COUNTY BY COUNTY GUIDE TO THE 2011 SEASON by Marcus Hook 

DERBYSHIRE
Derbyshire have finished nine out of the last ten seasons in the bottom half of Division Two in the County Championship. Furthermore, since the re-introduction of 40-over cricket in 2006, no county has won fewer 40-over matches than the Falcons. Luke Sutton returns to Nottingham Road as wicketkeeper and, now, captain, but he will have his work cut out turning Derbyshire into a competitive unit given the departures of Chris Rogers and Robin Peterson, their leading run-maker and wicket-taker in the championship in 2010. To make matters worse Graham Wagg, who was out of action for much of last summer, after having led the attack the year before, has also moved on. But there is some cause for optimism in the batting department. 20-year-old left-hander Chesney Hughes made an impact in his first full season, scoring 784 championship runs at an average of 41.26, plus Wayne Madsen and Greg Smith are more than capable of rediscovering the form they displayed in 2009.
Ins: Matt Lineker, Tony Palladino (Ess), Luke Sutton (Lan) and Mark Turner (Som).
Outs: Lee Goddard, Ian Hunter, Tom Lungley, Robin Peterson, John Sadler and Graham Wagg (Gla).
Overseas 2011: Usman Khawaja (Aus, for the first half of the season) and Martin Guptill (NZ, for the second half of the season).
New captain/coach: Luke Sutton takes over from Chris Rogers as captain. Rogers resigned the captaincy last August, after which Greg Smith took charge.
Other news: Don Amott, chairman of Derbyshire for the last five years, surprisingly resigned three weeks before the new season. He has been replaced by Chris Grant, who has big shoes to fill. On the pitch, Derbyshire will be competing in this season's Derbyshire Premier Cup.
LV County Championship Div Two - 20-1.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 40-1.

DURHAM
Having begun last season looking more than capable of retaining the County Championship, Durham's challenge soon faded and Will Smith was relieved of the captaincy before the end of May. The limited-overs competitions did not provide much cheer, either. But the overwhelming positive was the emergence of Ben Stokes, who topped Durham's four-day batting averages with 740 runs at an average of 46.25. With Paul Collingwood likely to be available for much of the coming season and Michael Di Venuto seemingly as hungry as ever for runs the batting looks in very good shape. Were it not for a number of seamers coming back from injuries, the same could be said of the bowling. A back injury sidelined Graham Onions for the whole of 2010, while an ankle problem resulted in Stephen Harmison sitting out half the campaign. It is already looking as though Ruel Brathwaite, Mark Davies, Onions and Callum Thorp are struggling to be fit for the start of the season.
Ins: None.
Outs: Luke Evans (Nor), Will Gidman (Glo) and Neil Killeen.
Overseas 2011: David Miller (RSA, for Twenty20).
New captain/coach: Will Smith was relieved of the Durham captaincy last May. This summer, Phil Mustard will skipper Durham in the County Championship, while Dale Benkenstein will take charge in limited-overs cricket.
Could miss the start of the season: Ruel Brathwaite (hamstring), Paul Collingwood (knee), Mark Davies (foot), Stephen Harmison (ankle), Phil Mustard (foot), Graham Onions (back), Liam Plunkett (thigh strain) and Callum Thorp (knee).
Other news: Durham's Chief Executive, David Harker has suggested a novel way of deciding which county should take part in the Champions League, staged in September, that will not impinge on a 16-match championship schedule. Harker said recently: "Built into the schedule are additional weeks (of fixtures) that may or may not be necessary. You can look at a situation where the winner of the t20 in one year qualifies for the following year's Champions League rather than the immediate Champions League, and therefore you have a season where you have a fixture list to ensure that that county's round of games maybe finish a week earlier."
LV County Championship Div One - 4-1.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 13-1.

