Predictions
1 Essex, 2 Lancashire, 3 Surrey, 4 Yorkshire, 5 Hampshire, 6 Somerset, 7 Nottinghamshire, 8 Worcestershire
Essex
Last season: 1st
Coach: Anthony McGrath
Captain: Ryan Ten Doeschate
Overseas players: Peter Siddle (April to mid-May), Neil Wagner (mid-May to end of July)
Ins: Feroze Khushi, Matt Coles
Outs: Keshan Velani
Essex's Championship win in their first season back in Division One was quite a turn-up, but such is the talent of their young squad that they have every chance of a successful defence of the title under their new head coach, Anthony McGrath. It is true that to expect Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer to share almost 150 Championship wickets again this year might be pushing it a bit, but two committed international seamers - Peter Siddle and Neil Wagner - share overseas bowler duties and they can anticipate improvement from young pace bowlers such as Paul Walter and Sam Cook. Then there is the mercurial presence of Matt Coles, the roistering allrounder, given another chance to fulfil his potential.
Runs should also be in decent supply with Essex in the happy position of fielding a number of talented batsmen - Tom Westley, Nick Browne and Dan Lawrence - who don't quite win England honours. A successful defence will not be easy, but they did win it by 72 points last time, and none of their rivals entirely convince as pretenders to the crown.
One to watch: Matt Coles carried excess poundage at Kent and, even at 27, may never win an international call, but if he gets his game together he may prove to be an excellent gamble in all formats.
Bet365: 11-4
Prediction: 1st
Lancashire
Last season: 2nd
Coach:- Glen Chapple
Captain: Liam Livingstone
Overseas players: Joe Mennie
Ins: Keaton Jennings, Graham Onions, Josh Bohannon, Liam Hurt
Outs: Kyle Jarvis, Luke Procter
There are many good reasons to fancy a Lancashire tilt at the title. A look-'em-in-the-eye new skipper in Liam Livingstone, backed by the sagacious coach Glen Chapple, has a squad strong in batting and well balanced in bowling. Then your gaze strays to the fixture list, which shows no first-class cricket at Old Trafford after the Roses match in late July because of outfield work ahead of the 2019 World Cup. Lancashire need a dry first month in Manchester, which should be enough to dissuade the gamblers among us from having a punt.
Haseeb Hameed and Keaton Jennings might both have failed to secure a place with England, but they can rebuild their claims as one of the best opening pairs around. Graham Onions and Joe Mennie compensate for the pace bowling loss of Kyle Jarvis and Ryan McLaren, and both Tom Bailey and Saqib Mahmood can up their game. Watch out for leggie Matt Parkinson as the season progresses.
One to watch: If Lancashire are to mount a title challenge then the likelihood is that Saqib Mahmood's advance as a fast bowler, and ability to touch speeds approaching 90mph, will be part of the story.
Bet365: 9-2
Prediction: 2nd
Surrey
Last season: 3rd
Coach: Michael Di Venuto
Captain: Rory Burns
Overseas players:
Ins: Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Rikki Clarke
Outs: Kumar Sangakkara, Ravi Rampaul, Dom Sibley
Surrey might be the richest, and for that matter the most independently minded club in county cricket, but only one limited-overs trophy represents a poor record since the glory days under Adam Hollioake at the turn of the century. Predicting them for success (as this column has been known to do) has been an unrewarding business. Rory Burns, whose links with Surrey began at eight years old, is the new captain, seeking to follow the progress made under Gareth Batty, who dragged Surrey out of Division Two in 2015 and lost three Royal London Cup finals before standing down at the end of last season.
Surrey's youngsters - the Curran brothers, Ollie Pope, Jason Roy and Amar Virdi - suggest a Championship must eventually come their way. This season, they should make a stack of runs, even without Kumar Sangakkara, and Scott Borthwick will surely improve on a mediocre debut season. But a canny overseas signing, Mitchell Marsh, has been ruled out through injury, and the return, at 36, of Rikki Clarke, even allowing for his productive loan spell late last season, hints at the questionable bowling resources that could ultimately cost them dear. Surrey's commitment to their Academy is admirable, but until they find the next Martin Bicknell that Championship may be hard to secure.
One to watch: Amar Virdi is seen as Gareth Batty's successor and England Lions have taken an early look at his offspin: more opportunities may follow.
Bet365: 5
Prediction: 3rd
Yorkshire
Last season: 4th
Coach: Andrew Gale
Captain: Gary Ballance
Overseas players: Cheteshwar Pujara (April - June, may return in September), Kane Williamson (13 July - 4 September)
Ins:
Outs: Ryan Sidebottom, Will Rhodes
Yorkshire are hardened against England raiding (or resting) their players. Now it is the IPL that offends them, with Liam Plunkett and David Willey dashing off to India on replacement deals, Willey shortly after delivering his On Message statement that his desire was to win a Championship with Yorkshire. At least Adil Rashid's decision to opt for a white-ball only deal had a frankness about it. Yorkshire's coach, Andrew Gale, is aware that projecting a softer image might be a good idea, but instead he has been fulminating like a good 'un.
So, as the dust dies down, what to expect? Yorkshire, like so many in this division, now look stronger in batting than bowling. They have insisted their batting line-up stops grandstanding, none more so than the openers Alex Lees and Adam Lyth, and have signed Kane Williamson and Cheteshwar Pujara to hammer the point home. Harry Brook can kick on in the middle order. What's left of the bowling is heavily reliant on youngsters Matt Fisher and Ben Coad, and the lack of penetration in their attack could prevent a concerted Championship challenge.
