2004 COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE

LANCASHIRE (2003 - County Championship: Runners-up in Division One; National League: Winners of Division Two, promoted; C&G Trophy: Semi-finalists; Twenty20: Group losers)

Captain: Warren Hegg

Coach: Mike Watkinson

Overseas players: Carl Hooper (WI), Stuart Law (Aus)

Ins: Dominic Cork (Derbyshire), Paul Horton, Oliver Newby

Outs: None

Prospects: The most settled squad in the country boasts a much-feared pair of overseas batsmen, an established captain-coach axis and a new face with something to prove and ability to do so in Dominic Cork. It looks a potent mixture, particularly with the emerging all-round talent of Sajid Mahmood and a reliable top order geared to crease occupation around Hooper and Law. If Lancashire can avoid the north-west rain and the traditional slow start which accompanies it they are surely favourites to take Sussex's title.

DERBYSHIRE (2003 - County Championship: 9th in Division Two; National League: 6th in Division Two; C&G Trophy: Semi-finalists; Twenty20: Group losers)

Captain: Luke Sutton

Coach: David Houghton

Overseas players: Jonathon Moss (Aus), Chris Rogers (Aus)

Ins: James Bryant (Somerset), Hassan Adnan, Paul Havell, Anthony Botha, Chris Rogers, Jonathon Moss, Nick Walker, JR Chapman

Outs: Dominic Cork (Lancashire), Jason Kerr, Karl Krikken, Lian Wharton

Prospects: Best-laid plans have already hit major stumbling blocks with the long-term injuries to Australians Michael Di Venuto and Damien Wright. Tasmanian Di Venuto was to be the lynchpin of a post-Dominic Cork era, in charge on the field under the coaching stewardship of the canny Dave Houghton. Last-minute changes have been forced upon a team who will at least be able to gauge any improvement from a very low base, having finished bottom of Division Two in the championship last season.



DURHAM (2003 - County Championship: 6th in Division Two; National League: 7th in Division Two; C&G Trophy: Round four; Twenty20: Group losers)

Captain: Jon Lewis

Coach: Martyn Moxon

Overseas players: Shoaib Akhtar (Pak), Herschelle Gibbs (SA), Reon King (WI), Marcus North (Aus)

Ins: Gareth Breese, Herschelle Gibbs, Shoaib Akhtar, Gavin Hamilton (Yorkshire), Reon King

Outs: Michael Gough, Ian Hunter, Nicky Hatch, Nicky Phillips, Danny Law, Ashley Thorpe, Chris Mann, Vince Wells, Martin Love, Dewald Pretorious (Warwickshire)

Prospects: Gibbs and Shoaib are mercurial, potential match-winners with bat and ball respectively. Either could propel Durham to notable success against just about anyone in the one-day competitions. Significant progress in the longer game may still be some way off for a squad still developing under Martyn Moxon and which has undergone plenty of winter pruning.



ESSEX (2003 - County Championship: 7th in Division One, relegated; National League: 3rd in Division One; C&G Trophy: Round four; Twenty20: Group losers)

Captain: Ronnie Irani

Coach: Graham Gooch

Overseas players: Scott Brant (Zim), Danish Kaneria (Pak)

Ins: Danish Kaneria, Darren Gough (Yorkshire)

Outs: Jon Dakin (Leicestershire), Darren Robinson (Leicestershire), Nick Denning, Joe Grant, Andrew McGarry, Barry Hyam

Prospects: Starting to look like a yo-yo club in the two-division era. It was lack of bowling firepower which cost them dear last summer, and Essex need Gough to be revitalised and Kaneria's signing to prove shrewd if they are to start bowling sides out again.



GLAMORGAN (2003 - County Championship: 5th in Division Two; National League: 5th in Division One; C&G Trophy: Round four; Twenty20: Group losers)

Captain: Robert Croft

Coach: John Derrick

Overseas players: Matthew Elliott (Aus), Mike Kasprowicz (Aus)

Ins: Matthew Elliott

Outs: Owen Parkin, Steve James, Jimmy Maher

Prospects: Overseas pair Elliott and Kasprowicz may not immediately catch the eye. But fitness permitting, the two Aussies are guaranteed to churn out a welter of runs and wickets and will give Glamorgan a start on most of their Division Two opposition. Promotion is a possibility and would be a proud achievement for stalwarts such as Croft and Matthew Maynard.