ESSEX
One of the big stories over the winter was Owais Shah's move from Middlesex to Essex. But it does not explain why, despite managing the fewest number of wins in last summer's County Championship, having key players involved in the IPL and before their overseas player for 2011 has been unveiled, Essex are some bookies' favourites to win Division Two. What comes as no surprise, however, is that the Eagles are fancied to do well in the one-day arena. Essex have reached three of the last five Twenty20 finals days, only to leave early on all three occasions. But with all-rounders of the calibre of New Zealand's Scott Styris, Ravi Bopara and Ryan ten Doeschate, there is no reason why they shouldn't be at Edgbaston on August 27. A calf injury to ten Doeschate limited his involvement in last summer's competition to six outings, but that did not stop him racking up 296 runs at an average of 59.20.
Ins: Owais Shah (Mid).
Outs: Grant Flower, John Maunders, Tony Palladino (Der) and Mervyn Westfield.
Overseas 2011: Scott Styris (NZ, for Twenty20).
New captain/coach: James Foster takes over from Mark Pettini as captain.
Could miss the start of the season: Ravi Bopara (side strain), Graham Napier (back), Owais Shah (IPL) and Ryan ten Doeschate (IPL).
Other news: Essex are still looking for a replacement for Danish Kaneria, the Pakistan leg-spinner, who has left the club by mutual consent after seven seasons. Australia's Peter Siddle and New Zealand's Tim Southee have both been approached, but there was nothing doing.
LV County Championship Div Two - 7-2.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 8-1.

GLAMORGAN
One would have thought that third spot in Division Two of the County Championship represented progress, but the Dragons' dismal showing in each of the limited-overs competitions last season led to criticism of Jamie Dalrymple's captaincy and Matthew Maynard's management style. Both found themselves in an untenable position in November, when, without their knowledge, Glamorgan unveiled Alviro Petersen as their new captain and overseas player. The fallout included the departure of Tom Maynard, who swaps places in the middle order with Surrey's Stewart Walters. But the biggest loss to the batting, in the championship and the 40League, has to be Mark Cosgrove, who scored 2,146 runs in all competitions in 2010 as Glamorgan's primary overseas representative. That just seems to leave Jim Allenby, who has passed fifty on 18 occasions in first-class cricket the last two seasons, but converted only two into hundreds, as a proven bat. However, the acquisition of Graham Wagg gives Glamorgan hope that what was already a decent bowling attack will help them stay competitive.
Ins: Mike O'Shea, Graham Wagg (Der) and Stewart Walters (Sur).
Outs: Jamie Dalrymple and Tom Maynard (Sur).
Overseas 2011: Alviro Petersen (RSA) and Mark Cosgrove (Aus, for Twenty20).
New captain/coach: Alviro Petersen takes over from Jamie Dalrymple as captain. Matthew Mott succeeds Matthew Maynard as coach.
Could miss the start of the season: David Harrison (hip).
Other news: At one stage Glamorgan were hoping to sign South African duo Charl Langeveldt and Richard Levi as a Kolpak players, but there has not been any talk recently. Ricky Ponting's name has been mentioned, though, which is something of a surprise given that Glamorgan have already signed a pair of overseas players for 2011.
LV County Championship Div Two - 7-1.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 40-1.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE
In the last two seasons only five of Gloucestershire's matches in the County Championship have ended in a draw, but having to weather the departure of so many key personnel - most notably New Zealand's James Franklin - they will do well to win more matches this year than they lose; something the Bristolians haven't managed in four-day cricket since 2003. The only grounds for optimism are that Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan is inked in for the FPt20 campaign (providing he can obtain a visa), 21-year-old seamer Ian Saxleby is fit again after missing the 2010 season with a shoulder injury and the Gladiators did acquit themselves well in last summer's 40League. Despite the presence of the evergreen Jon Lewis and the improving left-arm spinner Vikram Banerjee, Gloucestershire's bowling stocks look more depleted than the batting. Having said that, the batting needs to undergo a major transformation. Aside from Ian Cockbain, Chris Dent and Ed Young, all of whom need to be given time, the rest of Gloucestershire's top order should be at their peak.
Ins: Michael Beard, Ian Cockbain, Richard Coughtrie, James Fuller, Will Gidman (Dur), Graeme McCarter, Craig Miles and David Wade.
Outs: Kadeer Ali, Gemaal Hussain (Som), Anthony Ireland (Mid), Steve Kirby (Som), Will Porterfield (War), Steven Snell and Rob Woodman.
Overseas 2011: Kane Williamson (NZ) and Muttiah Muralitharan (SL, for Twenty20).
Could miss the start of the season: Hamish Marshall (to attend the weddings of his two brothers in New Zealand).
Other news: Lance Corporal David Wade has turned down a return to Afghanistan to play cricket for Gloucestershire this season.
LV County Championship Div Two - 14-1.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 40-1.

