County predictions '09

Now that the county season is under way, time to risk making a fool of myself with a few predictions for the coming months.

Starting with Notts, and obvious bias aside, they look as strong as anyone again – stronger if they can get their first eleven out. A bowling attack permeated from Stuart Broad, Charlie Shreck, Ryan Sidebottom, Darren Pattinson, Mark Ealham, Andre Adams and Graeme Swann is more than capable of sustaining a County Championship title challenge. That said, I can hardly see Broad or Swann in particular pulling on a Notts shirt all summer, although it currently looks likely we’ll be seeing more of Sido this year.

Notts’ trophy chances then will be down to scoring enough runs, where a lot will rest on Adam Voges (especially with Samit Patel likely to be spending chunks of the season on international duty), who wasn’t quite able to fill the admittedly huge shoes of David Hussey last year. With a plethora of allrounders, Notts bat deeper than anyone else in the championship – if we can get the openers to pull their weight I see a strong push for the title.

We’ll also expect to be very competitive in all of the one day competitions, whether Ali Brown turns out to be a masterstroke or wishful thinking, the combination of experience, the variety of options and a smattering of class will serve the Outlaws well in pyjama cricket.


County Championship Div one
Between Notts and Durham again, the two teams with the best bowling attacks. I’m going to stick my neck out and plump for Mick Newell’s men to take the title back to Trent Bridge.
Sussex, missing Chris Adams and Mushtaq, and with Murray Goodwin ageing, to go down with Hampshire.

County Championship Div two
There are some big guns in this year’s second division after the relegation of Surrey and Kent last year, but they won’t have it all their own way in the push for promotion. Surrey just keep aging and I don’t see them getting straight back up. Middlesex have a very talented young batting line up with the likes of Malan, Godelman and Morgan, alongside established pros like Owais Shah, I think they’ll score enough runs to underpin their title challenge. Essex will continue to improve, and Kent’s band of mercenaries should be strong, but outside of those three I don’t see much quality cricket being played in the second division. Middlesex as champions, and Kent to be promoted.

Friends Provident Trophy
The early season qualifiers will suit those teams too not affected by IPL/Twenty20 call ups, and with strong seam attacks. I quite fancy Somerset to go well with Trescothick, Langer and Kieswetter spearheading the batting. I’ll plump for them to beat Durham in the final.

Twenty20
Essex have got some terrific boundary hitters in Ravi Bopara and Graham Napier, and have a young, united squad. I also like Notts’ chances in the short format under Chris Read’s captaincy and with a team stuffed full of allrounders. Notts, Essex, Worcestershire and Kent to make finals day... and if pushed Essex to take the title.

Pro40
Who knows? Sorry, it’s just too early to pick a winner.