April 5 sees the start of another Championship summer. Here our staff outline their predictions for the summer ahead...
Who is your tip for the Division One title?
England call-ups will affect champions Surrey, but they have such a strong squad that I cannot look beyond them. Yes they will miss Rory Burns and Jason Roy if they are involved with the Ashes, but that still leaves Mark Stoneman, Ollie Pope and co. Their bowling attack is also so potent – I love watching Morne Morkel, of course, and his apprentice Conor McKerr is hugely promising. They have all-round depth – with Rikki Clarke and newcomer Jordan Clark in that particular engine room. Captain Tom Abell is building something impressive at Somerset and they have a strong bowling attack especially – with the Overtons (Craig and Jamie) and the Jacks (Brooks and Leach). They could be the main challengers. Essex will always be competitive with Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer in their attack.
Who do you think will struggle in Division One?
The promoted sides might. I worry about Kent’s bowling. Coach Matt Walker has done an incredible job but obviously they will miss Matt Henry (75 wickets in 11 matches last year), and Ivan Thomas is also injured. Sam Billings and Joe Denly are away until late May at the IPL so you can understand why they went for a batsman in Matt Renshaw though. Warwickshire will miss Ian Bell, who has been ruled out for three months with a foot injury. They need Olly Stone swiftly back to full fitness to give them firepower.
Which county has done the best transfer business over the winter?
Duanne Olivier is an excellent signing for Yorkshire. He was really on a roll with South Africa. Durham are delighted with the acquisition of allrounder Ben Raine from Leicestershire – the return of the native (he is from Sunderland). Let’s hope there is a resurgence in the North-East because they have suffered enough.
Who do you think will be challenging for promotion in Division Two?
Lancashire have a strong squad. Wouldn’t it be lovely if Haseeb Hameed’s runs could be a big factor in their promotion push? It’s sad to see how he has faded. Middlesex are buoyed by the arrival of Stuart Law as coach, and – hopefully – the return of Toby Roland-Jones and Steve Finn. They already have Tim Murtagh and a revitalised James Harris, with Ethan Bamber and Tom Helm hungry to make an impression as well, so that is some seam attack. Sussex came so close last year and their supporters hope Stiaan van Zyl, who returns from injury, can make the extra few runs they needed last season, especially at the end of the campaign. They could miss Jofra Archer though if England call, so Ollie Robinson must stay fit… I will go for those three teams, but I am aware of the perils of writing Worcestershire off…
Which overseas player are you most excited to see?
Matt Renshaw will be auditioning for the Ashes with Kent. He will have to overcome English early-season conditions, but shone for Somerset this time last year. Olivier – if he stays fit – should help fill the hole left by Brooks at Yorkshire. All eyes will be on De Villiers in the Blast. Lord’s sells out pretty much anyway for these games but members could be queuing along Wellington Road this summer for Middlesex matches, not just the Ashes Test. It’s also great fun watching Rashid Khan in action (he returns for Sussex for the first half of the Blast campaign).
Are there any lesser-known homegrown stars you’re expecting to see shine?
Hopefully Aneurin Donald can get back on track at Hampshire. I have been a fan since he made that double-century from 123 balls for Glamorgan against Derbyshire at Colwyn Bay. Kent’s tall opener Zak Crawley is a personable fellow with talent so fingers crossed for him. English cricket needs quicks like Stone and Helm to kick on now.
If you could change one thing about the County Championship in 2019, what would it be?
Obviously it isn’t ideal to have so many matches at the start of the season when conditions make it a lottery for batsmen. There are a few more fixtures in high summer this time (and we all know the problems the schedulers face, so I sympathise). I’m not completely wed on the idea of 10 teams in Division One and eight in Division Two – I worry it makes those in the basement feel more marooned than ever and it just feels unbalanced.
Who is your tip for the Division One title?
I make Surrey narrow favourites. Their squad is bigger than everybody else’s, for well-publicised reasons, so they can more easily cover absences on international duty or otherwise. But it’s hard to defend a title – and I can see Somerset, with their two good spinners, and Nottinghamshire, if they can bed in their new players, pushing them hard.
Who do you think will struggle in Division One?
Everyone will be tipping Kent to go down, and they will be able to draw on a siege mentality if they make a good start. It will be tough, though, with Joe Denly and Sam Billings away in the IPL. Matt Henry basically got them promoted, and without him I can see them struggling if the wickets are flat. A lot depends on Matt Renshaw and Heino Kuhn’s runs, Adam Riley having a resurgence, and Matt Milnes making the most of his move. However, I can see Hampshire getting dragged into it, and there’s usually one county that does worse than expected.
Which county has done the best transfer business over the winter?
Hard to look beyond Duanne Olivier at Yorkshire. Leicestershire have made some shrewd moves: Chris Wright has experience; Will Davis earned rave reviews from Kim Barnett at Derbyshire; and Arron Lilley looks a very good signing. Notts have acquired the best player, there or thereabouts, from each of the neighbouring and smaller midlands counties. If they aren’t up there, questions will be asked. But I’d go for the other midlands giants, Warwickshire, who have snapped up Craig Miles and Liam Norwell from Gloucestershire.
Who do you think will be challenging for promotion in Division Two?
On paper it looks like the best chance in years, with three going up. But I can see at least four sides who will expect to go up. Lancashire should be too good; if their seamers stay fit Middlesex should get a shot in the arm from Stuart Law’s arrival; and then it’s between Sussex and Worcestershire for the other spot. Never underestimate Worcestershire – they always do better than expected, they’re a tight-knit bunch, and they play on result wickets (though they have lost Joe Clarke). Plus there’s the chance of one of the other counties getting on a good run early on.
