Cricinfo previews Division Two of the County Championship to assess who might be looking to make the step up this year

15-Apr-2008For Division One click here.
Chris Rogers has the incentive of wanting to prove the Australian selectors wrong while at Derbyshire © Getty Images
DerbyshireCaptain Rikki Clarke Coach John Morris Overseas Mahela Jayawardene (SL), Chris Rogers (Aus)Rikki Clarke has been thrown in at the deep end after joining from Surrey as captain and the role could either make or break his career. If he thrives on the responsibility, his all-round talent will prosper, but he faces the tough task of moulding Derbyshire into a winning unit. Three Championship wins in 2007 was about par for the course and they will need big runs from Rogers – with Jayawardene likely to be absent due to international duty and Wavell Hinds lost to the ICL – to give a weak bowling attack a chance. Andrew McGlashanHigh value Rogers – will be a class above the other batting on show and eager to prove Cricket Australia were wrong to take away his contract.
Long-term investment Jonathan Clare – took five wickets on his debut against Northants and should get more chances this year.
Prospects With Clarke and Nayan Doshi in the ranks, Twenty20 is the best chance Derbyshire have of making a serious mark. EssexCaptain Mark Pettini Coach Paul Grayson Overseas Danish Kaneria (Pak)Challenged for promotion last year but, despite a late run of victories, came up short and also suffered a poor one-day season. The major problem for them this season will be bowling sides out twice in the Championship and a huge onus will once again be on Kaneria. A fit Alex Tudor would be a boost, but that is always considered a bonus these days. Runs shouldn’t be such an issue and Jason Gallian, although not an import with an eye on the future, will provide a solid presence in the top order. Andrew McGlashanHigh value Ravi Bopara – needs to rebuild his confidence after a chastening winter and show he can make big runs at No. 4.
Long-term investment Maurice Chambers – a quick bowler who has suffered injury problems but is on the road back.
Prospects A lack of strike-bowling will hinder promotion hopes, but a one-day run isn’t out of the question.
Hamish Marshall’s availability provides Gloucestershire with an important rock in the middle order © Getty Images
GlamorganCaptain David Hemp Coach Matthew Maynard Overseas Jason Gillespie (Aus)It can’t get much worse for Glamorgan than the nightmare they suffered in 2007. The rebuilding process has begun with a few new faces – Jamie Dalrymple being the most notable – but the squad still looks light. At least Gillespie’s approval will provide a hint of cutting edge to the attack. Michael Powell’s return in the middle order, following a life-threatening blood clot, will provide some stability, while the development of James Harris and Tom Maynard is a major tick for homegrown talent. The most positive news surrounds the new stadium; now it’s down to Hemp and Maynard to try and forge a team to match. Andrew McGlashanHigh value Robert Croft – resisted the temptation of the ICL and will, no doubt, again prove himself the best domestic offspinner.
Long-term investment Harris – after bursting on the scene last year, the test will now be to maintain his form throughout a long season.
Prospects Fortunes won’t change quickly and success will have to be measured in terms of more than just the win/loss ratio. GloucestershireCaptain Jon Lewis Coach Lewis/Jack Russell Overseas Marcus North (Aus)Gloucestershire have had not hidden their ambitions of wanting to recreate their successful recent past by aiming to bring back John Bracewell as coach – ideally in time for the 2009 season – and through the return of Jack Russell, effectively to replace Mark Alleyne, for this year. Chris Taylor, regarded by the chief executive, Tom Richardson, as “the best backward point in the country” takes on extra responsibilities as a fielding coach. The presence of Hamish Marshall has been cleared by the ECB, and newcomers include William Porterfield, the vice-captain of Ireland. Improvements are needed on the field in the first-class game in particular, and off it in terms of the club’s ambitions to run more limited-overs internationals at Bristol, to say nothing of the weather. Flooding last year wrecked the much-loved Cheltenham festival. Ivo TennantHigh value North – the Australian batsman who will be available throughout the summer.
Long-term investment Matt Gitcham – a legspinner tutored by Terry Jenner, Shane Warne’s mentor.
Prospects Will struggle to achieve promotion in the Championship. Twenty20 a better bet, although perhaps not until Bracewell returns.
Owais Shah should fill his boots for Middlesex, but will England finally come calling? © Getty Images
LeicestershireCaptain Paul Nixon Coach Tim Boon Overseas Boeta Dippenaar (SA)Neil Davidson, the Leicestershire chairman, was very vocal during the winter, saying he believes the county game is splitting into the haves and have-nots. Leicestershire continue to languish in the second category, especially in four-day cricket, although they have been very active in the Kolpak market to cover, particularly in the bowling department. Garnett Kruger and Jermaine Lawson will prove a handful with the ball, but run-scoring will rest heavily on the shoulders of Dippenaar and HD Ackerman. Andrew McGlashan
High value Lawson – if he can stay fit, he has the pace to cause real problems in Division Two.