GLOUCESTERSHIRE (2003 - County Championship: 3rd in Division Two, promoted; National League: Runners-up in Division One; C&G Trophy: Winners; Twenty20: Semi-finalists)

Captain: Chris Taylor

Coach: Mark Alleyne

Overseas players: Shabbir Ahmed (Pak), Shoaib Malik (Pak)

Ins: Stephen Adshead (Leicestershire), Shabbir Ahmed

Outs: Stephen Pope, Jonty Rhodes, Ian Harvey (Yorkshire)

Prospects: Alleyne will mix the roles of coach and limited-overs captain as he seeks county championship consolidation to add to Gloucestershire's astounding run of success in the shorter game in recent years. The choice of Taylor as captain and fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed's arrival are both bold moves. If Gloucestershire stay up at the first time of asking that alone will constitute a successful season.



HAMPSHIRE (2003 - County Championship: 8th in Division Two; National League: 3rd in Division Two, promoted; C&G Trophy: Round three; Twenty20: Group losers)

Captain: Shane Warne

Coach: Tim Tremlett

Overseas players: Michael Clarke (Aus), Shane Warne (Aus), Shane Watson (Aus)

Ins: Michael Brown (Middlesex), Shane Warne, Billy Taylor (Sussex), Michael Clarke, Greg Lamb, Kevin Latouf

Outs: John Francis (Somerset), Robin Smith, Alex Morris, Iain Brunnschweiler, Ed Giddins, Charles van der Gucht, Chaminda Vaas, Simon Katich

Prospects: Warne's return as captain will attract huge attention, and he and Hampshire must hope it proves to be for all the right reasons this time. Notwithstanding the presence of the master leg-spinner, the current Hampshire squad looks Division Two standard.



KENT (2003 - County Championship: 4th in Division One; National League: 6th in Division One; C&G Trophy: Round four; Twenty20: Group losers)

Captain: David Fulton

Coach: Simon Willis

Overseas players: Mohammad Sami (Pak), Andrew Symonds (Aus)

Ins: Niall O'Brien, Robert Joseph, Joseph Denly, David Stiff (Yorkshire)

Outs: James Hewitt, Ian Flanagan, Matthew Banes, Mark Ealham (Nottinghamshire), Peter Trego

Prospects: Fulton carries many good wishes in his continued rehabilitation following his serious eye injury. Sami can blow hot or cold, but Aussie all-rounder Symonds is an increasingly safe bet to produce the goods. Overall, Kent will do well to repeat last season's fourth place in the championship but have prospects of an improved limited-overs showing.



LEICESTERSHIRE (2003 - County Championship: 9th in Division One, relegated; National League: 7th in Division One, relegated; C&G Trophy: Quarter-finalists; Twenty20: Semi-finalists)

Captain: Phil DeFreitas

Coach: Phil Whitticase

Overseas players: Brad Hodge (Aus), Garnett J-P Kruger (SA)

Ins: Jon Dakin (Essex), Garnett J-P Kruger, Darren Robinson (Essex), Nick Ferraby, Claude Henderson, Ottis Gibson, Chris Liddle

Outs: Devon Malcolm, Trevor Ward, Jamie Grove, Matt Whiley, Luke Wright (Sussex), Rupesh Amin, Rob Cunliffe, Virender Sehwag, Vasbert Drakes

Prospects: A winter of budget buys leaves the two Phils little to work with as they bid to bounce back from last summer's double relegation. Leicestershire will do well to stay competitive and clear of the bottom end of Division Two, particularly in the championship.