HAMPSHIRE
One could argue that the reigning Twenty20 champions have fallen below expectations in the County Championship in recent years. But, providing they are not plagued with the mountain of injuries they had to endure in 2010, Dominic Cork's men should be challenging on all three fronts in 2011. With the ball, leg-spinner Imran Tahir returns as the main overseas signing, South African fast bowler Friedel de Wet has been recruited as a Kolpak player and don't be surprised if youngsters like slow left-armer Danny Briggs and left-arm seamer Chris Wood continue to come through. With the bat, nobody has scored more first-class half-centuries in the last two seasons than Jimmy Adams, who was the leading run-maker in T20 cricket last year. Michael Carberry's performances continue to warrant greater attention from the England selectors, while Ervine, Lumb and McKenzie make up a formidable supporting cast. Throw Shahid Afridi into the mix come the T20 and a third successive year with silverware to show for it looks a distinct possibility.
Ins: Friedel de Wet and Johann Myburgh.
Outs: Chris Benham and Kevin Pietersen (Sur).
Overseas 2011: Imran Tahir (RSA, with Warwickshire in 2010) and Shahid Afridi (Pak, for Twenty20).
New captain/coach: Dominic Cork officially takes over from Dimitri Mascarenhas as captain. Mascarenhas missed the whole of last season owing to injury. Vice-captain Nic Pothas took charge initially, before handing the reins over to Cork in June.
Could miss the start of the season: Imran Tahir (broken thumb), Michael Lumb (IPL) and Dimitri Mascarenhas (Achilles tendon injury to be followed by a 14-day suspension for posting an inappropriate Tweet).
Other news: All-rounder Sean Ervine turned down the chance to play for Zimbabwe in the World Cup in order to extend his county career.
LV County Championship Div One - 8-1.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 17-2.

KENT
Kent have said they are unlikely to sign an overseas player this season. The lack of a world-class bowler would explain why the bookies do not expect the hop county to repeat what they did in 2009 and make an immediate return to Division One in the County Championship. James Tredwell remains one of the best spinners in the country, but the seam attack has not been helped by injuries to Azhar Mahmood and Robbie Joseph, who has been limited to just five championship appearances in the last two seasons. The hope must be that Dewald Nel picks up where he left off at the end of last summer, when he took 6-62 and 3-57 against Yorkshire at Headingley. That match was also notable for Alex Blake's maiden first-class century, but the Spitfires are not short of batting muscle. Geraint Jones, Rob Key, Darren Stevens and Martin van Jaarsveld should all prosper against the weaker bowling attacks in Division Two, while Denly and Northeast remain future stars in the making.
Ins: Daniel Bell-Drummond, Sam Billings, Adam Riley and Ashley Shaw.
Outs: Paul Dixey, Phil Edwards, Rob Ferley, James Hockley, Amjad Khan (Sus) and Warren Lee.
Overseas 2011: Kent coach Paul Farbrace has said that the county are unlikely to sign an overseas player this season.
Could miss the start of the season: Robbie Joseph (shoulder).
Other news: Kent have a new-look logo in which the Invicta horse features in a shield designed in the club's traditional colours of maroon and blue. The Kent year were formed - 1870 - has also been added.
LV County Championship Div Two - 9-2.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 16-1.