One to watch: Matt Fisher can have a breakthrough season if his hamstrings allow it, and that is precisely what Yorkshire need as they look for young bowlers to make a mark.
Bet365: 4-1
Prediction: 4th
Hampshire
Last season: 5th
Coach: Craig White
Captain: James Vince
Overseas players: Hashim Amla (first three months of the season), Dale Steyn (6-12 June and possibly later in the season)
Ins: Chris Sole, Sam Northeast
Outs Michael Carberry, Will Smith
In the two seasons after being crowned Division Two champions in 2014, Hampshire flirted with relegation, finishing seventh and eighth (kept up by Durham's demotion) respectively in the two years that followed. Last season was a shade better, however, and there is a palpable feeling of optimism on the south coast. The combination of new signing Sam Northeast and James Vince, full-time captain, should provide the middle-order runs to bolster their chances of finishing in the top four this season, although Vince remains in the running for England honours.
Bowling resources are slighter, even if Hampshire have snapped up South African quick Dale Steyn, who will join the redoubtable Kyle Abbott at the Ageas Bowl later in the summer. For all of a week, the duo could potentially form the Championship's most effective pace attack. Abbott has easily been Hampshire's most lethal bowler, finishing with 60 Championship scalps in 2017. The county will miss the services of Australian George Bailey, but there's another Proteas legend in Hashim Amla who is more than capable of filling his shoes.
One to watch: Sam Northeast is moving west following a stellar season with Kent (1017 runs, averaging 50.85) and looking to push his case with England.
Bet365: 8-1 Prediction: 5th
Somerset
Last season: 6th
Coach: Jason Kerr
Captain: Tom Abell
Overseas players:
Ins: Fin Trenouth
Outs: Jim Allenby, Ryan Davies, Michael Leask
Somerset's escape from relegation last season was a notable achievement, with three wins from their last four games, turning Taunton pitches the order of the day, and the ball ragging for Jack Leach and Dom Bess more than Middlesex could happily accept as they lost in the last round to go down. Just as Northants produced two England spinners in Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar on turning pitches at Wantage Road, so Somerset can serve England's needs. They should keep them spinning - it does batsmen no harm to learn such skills either.
Even with turning piches, Somerset might face another survival season, especially if Craig Overton keeps his tenuous hold on an England seamer's spot and his twin brother, Jamie, quicker but more cumbersome, again fails to find that 90mph potential on a regular basis. Young captain Tom Abell can settle the batting with his own run-making contribution and Fin Tremouth is a highly-regarded young batsman but if Somerset don't find an overseas replacement for Cameron Bancroft life will not be easy.
One to watch: Why look further than Marcus Trescothick? Quality players who remain in the county game after international retirement are priceless. Watch him while you can.
Bet365: 12 Prediction: 6th
Nottinghamshire
Last season: 2nd (Division Two)
Coach: Peter Moores Captain: Steven Mullaney
Overseas players: Ross Taylor (first half of the season)
Ins: Paul Coughlin, Chris Nash
Outs: Chris Read, Brett Hutton, Brendan Taylor, Greg Smith, Michael Lumb
Nottinghamshire pulled off a remarkable season in 2017, winning both limited-overs trophies and regaining their Division One spot in the Championship, all this despite the loss of three top-order batsmen. It all helped to gild the reputation of Peter Moores, a coach prematurely sacked by England and with an outstanding record at county level, but Nottinghamshire's survival may not be as easy as many imagine.
Luck has not fallen Nottinghamshire's way. Alex Hales opted to become a white-ball specialist and then got a late deal at IPL; Paul Coughlin, presented as an allrounder with England potential, dislocated a shoulder with England Lions; the inspirational Chris Read has retired; and several transfer targets were not achieved. It will take seasons of note from new signings Chris Nash, with the bat, and Mark Footitt, with the ball, to stop Notts returning from whence they came. Best wishes, too, to Luke Fletcher, back in action after that shuddering head injury.
One to watch: Billy Root, brother of Joe, is just one of several young players who will need to step up to the mark if Nottinghamshire are to survive.
Bet365: 7-1 Prediction: 7th
Worcestershire
Last season: 1st (Division Two)
Coach Kevin Sharp
Captain: Joe Leach
Overseas players: Travis Head
Ins: Alex Milton, Steve Magoffin, Dillon Pennington
Outs: none
Worcestershire's promotion season did not come without pain when the county's long-standing rapport with director of cricket Steve Rhodes was severed abruptly because of an alleged failure to report rape allegations against a member of the squad. Worcestershire have looked internally for a new head coach in Kevin Sharp, who will have a huge responsibility in rebuilding morale and ensuring the county can hold on to its spot in Division One. At least the floodwaters are beginning to recede.
Sharp, not for the first time, has dubbed Joe Clarke "the new Joe Root", only with more soft dismissals. Their overseas signing, Travis Head, also brings more than a ray of hope. The Australian left-hander slots into the Worcestershire setup on the back of a career-best Shield season (738 runs at an average of 46). Their man with the golden arm has been the skipper himself - 69 wickets is what Joe Leach finished with in the victorious 2017 season, at an impressive average of 19.39. And can there be one more grand summer in Steve Magoffin, the metronomic seamer, signed from Sussex after an injury-ridden season at the age of 38?
One to watch: Josh Tongue, although affected by ankle surgery in the New Year, is on England's list for a new generation of quick bowlers.
Bet365: 20
Prediction: 8th