posted Apr 13, 2008

I think it'll be tight but Sussex will win with Hampshire and Somerset biting at their heels, i dont think the northern counties will have such a good season this year.

Cmon SOMERSET!!!

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posted Apr 14, 2008

I reckon that sussex will win the title easy however durham will give them a run for there money

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posted Apr 14, 2008

Somerset might well make a run at the title, although a lot will depend on their bowling attack: the batting should get piles of runs, but they may struggle to bowl sides out twice, particularly at Taunton.

Durham, with Harmison, Onions and Plunkett could surprise many. Last season Steve Harmison was in lethal early season form for them and this season he has a point to make. Durham's good run last year was to a large degree down to the early season momentum that Harmison gave them.

Sussex I am not sure about. How much can we read into a two day match in bitterly cold conditions where Sussex almost tripled their first innings score? For them the best news was Luke Wright's early form with bat and, even more interestingly, ball. If Andrew Flintoff continues to struggle, that kind of form may give Andrew Flintoff problems if he wants his England place back.

I can't see Notts or Yorkshire doing too much and am unconvinced by Surrey. Lancashire look a better bet than Hampshire, especially if Andrew Flintoff is overlooked for the New Zealand series and decides to make a point.

In Division 2, Middlesex were bitterly disappointed to miss out on promotion. Right now though they may see it as a blessing because they would have struggled in Division 1. The batting misfired last season and looks weaker this season.

Of the Division 2 sides, Glamorgan may surprise a few as they have made some clever signings of players with a point to prove and, with the lack of class in the division, Worcestershire may bounce straight back up, particularly if they recommission Simon Jones successfully.

I would love to think that Gloucestershire will do something. There are reasons to hope, but I wonder where 20 wickets will come from consistently.

So, in Division 1 it could be any one of Lancashire, Durham, Sussex and Somerset - roughly in that order.

And in Division 2, Glamorgan and Worcester, with just a chance that Gloucestershire could be in the mix if they get a good start.

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posted Apr 14, 2008

I think Surrey are in with a shout if they can add consistency to the batting. Batty, Newman, Ramps and Butcher make a formidable top 4 and with Afzaal keen to prove a point he could be in the runs. A strong tail also helps with Schofield penned in at 7 or 8.

Bowling-wise, there's a bit of a worry but hopefully they'll be fine. Collins is a good aquisition, Nicholson performed well last year but the emergence of Chris Jordan will be interesting, he's quite tasty. Schofield needs to stop bowling long hops but is blinding when on song. Saqlain will be interesting. I hope he gets back to where he was but he hasn't performed for quite a while now.

Elsewhere, there's a lot of teams who can do well this time round. Somerset, Lancs, Notts, Durham all have strong line ups and will be there or there abouts. Harmison, Plunkett and Onions will get Durham all the wickets they need and Chanderpaul will get a lot of runs, it's just a case of how many they can eek out without him or Collingwood. Shane Bond is a big player for Hampshire too as Warne isn't coming back. Could be dark horses.

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posted Apr 14, 2008

Although I might have issues with the dodgy football team you support I do share your enthusiasm for the coming cricket season. My only concern is I'm not sure if we have enough strength in depth, if the first eleven can stay fit all well and good but if we suffer any injuries especially in our bowling attack we could be in trouble.

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posted Apr 14, 2008

How many games will Shane Bond play? He has had spells with Gloucestershire and Worcestershire and, I recall, played only a handful of games in total. In fact, I'm not even sure if he started any games at all for Gloucestershire one of the seasons. Shane Warne was almost always available; Shane Bond is very unlikely to be. If he stays fit he could be devastating on the Rose Bowl pitch but, keeping him fit is a real problem, apart from his Indian links losing him some time at the start of the season.

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posted Apr 14, 2008

I agree, Warne wasnt just a gd player but a gd captain. With tremlett and Bond normally injured, i would rather see the return of clark after his season last year. Then there is the captain, with warne and udal gone and pothas and dimi playing in india could be a bad season for the hawks.

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posted Apr 14, 2008

Bond is penned in to play for us right up until the start of 20/20's, when shane watson will take over from him. So with him now retired from international cricket, and not joining up with the ICL until his contract with us finishes (i think), it will only be any potential injuries that will stop him playing a full part up until his contract ends.

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posted Apr 14, 2008

As a sussex supporter (who lives in kent and goes to university in durham!), methinks they may have a tougher task this year.
As mentioned previously, the retirement of richard montgomerie is a factor. A great servant to the club for 8 years, with plenty of runs as well.
One point i think is also worth pointing out is the Naved Factor: For someone who quite often has only been able to play half a season, to take close to (and sometimes over) 50 wickets is a brilliant acheivement (even outbowling Mushy) - something thtas also going to be missed.
I'm looking forward to how sussex's younger players do. Lots of them came through the youth system - could be a chance to see if this has worked.

Predictions:
Heart says sussex for a hat-trick of titles
Head, like Cricketing_stargazer is tempted to go for Somerset - simply because of their batting, which now has trescothick added to the line-up. Its gonna be a good one.

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posted Apr 16, 2008

Sadly as a Bears fan it doesn't promise to be an instant success with Giles. In my opinion he did too little in the winter to do with signing new players. It's the first game of the season yet already, Poonia, Parker, Powell and Dagget are playing, it really does not bode well.

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