Which overseas player are you most excited to see?
The best, pound for pound, over the last 10 years, has been Jeetan Patel. But I can’t wait to see the cat Glenn Maxwell throws among the pigeons in his time at Lancashire.
Are there any lesser-known homegrown stars you’re expecting to see shine?
Ben Raine could be a great move for Durham. But in terms of players who can definitely go on to the top, Dillon Pennington of Worcestershire looks to have pace, bounce and fire.
If you could change one thing about the County Championship in 2019, what would it be?
It’s the age-old problem, I’m afraid: too much emphasis placed on matches in spring, where the Dukes ball moves around corners, regardless of what state the pitches are in. It certainly doesn’t help produce top-order batsmen for Test cricket. Division Two, I’m sorry to say, can be poor at times, with batsmen conditioned mainly for white-ball cricket trying to hit their way out of trouble too early on in an innings. But I accept it’s a hard balance to strike: we don’t want 450 for 3 plays 600 for 8 declared, either.
Who is your tip for the Division One title?
Surrey look well set to become just the second county to retain the Division One title this decade. South African pair Dean Elgar and Morne Morkel remain central pillars with bat and ball and a team which can call upon Rory Burns, Ben Foakes, Tom Curran, Liam Plunkett and Jason Roy in dispatches this season are to be feared.
Who do you think will struggle in Division One?
Warwickshire will be without Ian Bell for three months due to surgery on a ligament tear in his toe, and along with Jonathan Trott's exit, it strips the team of nearly 2,000 of last season's runs. Hampshire may also be looking over their shoulder with no overseas player in place and their squad sapped of experience.
Which county has done the best transfer business over the winter?
It is hard not to admire Nottinghamshire's business in bringing in a clutch of young players including Joe Clarke, Zak Chappell and Ben Duckett - even if it has come at the loss of Harry Gurney. Having Azhar Ali on board in spinning conditions at Taunton could be a gem of the signing for Somerset, meanwhile.
Who do you think will be challenging for promotion in Division Two?
The second tier is not blessed with too many stand-out squads but Durham will not be too far away from the headlines, one way or another. Changes on and off-the-field and the recruitment of Cameron Bancroft as captain means their every move will be tracked with a watchful eye.
Which overseas player are you most excited to see?
There is little doubt that Duanne Olivier's decision to swap international cricket with South Africa for the humble surroundings of Division One in Yorkshire is one which has divided opinion. Already eyeing an England spot at the end of his three-year deal, his every move will be scrutinised. And for obvious reasons, every glimpse of Bancroft at Chester-le-street this summer will make interesting viewing.
Are there any lesser-known homegrown stars you’re expecting to see shine?
A 25-ball century probably doesn't make Will Jacks 'lesser-known' anymore, but the 20-year-old will surely only build on his heroics in pre-season. Meanwhile, at the top of the Gloucestershire order sits Miles Hammond, who at 23 could soon be wooing the England selectors.
If you could change one thing about the County Championship in 2019, what would it be?
Just 21% of the 126 County Championship matches in 2018 are being played during the fulcrum of the summer; June, July and August. There is little evidence the four-day format exists at the benefit of the sport or to assist the national team, it is merely being accommodated. The ECB must stop bookending the fixture list.
Who is your tip for the Division One title?
Surrey is the boring answer but the squad has such strength. Rory Burns and Sam Curran are the most likely to find England duty getting in the way of defending their title, but even so, Alec Stewart’s team should be able to cope.
Dean Elgar returns to The Oval to provide ballast to the batting while the acquisition of Jordan Clark from Lancashire adds another allrounder option. Any side with Morne Morkel leading the attack are going to be a major threat.
Who do you think will struggle in Division One?
Kent may well find top-flight life difficult with Sam Billings and Joe Denly’s IPL stints meaning they will miss the start of the season. Potential England duty could see further absences as the summer goes on.
And there’s no Matt Henry this year. The New Zealand bowler tore it up in 2018, taking 75 wickets at 15.48.
Which county has done the best transfer business over the winter?
In Zak Chappell, Joe Clarke, Ben Duckett and Ben Slater, Notts have brought in an exciting quartet of English talent. All will be champing at the bit to prove their worth in Division One.
Chuck James Pattinson into the mix - who picked up 32 wickets at 12.06 for Notts in 2017 and will be auditioning for an Ashes place - and the Trent Bridge outfit can be very pleased with their additions.
Who do you think will be challenging for promotion in Division Two?
Worcestershire are strong contenders for an instant return. Captain Joe Leach and Josh Tongue are both fit again after missing chunks of last summer. Australia’s Callum Ferguson, who hit three white-ball hundreds for the Pears in 2018, returns as the club’s overseas and will go someway to replacing the outgoing Clarke’s runs.
Any two of Lancashire, Middlesex and Sussex to join them.
Which overseas player are you most excited to see?
Matt Renshaw oozed class in a brief spell with Somerset last summer, averaging 51.30 and hitting three centuries in six matches. The Australian is great to watch in full flow and Kent will be hoping to see the left-hander make it a repeat performance in 2019.
Are there any lesser-known homegrown stars you’re expecting to see shine?
Middlesex’s Ethan Bamber picked up 28 wickets in six matches last year. The 20-year-old will have a fight on his hands for match time however, if Steve Finn and Toby Roland-Jones are fit and firing.
Dillon Pennington down at Worcester to name another.
If you could change one thing about the County Championship in 2019, what would it be?
That we can see more of it on the box. I’m sure production costs are high and it’s easier to air re-run No.2,034 of an AB Masterclass, but that’d be my wish.
The counties, by the way, are doing a cracking job at getting live streams up so matches can be watched online.
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