Long-term investment Tom New – a tidy wicketkeeper who has played as a specialist batsman. Will replace Nixon when he calls time.
Prospects Can never be underestimated in one-day cricket, where their never-say-die attitude makes up for a shortage of class.MiddlesexCaptain Ed Smith Coach Toby Radford Overseas Murali Kartik (Ind), Vernon Philander (SA)After almost a decade of disappointment, there was enough improvement in 2007 to suggest there might be a change of fortune in the air rather than another brief false dawn. Last season’s relative success came without the batting ever really firing in unison, and Ed Joyce will need to lead the way, as will beneficiary Owais Shah both for county and in terms of his own international chances. The bowling lacks depth and an injury or two could leave it looking very threadbare. The arrival of Kartik in June will give much-needed balance and a quality spinning option to support the veteran Shaun Udal. The progress of two youngsters, Steven Finn and Billy Godleman, will be watched with interest, as will the new coach. Martin Williamson
High value Finn – tall, quick and talented, he will do will to live up to the pre-season hype, but he does appear to have what it takes.
Long-term investment Godleman – impressed with technique and durability in 2007 and started the summer with a hundred at The Oval in a warm-up match.
Prospects Better than they have been for many years, but Championship promotion could still be a season away. While they should have enough to survive in the one-day league, they lack consistency to win silverware.
Darren Maddy has a huge role, alongside Ashley Giles and Allan Donald, in rebuilding Warwickshire’s fortunes © Getty Images
NorthamptonshireCaptain Nicky Boje Coach David Capel Overseas Johann Louw (SA)There is a little bit of South Africa planted firmly at Wantage Road as Capel and the new captain, Boje, try to form a squad that can lift the side out of their recent struggles. The pace bowling cupboard continues to look bare without Andrew Hall or Johan van der Wath – although Louw brings valuable experience – so there will be fingers crossed for a dry summer that would open the door for the spinners. David Sales has decided to concentrate on his batting and will need to score some of the runs lost due to Usman Afzaal’s move to Surrey. Andrew McGlashan
High value Lance Klusener – still capable of match-turning innings even if his force has dimmed.
Long-term investment Alex Wakely – a developing allrounder who should be given an extended run.
Prospects Enough allrounders to push in the one-day arena.WarwickshireCaptain Darren Maddy Coach Ashley Giles Overseas Monde Zondeki (SA)Last season could have been worse, but not by much. Relegated in the Championship and Pro40, Warwickshire were a divided side without direction; the decision not to pick Ian Bell for their Friends Provident semi-final was a particularly low moment. Their fortunes are looking up, however. Giles has slid into his role as Director of Cricket with enthusiasm, but it’s the welcoming back of Allan Donald to the coaching team which could be the turning point. It’s likely he’ll be more hands-on than Giles, and he has the South African fast bowler Zondeki to spearhead the attack. Will LukeHigh value Maddy – possesses the inspirational passion of Dermot Reeve, if not the renegade spirit, and is their banker in the top order. Needs support.
Long-term investment Ian Westwood – turns 26 in July, so not exactly wet behind the ears, but was appointed Maddy’s vice-captain over the winter.
Prospects Donald wants to recreate the glory years Edgbaston enjoyed in the 1990s. Admirably passionate, but do they have the talent? A chance for promotion in the Championship if their bowlers can fire, and mid-table in the one-dayers seems a fair compromise in what will be a year of rebuilding.WorcestershireCaptain Vikram Solanki Coach Steve Rhodes Overseas Steve Magoffin (Aus), Fidel Edwards (WI)The club made more headlines for the cricket they didn’t play in 2007 as the summer floods hit New Road hard. The ground has recovered and there has also been some rebuilding in the squad: the arrival of Simon Jones was the biggest county move of the winter. Putting him alongside Kabir Ali, Matt Mason and Magoffin creates a strong pace attack, while a powerful middle order will include Graeme Hick, Solanki and Ben Smith. Andrew McGlashanHigh value Jones – quite a catch for a second division club, but it’s a make-or-break season as he puts his injury-prone body to the test.
Long-term investment Moeen Ali – time he kicked off and left behind the youngster tag, but needs to force his way into the line-up first.
Prospects They have the firepower with bat and ball to form a serious promotion push.