Kohli, Sanga, Dhoni et al have yet to complete the World T20 championship and the interminable IPL hasn't even begun. However, I eagerly anticipate the start of the classic, the oldest and best tournament of all: the County Championship. The domestic cricket summer in England has a different look about it this year, but the first-class game kicks off this weekend.
It's such a difficult one to predict, far more even than a T20. Three seasons ago, Lancashire came from nowhere to win it, then they were relegated, and in 2013 they stormed back into the top flight. Will they continue their recent yo-yo form? I doubt it. Veteran skipper Glen Chapple will do his utmost to prevent that occurrence, and he has the players to do it. The arrival of Jos Buttler annoyed this Somerset fan, and it will be interesting to see if the Taunton favourite steps up to the plate with gloves and bat in the Championship before niternational one-day duty calls. Ashwell Prince contributed heavily last year but the other batsmen need to back him up and support the excellent bowling attack, including Hogg and Kerrigan.
Champions Durham are unlikely to win, although most people, myself included, said the same this time last year! Nevertheless, some seasoned campaigners have moved on, and young guns Ben Stokes and Scott Borthwick may play for England. If Graeme Onions stays fit, but beyond the myopic range of selectors, Durham will always be a force at home. Nottinghamshire must again be competitive in the Championship, but their impressive line-up of internationals rarely translates into domestic success because of those dreaded international call-ups. Hales, Lumb, Broad, Samit Patel and James Taylor could all be missing at some point, but the likes of captain-keeper Chris Read, Mullaney, Wessels and the evergreen Andre Adams should be present and correct, bolstered (eventually) by Aussies Peter Siddle and Phil Jacques.
Yorkshire, too, have a squad to be reckoned with. They will hope Jonny Bairstow gets the chance of a decent run in the side in April at least, and he struck a fine century in the university warm-up match this week. Gary Ballance will surely play for England this summer, which means that Lyth, Lees and Gale will have to provide plenty of runs at the top, alongside Kane Williamson when available. 30-something seamers Liam Plunkett and Ryan Sidebottom will be ably supported by relative youngsters Jack Brooks and Steve Patterson, and Adil Rashid and fit-again Azeem Rafiq are first-class spinners in any format. They threw the title away last year but will they do it again?
Sussex finished third in 2013 but it could have been so much better. In a see-saw season, they slipped up in August but definitely have a chance of claiming the Pennant. Chris Nash will be absent ill at the start, but with Luke Wells, Michael Yardy and Matt Machan there are other sources of runs. Steve Magoffin has been one of the most consistent and economical seamers of recent years and, with Anyon and Liddle, will take plenty of wickets. Matt Prior may enjoy some batting practice in April, too. I fear that a Somerset in transition could suffer again this year. WE need the old Marcus Trescothick back, and Craig Kieswetter available for selection. Nick Compton, James Hildreth and overseas signing Alviro Petersen should score plenty, but the very young bowling line-up need to mature quickly. The Overton twins have so much potential, but can they progress and stay healthy?
Middlesex probably don't have enough all-round firepower but promoted Northants are on a roll after a tremendous 2013 in all competitions. T20 champions, they all performed well as individuals and a team, but David Willey's injured back must be a concern. All-rounder Steven Crook was a revelation last year in the Championship, but there is no Trent Copeland this summer. Even if Stephen Peters stays injury-free, I think a drop back into Division Two is not impossible.
So, a brave stab in the dark for Mystic Mike, who says Yorkshire or Notts for the title, and Somerset and Northants for relegation.