LANCASHIRE
2011 may not have started well for the red rose county, with the re-development of Old Trafford mired by a judicial review of the planning permission granted to the Club last year. But, hopefully, the green light will be given soon so that attention can turn to capturing a first piece of silverware since 1999. For that to happen, more enterprise will need to be shown with the bat - the last Lancashire players to hit over one thousand runs in a championship summer were Paul Horton and Stuart Law in 2007. The evergreen Glen Chapple has hinted that he might only play in a handful of one-day games this term. It will well worth it if it means he can bag 52 championship wickets at 19.75 again. Gary Keedy and Simon Kerrigan, who is certainly one for the future, offer a real spin threat. If they do forge a productive alliance it will also bring on Gareth Cross, who replaces Luke Sutton behind the stumps. Capable of challenging in all three competitions.
Ins: Andrea Agathangelou.
Outs: Andrew Flintoff, Daren Powell and Luke Sutton (Der).
Overseas 2011: Farveez Maharoof (SL).
Could miss the start of the season: James Anderson (ordered to rest by England management) and Stephen Moore (shoulder).
Other news: Lancashire will play seven of their eight home matches in the County Championship at Liverpool, Southport and Blackpool. As part of the redevelopment of Old Trafford, the square will be reoriented 90 degrees to prevent play being lost due to the setting sun in September. So, after 153 years of cricket being played on wickets running east-west, players and spectators are going to have to adjust to a new north-south axis. Lancashire are one of the counties rumoured to be considering taking part in a six-a-side indoor cricket tournament at London's O2 Arena next winter. The organisers believe the competition will net each participating county around £100,000.
LV County Championship Div One - 15-2.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 14-1.

LEICESTERSHIRE
At times in 2010, turmoil off the field at Grace Road seemed to take precedence over how Leicestershire were performing on the pitch. Admittedly, most of the Foxes' one-day performances were best forgotten, but it should not be overlooked that overseas signing, Andrew McDonald, who returns for a second stint, only made three appearances in FPt20, but left his mark on all of them. In the County Championship, Leicestershire enjoyed their best finish since 2006, but that did not prevent their coach, Tim Boon jumping ship before he was pushed. Durham University opener Greg Smith made a real impact in the closing weeks of the 2010 campaign. The diminutive James Taylor remains the best batsman in his age group, as does Nathan Buck with the ball. Last summer Buck was outshone by slow left-armer Claude Henderson and skipper Matthew Hoggard, who at 38 and 34 respectively, proved they still have much to offer. Leicestershire have even reason to be heading into the new season feeling optimistic.
Ins: None.
Outs: James Benning, Sam Cliff, Andrew Harris, Dan Masters and Joel Pope.
Overseas 2011: Andrew McDonald (Aus).
New captain/coach: Phil Whitticase succeeds Tim Boon as coach.
Could miss the start of the season: Harry Gurney (hamstring), Andrew McDonald (IPL), Paul Nixon (knee) and Wayne White (side strain).
Other news: Leicestershire are targeting former members as they set about building support for the coming season. The Foxes' new chief executive, Mike Siddall, has said: "We will be getting in touch with lapsed members asking them if they want to come back. We need to do that. We need to get back in touch with those people, who, for whatever reason have let their membership lapse."
LV County Championship Div Two - 14-1.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 40-1.