MIDDLESEX (2003 - County Championship: 6th in Division One; National League: 4th in Division Two; C&G Trophy: Quarter-finalists; Twenty20: Group losers)

Captain: Andrew Strauss

Coach: John Emburey

Overseas players: Nantie Hayward (SA), Lance Klusener (SA)

Ins: Melvyn Betts (Warwickshire), Paul Hutchison (Sussex), Chris Peploe, Boyd Rankin, Eoin Morgan, Ben Scott (Surrey), Chris Whelan, Lance Klusener, Nantie Hayward (Worcestershire)

Outs: David Alleyne (Nottinghamshire), Michael Brown (Hampshire), Alan Coleman, Ben Gannon, David Holt, Thos Hunt (Somerset), Robin Weston, Joe Dawes, Ashley Noffke, Abdul Razzaq

Prospects: South African and Irish accents will bounce around Lord's, with Johannesburg-born Strauss calling the tune. The captain himself has a big summer ahead as he bids to break into the England team - as well as getting the most out of an intriguingly assembled and talented county squad. The arrivals of Hayward and Klusener raise the prospects of success on all fronts for Middlesex.



NORTHAMPTONSHIRE (2003 - County Championship: Runners-up in Division Two, promoted; National League: Runners-up in Division Two, promoted; C&G Trophy: Round three; Twenty20: Group losers)

Captain: David Sales

Coach: Kepler Wessels

Overseas players: Johann Louw (SA), Martin van Jaarsveld (SA)

Ins: Steffan Jones (Somerset), Usman Afzaal (Nottinghamshire), Johann Louw, Martin van Jaarsveld

Outs: Tony Penberthy, John Blain (Yorkshire), David Paynter, Tom Baker, Matt Cassar, Darren Cousins, Phil Jaques, Mike Hussey, Andre Nel

Prospects: The departure of Hussey leaves behind a small squad under a rookie captain with a huge task to keep his team up following their double promotion.



NOTTINGHAMSHIRE (2003 - County Championship: 8th in Division One, relegated; National League: 5th in Division Two; C&G Trophy: Round four; Twenty20: Group losers)

Captain: Jason Gallian

Coach: Mick Newell

Overseas players: David Hussey (Aus), Stuart MacGill (Aus), Damien Martyn (Aus)

Ins: Mark Ealham (Kent), Anurag Singh (Worcestershire), David Alleyne (Middlesex), Ryan Sidebottom (Yorkshire), David Hussey, Damien Martyn

Outs: Usman Afzaal (Northamptonshire), David Lucas, Nadeem Malik (Worcestershire), Vikram Atri, Wayne Noon, Stephen Randall, Guy Welton, Chris Cairns

Prospects: Chastened by immediate relegation last season, Notts have responded by recruiting well. Harmony appears to have broken out between the club and rising star Kevin Pietersen, who has taken the English game by storm and will be out to impress all over again in his final summer of Test qualification. Ealham in particular is the type of bowler sure to prosper at Trent Bridge, and Notts have fair prospects of bouncing back up again.



SOMERSET (2003 - County Championship: 7th in Division Two, relegated; National League: 9th in Division Two; C&G Trophy: Round four; Twenty20: Group losers)

Captain: Michael Burns

Coach: Kevin Shine

Overseas players: Jamie Cox (Aus), Nixon McLean (WI), Ricky Ponting (Aus)

Ins: John Francis (Hampshire), Ricky Ponting, Thos Hunt (Middlesex)

Outs: Steffan Jones (Northamptonshire), Matthew Bulbeck, James Bryant, Piran Holloway, Joe Tucker

Prospects: Even if Ponting's availability is restricted he is sure to make a stack of runs down at Taunton, where the record books may take a battering if he slips into gear against Division Two attacks. The remainder of the Somerset squad have under-achieved of late - and with Andrew Caddick back in harness and already talking an exceptionally good game, they ought to be able to put things right.



SURREY (2003 - County Championship: 3rd in Division One; National League: Winners of Division One; C&G Trophy: Quarter-finalists; Twenty20: Inaugural winners)

Captain: Jon Batty

Coach: Steve Rixon

Overseas players: Azhar Mahmood (Pak), Saqlain Mushtaq (Pak)

Ins: Andrew Hodd (Sussex), Daniel Miller, Neil Saker

Outs: Alec Stewart, Ian Ward (Sussex), Ben Scott (Middlesex)

Prospects: Last summer's war on four fronts saw Surrey fall short in the competition they presumably wanted most. A transitional period appears inevitable following the departures of coach Keith Medlycott and mainstays Alec Stewart and Ian Ward. Surrey still have a squad brimming with international pedigree - but if Jon Batty is going to keep wicket, open the batting and captain the side he will deserve three medals should the Londoners win anything this summer.



