The County Championship seasons begins on Friday and Surrey are red-hot favourites to take the Division One title once again.
Telegraph Sport’s cricket experts predict how the campaign will unfold.
Nick Hoult: Somerset to take Surrey’s title
Div 1 winner: Somerset
It has to happen at some point. Matt Henry is a massive signing for the first half of the season and can get the club off to a flyer before the spinners take over in the late summer months although loss of Sonny Baker is a blow. Can they hold their nerve? Surely they have learned from so many near misses.
Relegated from Div 1: Worcestershire and Essex
Remarkable that Worcestershire stayed up last year after the death of Josh Baker and was credit to their enormous self belief and team spirit but it’s an enormous challenge to repeat the feat. Sussex will find the step up hard but it could be one season too many for Essex’s 2017 championship winning core.
Promoted from Div 2: Lancashire and Middlesex
Lancashire are far too strong for division two, Jimmy Anderson will be licking his lips, when back fit. Adam Hollioake and Darren Lehmann should turn around Kent and Northants but Middlesex have Kane Williamson and added experienced Pakistan Test spinner Zafar Gohar as a non-overseas. Canny winter business.
Player of the season: Tom Banton
He matured last season as an all-format player and can really push for an England recall this summer.
Breakout star: Ben McKinney
Hundred on England Lions tour to Australia has put him top of England’s list. Watch out Zak Crawley.
Top run-scorer: Alex Lees
Probably the most formidable English player in the championship now, James Vince has walked away and is unlikely to miss many games, even if Durham remains a tougher place to score runs than down south.
Leading wicket-taker: Dan Worrall
Expect the Aussie to be knocking on the door of Test selection – for England, not Australia...
Tim Wigmore: Watch out for Rehan Ahmed’s brother
Div 1 winner: Surrey
Even easier than proclaiming India the most likely winners of a global white-ball tournament. Surrey’s depth – with the bat, in their fast bowling stocks and in their lower order – remains unrivalled, though both Durham and Somerset should challenge them.
Relegated from Div 1: Worcestershire and Warwickshire
Neighbours both face tough asks to remain in Division One. For Worcestershire the loss of seam bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith – to Surrey, naturally – is a major blow.
Promoted from Div 2: Lancashire and Middlesex
Lancashire and Middlesex have a modern Test great apiece, in James Anderson and Kane Williamson, and squads that should prove too good for their rivals.
Player of the season: Liam Dawson
Winning this award requires a player who is not playing overseas leagues during the domestic summer, will not play for England, rarely misses games – and, most importantly, is a ...