MIDDLESEX
Although Middlesex will need to adjust to life without Owais Shah and Shaun Udal, they would appear to have recruited well; prizing Chris Rogers, currently the most consistent overseas batsmen in county cricket, away from Derbyshire and Corey Collymore, Sussex's player of the year in 2010, away from Hove. But whether Rogers and Collymore can turn their new employers into promotion contenders is open to debate. Tom Smith, Middlesex's likely spin threat, has promised so much for so long, without coming of age. The North Londoners must look beyond their skipper Neil Dexter, the immensely talented left-hander Dawid Malan and Rogers for runs. Furthermore, the jury remains out on keeper-batsman John Simpson. Having said that, any team that boasts Ben Scott as their reserve wicketkeeper can't have many problems in that area. If they get behind Dexter, Middlesex are capable of winning promotion in the championship, but a third straight finish in the bottom half of Division Two would be no less of a surprise.
Ins: Corey Collymore (Sus), Steven Crook, Anthony Ireland (Glo) and Ollie Rayner (Sus, on loan).
Outs: Pedro Collins, Danny Evans, Tyron Henderson, Owais Shah (Ess) and Shaun Udal.
Overseas 2011: Chris Rogers (Aus, with Derbyshire in 2010) and Ryan McLaren (RSA, for Twenty20).
New captain/coach: Neil Dexter continues as captain following Shaun Udal's resignation last June.
Could miss the start of the season: Eoin Morgan (IPL) and Andrew Strauss (ordered to rest by England management).
Other news: New Zealander Iain O'Brien lost an appeal against the ECB's decision not to allow him to be registered as a non-overseas player, despite his wife being English.
LV County Championship Div Two - 7-1.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 20-1.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
It has been a quiet winter at Wantage Road in terms of personnel changes. The only significant departure was that of Nicky Boje, who stood down as captain last May, only to struggle with his slow left-arm spin, which produced a meagre 16 wickets at 53.06 runs apiece in four-day cricket. There has been just one arrival, if you can call it that, with 23-year-old Durham seamer, Luke Evans making his loan move permanent. In the championship, after finishing the 2008 and 2009 seasons in the top half of Division Two, Northants dropped to sixth place last summer; garnering the fewest bowling points of any county. Sri Lankan seamer Chaminda Vaas has been drafted as overseas player to perk up a less than exacting attack, which continues to be short of a decent spinner. With the bat, much will depend, once again, on opener Stephen Peters. Looking for a positive, Northants have reached the last eight in the Twenty20 Cup in five out of the last six seasons.
Ins: Luke Evans (Dur).
Outs: Nicky Boje, Paul Harrison, Vishal Tripathi and David Wigley.
Overseas 2011: Chaminda Vaas (SL) and Johan Botha (RSA, for Twenty20).
New captain/coach: Andrew Hall continues as captain following Nicky Boje's surprise resignation last May.
Could miss the start of the season: Luke Evans (hamstring).
Other news: Northamptonshire are taking first team cricket back to Milton Keynes this summer after a three-year absence. Campbell Park will host their home FPt20 clash with Worcestershire on June 29.
LV County Championship Div Two - 9-1.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 25-1.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Other than the blip they suffered in 2006, Nottinghamshire have been the most consistent side in the County Championship in recent times. Last year they clinched the title, after finishing second two summers on the trot, thanks to a superb start. But, with Somerset snapping at their heels, the Trent Bridge outfit very nearly tripped up in the closing weeks of the campaign. One suspects that Notts will need to be quick out of the traps again if they are hold on to their crown. Even without Ryan Sidebottom, who returns to Yorkshire, the bowling attack looks as potent as any around. But the batting is a worry. Last year it depended heavily on the overseas player and Chris Read contributing some vital knocks at number six. Western Australian, Adam Voges is inked in as the main overseas signing for 2011. With Victoria's David Hussey, who had a phenomenal FPt20 campaign in 2010, lined up as the second foreign registration, a first T20 title cannot be ruled out.
Ins: Scott Elstone, Ben Phillips (Som) and Riki Wessels (subject to clearance from the ECB).
Outs: Bilal Shafayat, Ryan Sidebottom (Yor) and Matt Wood.
Overseas 2011: Adam Voges (Aus, for the first half of the season) and David Hussey (Aus, for the second half of the season).
Could miss the start of the season: Stuart Broad (side strain) and Graeme Swann (ordered to rest by England management).
Other news: Batsman Mark Wagh has already announced that he will retire at the end of the 2011 season, to pursue a legal career.
LV County Championship Div One - 4-1.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 10-1.

SOMERSET
Runners-up in all three competitions last summer, including missing out in the championship, despite finishing level on points with Notts, Somerset will no doubt be looking to go one better. For the first time since winning promotion in 2007, Marcus Trescothick's men replicated their consistency in the limited-overs arena over four days. With the acquisition of two quality seamers in Geemal Hussain and Steve Kirby, from neighbours Gloucestershire, the cidermen appear to be even stronger. Nobody has scored more first-class runs and hundreds in the last two seasons than Trescothick. James Hildreth is, at last, fulfilling the promise he has exuded with the bat. Big-hitting Craig Kieswetter and Peter Trego are also weapons, while Arul Suppiah continues to chip in on a consistent basis. With the ball, slow left-armer Murali Kartik returns as overseas player. If he, along with seamers Alfonso Thomas and Charl Willoughby come close to repeating what they achieved in 2010, then 2011 should be a highly memorable year for the Taunton faithful.
Ins: George Dockrell, Gemaal Hussain (Glo) and Steve Kirby (Glo).
Outs: Zander de Bruyn (Sur), Robin Lett, Michael Munday, Ben Phillips (Not), David Stiff and Mark Turner (Der).
Overseas 2011: Ajantha Mendis (SL, for the opening weeks of the season), Murali Kartik (Ind, for the remainder of the campaign) and Kieron Pollard (WI, for Twenty20).
Could miss the start of the season: George Dockrell (shoulder), Steve Kirby (calf) and Alfonso Thomas (IPL).
Other news: Richard Gould has left Somerset to take up the position of Chief Executive at Surrey. During Gould's five years in Taunton, Somerset became one of the most financially stable clubs in the country, despite the disadvantage of not hosting international cricket.
LV County Championship Div One - 7-2 fav.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 7-1 fav.