SUSSEX (2003 - County Championship: Winners of Division One; National League: 8th in Division Two; C&G Trophy: Round four; Twenty20: Group losers)

Captain: Chris Adams

Coach: Peter Moores

Overseas players: Mushtaq Ahmed (Pak), Murray Goodwin (Zim)

Ins: Ian Ward (Surrey), Jason Voros, Mohammad Akram, Luke Wright (Leicestershire)

Outs: Paul Hutchison (Middlesex), Billy Taylor (Hampshire), Bas Zuiderent, Shaun Rashid

Prospects: Sussex will soon be a lot wiser about their prospects of retaining a county championship title they won for the first time last summer. They begin their campaign against heavyweights Surrey and then face likely championship favourites Lancashire, followed by a trip to take on Division Two champions Worcestershire. Ward still harbours Test aspirations and should be a prize asset, while the returns of both Mushtaq and Goodwin are key to Sussex's chances. Adams and Moores will have high hopes again but should be well aware everyone will be ready for them this time.



WARWICKSHIRE (2003 - County Championship: 5th in Division One; National League: 4th in Division One; C&G Trophy: Quarter-finalists; Twenty20: Finalists)

Captain: Nick Knight

Coach: John Inverarity

Overseas players: Brad Hogg (Aus), Dewald Pretorius (SA), Heath Streak (Zim)

Ins: Brad Hogg, Heath Streak, Dewald Pretorius

Outs: Melvyn Betts (Middlesex), Neil Smith, Mo Sheikh, Collins Obuya, Waqar Younis

Prospects: Big seasons await Knight as captain, Michael Powell back in the ranks and England aspirants Ian Bell and Jim Troughton. Heath Streak's availability is likely to be fleeting, but he can be counted on to make the most of his second opportunity to play county cricket. Warwickshire look set for another season of solid achievement.



WORCESTERSHIRE (2003 - County Championship: Winners of Division Two, promoted; National League: 9th in Division One, relegated; C&G Trophy: Finalists; Twenty20: Group losers)

Captain: Ben Smith

Coach: Tom Moody

Overseas players: Andy Bichel (Aus), Andrew Hall (SA)

Ins: Nadeem Malik (Nottinghamshire), Shaftab Khalid, Andy Bichel

Outs: Anurag Singh (Nottinghamshire), Chris Liptrot, Jonathan Farrow, Chris Guest, Daryl Mitchell, Nantie Hayward (Middlesex)

Prospects: Worcestershire have been improving steadily under Tom Moody. Promotion might easily have come sooner but may have arrived at the right time. This is one squad which should not be hit too hard by international calls but nonetheless has its fair share of talent. Smith's side ought to fare best of the sides who have moved up a grade.



YORKSHIRE (2003 - County Championship: 4th in Division Two; National League: 8th in Division Two, relegated; C&G Trophy: Round four; Twenty20: Group losers)

Captain: Craig White

Coach: David Byas

Overseas players: Ian Harvey (Aus), Darren Lehmann (Aus)

Ins: Darren Lehmann, Ian Harvey (Gloucestershire), John Blain (Northamptonshire)

Outs: Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire), Gavin Hamilton (Durham), Gary Fellows, Scott Richardson, Pieter Swanepoel, Darren Gough (Essex), Stephen Fleming, Yuvraj Singh

Prospects: Another eventful winter for cricket's longest-running and least credible soap opera. White has spent his career away from the pressures of captaincy only to inherit perhaps the toughest job of all. Byas' return to Headingley comes via Scarborough and Old Trafford, while Lehmann has spent his time away making sure the world finally realises just how talented a batsman he is. With Harvey's all-round abilities in the mix too, all the ingredients are there to storm to the Division Two title. But in Yorkshire, things rarely work out the way they should.

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