in as skipper. Much will rest on him and the shoulders of both Gidman brothers Will and Alex.
Glamorgan will surely struggle, although their Cardiff base will be in the spotlight during the Champions Trophy. I'm quite fond of the Swalec but now Robert Croft has retired and James Harris abandoned Wales for the bright city lights of London, they will find life even harder. However, Murray Goodwin has switched from Sussex to add experience and runs, and Marcus North is the international star in first-class cricket. Skipper Mark Wallace needs to score consistently as well as keep wicket, but much will rely on all-rounder James Allenby.
Last year, promotion hopefuls Northamptonshire suffered a dreadful collapse in the second half of the campaign, failing to register a single win after May. Stephen Peters adds captaincy to opening the batting and let's hope the dual burden isn't too onerous. His predecessor Andrew Hall has been a great servant in recent years with bat and ball, but the talented seamer Jack Brooks has gone to Yorkshire and Chaminda Vaas to retirement. Trent Copeland needs to take wickets to get the county moving early on, but the likes of Daggett and Middlebrook require more support if Northants are to challenge for promotion.
Essex, Kent and last year's one-day kings Hampshire must be in with a good shout of advancing from mid-table mediocrity. The former welcome Aussie Opener Ed Quiney for a few months, and Ravi Bopara, young Reece Topley and not so young Sajid Mahmood and David Masters are players to watch. Graham Napier also has the all-round ability to prove he is not a T20 one-trick pony. James Tredwell replaces Robert Key as Kent captain, and they also boast some good young players like Sam Northeast and Matt Coles. 20 year-old batsman Fabian Cowdrey keeps the Kent and Tonbridge public school dynasty flowing. Hampshire surely can't stay in Division Two beyond 2013. They simply have too many talented players not to return to the top flight. George Bailey and, later in the summer, Saeed Ajmal bolster their ranks and should perform well alongside Jimmy Adams, Liam Dawson, Michael Carberry et al. I just hope they let Somerset get a look-in during the one-day competitions.
So what about last year's relegated counties? Poor Worcestershire were always doomed, not helped by having their home ground under water for seemingly ages. Sri Lankan batsman Thilan Samaraweera has been drafted in to provide runs in place of long-time servant Vikram Solanki. Last year, Moeen Ali added wickets to his runs and his contribution will again be vital if Worcester are to bounce straight back up. As for Lancashire, Glen Chapple may be in his 40th year but he will be determined to lead his side back to the top tier. Simon Katich should be a reliable batsman, hopefully bringing the best out of Stephen Moore and Paul Horton. Another 30-something, Ashwell Prince is hoped to play as a Kolpak signing. No Mahmood or Keedy this year, but Kabir Ali comes in, and Simon Kerrigan will shoulder more spin bowling responsibilities. Luke Procter, Tom Smith and Wayne White need to push on to assist the promotion challenge.
My predictions: Hampshire and Lancashire for promotion, Glamorgan or Leicestershire for the 'wooden spoon'.
Let the fun and games begin!