SURREY
Seventh place in Division Two of the County Championship, which is where Surrey have finished the last two campaigns, does not appear to suggest that a return to past glories is just around the corner for the Oval outfit. With Mark Ramprakash and Kevin Pietersen likely to miss the opening weeks of the season, Surrey will need Rory Hamilton-Brown, Jason Roy, plus new signings Zander de Bruyn and Tom Maynard to deliver with the bat if promotion in the championship is to feature on their radar for the duration of the 2011 campaign. The arrival of Yasir Arafat means that the seam attack is likely to be as good as any around. Jade Dernbach and Chris Tremlett both enjoyed successful winters with the England Lions and England respectively. However, Surrey's front-line spinners, Gareth Batty and Chris Schofield, appear to be more suited to the limited-overs arena, where a tilt at the 40League and the FPt20 offer a more realistic route to success for the South Londoners.
Ins: Zafar Ansari, Rory Burns, Zander de Bruyn (Som), Tom Maynard (Gla) and Kevin Pietersen (Ham).
Outs: Usman Afzaal, Laurie Evans (War), Andre Nel and Stewart Walters (Gla).
Overseas 2011: Yasir Arafat (Pak, with Sussex in 2010) and Shaun Tait (Aus, with Glamorgan in 2010, for Twenty20).
Could miss the start of the season: Kevin Pietersen (hernia), Mark Ramprakash (knee) and Chris Tremlett (ordered to rest by England management).
Other news: Kennington Oval, the Foster's Oval, the AMP Oval, the Brit Oval… now it's the KIA Oval.
LV County Championship Div Two - 3-1 fav.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 10-1.

SUSSEX
The cream of Division Two in 2010, Sussex secured an immediate return to the championship's top flight, winning half their games. With the bat, Chris Nash finished the season in dazzling four-day form. Murray Goodwin was consistent throughout, while Ed Joyce's performances suggested his move down from Middlesex was just what was required. But, due to England one-day calls, skipper Michael Yardy never really got going. On the bowling front, Corey Collymore was ultra-dependable and is sure to be missed even with the arrival of Amjad Khan, from Kent, and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Wayne Parnell sharing the overseas berth. Another hole that needs filling is created by Robin Martin-Jenkins's decision to go into teaching. That said, with Luke Wright seemingly fading from the England selectors' thoughts, he could well prove to be a key player for the Martlets in 2011. To underline their strength in the shorter form of the game, the Sharks have lost just six of their last 25 matches in 40-over cricket.
Ins: Naved Arif, Amjad Khan (Ken), Lou Vincent and Kirk Wernars.
Outs: Ragheb Aga, Corey Collymore (Mid), Chad Keegan, James Kirtley, Robin Martin-Jenkins, Ollie Rayner (Mid, on loan) and Michael Thornely.
Overseas 2011: Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (Pak, for the first half of the season) and Wayne Parnell (RSA, for the second half of the season).
Could miss the start of the season: Lewis Hatchett (hamstring), Matt Prior (ordered to rest by England management) Luke Wright (knee) and Michael Yardy (availability subject to consultation between the player, Sussex and the England medical staff).
Other news: Hove has been re-named the PROBIZ County Ground. Meanwhile, in their search for fresh blood Sussex appear to have looked almost exclusively overseas, having signed a Dane, a New Zealander, a Pakistani and a South African.
LV County Championship Div One - 8-1.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 8-1.

WARWICKSHIRE
The Bears have been one of the stand-out sides in 40-over cricket in recent times, but falling at the quarter-final stage of the Twenty20 Cup seems to have become a recurring theme. After scoring the fewest batting points of any county in last year's championship, Warwickshire have strengthened in that area, especially as Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott are likely to be away on England duty for much of the season. Pakistan's Younis Khan has been pencilled in as overseas player, Ireland's captain and opener, Will Porterfield moves up the M5 from Gloucestershire, while Laurie Evans joins from Surrey. But, without Imran Tahir's leg-spin to call upon, new skipper Jim Troughton is unlikely to have an attack at his disposal as potent as the one Ian Westwood enjoyed last term. If Warwickshire are to preserve their top-flight status in the four-day arena, much could hinge on up and coming seamers Andy Miller and Steffan Piolet forging an alliance with spearhead Chris Woakes.
Ins: Laurie Evans (Sur) and Will Porterfield (Glo).
Outs: Calum MacLeod and James Ord.
Overseas 2011: Mohammad Yousuf (Pak, for the opening weeks of the season) and Younis Khan (Pak, with Surrey in 2010, for the remainder of the campaign).
New captain/coach: Jim Troughton takes over from Ian Westwood as captain.
Could miss the start of the season: Ian Bell (ordered to rest by England management), Neil Carter (pelvis) and Jonathan Trott (ordered to rest by England management).
Other news: Warwickshire are searching for a prestige sponsor to have their name associated with the brand new £32 million Pavilion End complex at Edgbaston. The development is due to be completed in time for the 3rd Test against India in August.
LV County Championship Div One - 12-1.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 11-1.

WORCESTERSHIRE
The odds being offered on Worcestershire, who have never managed to stay in Division One of the County Championship, suggest they are in store for a long hard summer. With just two centuries to show for his last 64 visits to the crease in four-day cricket, Vikram Solanki owes the Pears big time. On the plus side, Moeen Ali, Alex Kervezee and skipper Daryl Mitchell are all coming off their best seasons to date with the bat. Furthermore, 20-year-old right-hander Neil Pinner was the leading run-scorer in last year's Second XI Championship. But the bowling lacks consistency, especially when seamers Matt Mason and Alan Richardson are crocked, which they seem to be all too frequently these days. Little surprise, then, that the overseas berth will be occupied by a proven bowler. Australia's Damien Wright, who had profitable spell with Somerset last summer, will start the campaign, while Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has been lined up for the second half of the season.
Ins: Matt Pardow and Neil Pinner.
Outs: Imran Arif and Ben Smith.
Overseas 2011: Damien Wright (Aus, with Somerset in 2010, for the first half of the season), Saeed Ajmal (Pak, for the second half of the season) and Shakib Al Hasan (Bang, for Twenty20).
New captain/coach: Daryl Mitchell continues as captain following Vikram Solanki's resignation last August.
Other news: Worcestershire made a profit of £103,600 in 2010. However, they have placed the development of a 120-bed hotel at New Road on hold until after the season has finished.
LV County Championship Div One - 33-1.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 33-1.

YORKSHIRE
One suspects Yorkshire would settle now for mirroring their exploits in 2010, which culminated in them finishing third in Division One of the County Championship and qualifying for the semi-finals of the 40League. Having come to depend on the runs scored by Jacques Rudolph - who leaves after four seasons by mutual consent - it will be interesting to see whether Joe Sayers is capable of rediscovering the form he displayed at the top of the order in 2009. The Tykes will also need Adam Lyth, who, almost overnight, went from being a fringe player to batting lynchpin in 2010, to continue putting forward his case for England call-up. Despite averaging 43.10 with the bat, somehow a maiden first-class hundred still eludes Johnny Bairstow, who, at 21, has a very bright future ahead of him as a keeper-batsman. The majority of Yorkshire's bowling attack also have time on their side, and will certainly benefit from the experience of the returning Ryan Sidebottom.
Ins: Gurman Randhawa and Ryan Sidebottom (Not).
Outs: Jacques Rudolph.
Overseas 2011: TBC.
Could miss the start of the season: Tim Bresnan (ordered to rest by England management), Anthony McGrath (knee) and Ajmal Shahzad (hamstring).
Other news: Yorkshire's electronic scoreboard operator, Duncan Eccles, has resigned in protest over the fact he cannot see the scoreboard from his seat in the ground. Eccles, who worked at Yorkshire for 22 years, has quit because his position in the new £21m Carnegie Pavilion does not allow him to view the equipment he is operating, even though he flagged up the problem before work even started on the pavilion.
LV County Championship Div One - 6-1.
Clydesdale Bank 40League - 10-1.

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