2014 County Championship predictions.

Derbyshire:

Wayne Madsen.

Key player: Wayne Madsen (1,221 runs and 10 wickets)

Prediction (4th): They have a strong case to bounce back to the first division after being relegated last year. The quality of their batting is arguably the greatest in Division Two with key figures like Chanderpaul, North, Durston and of course the acquisition of Moore will only add to this. The only reason they may struggle is due to lack of wicket taking potential. 

Durham:

Scott Borthwick.

Key Player: Scott Borthwick (1,022 runs and 28 wickets)

Prediction (5th): The current holders of the Championship title. The recent successes of Borthwick and Stokes in the international set-up demonstrates that Durham have a bright future. It will be tough to match-up to last year and the role of particular players like Onions will be integral to their championship season. Their home ground is a renowned for producing results, but they will need to be on the right end of them to replicate their fortunes.

Essex:

Graham Napier.

Key Player: Graham Napier (796 runs and 48 wickets)

Prediction (2nd): With one of the most experienced teams in their division Essex are hoping to replicate their strong performance from last season. With Bopara extending his contract and other key figures such as Foster still around, they will be a difficult team to beat and are likely to be a strong batting outfit. Napier leads a ruthless bowling line-up, with the experience of Masters and Panesar complimented by the youth of Topley and Mills. 

Glamorgan:

Key Player: Jim Allenby (1,116 runs and 26 wickets)

Jim Allenby.

Prediction (8th): Despite finishing eighth in division two last year, Glamorgan have a respectable team with a number of emerging players. However, they have along way to go before they will be able to compete in this division and are unlikely to challenge for promotion. The signing of Jacques Rudolph will give a much needed boost to their batting line-up and he will be a big part of their team this season.

Gloucestershire:

Alex Gidman.

Key Player: Alex Gidman (1,125 runs and 1 wicket)

Prediction (6th): Gloucestershire failed to maintain their fortunes after a strong start to the season and like so many teams suffered from drawing too many matches. They have a competitive squad in the context of their league but need to seize opportunities to be successful. A good mix of youth and experience, but they might need another season to full establish themselves as a serious threat in this division.

Hampshire:

James Vince.

Key Player: Jame Vince (1,101 runs and 9 wickets)

Prediction (1st): This is a team with a really good reason to compete this year. They have plenty of batting talent and so much depth in their bowling. The signing of Kyle Abbot seems a smart move from Hampshire, but he will need to take 50 wickets to back up the experience of Carberry, McKenzie and Adams with the bat. James Vince has added responsibility this season and has good reason to be considered for an England call-up. 

Kent:

Darren Stevens.

Key Player: Darren Stevens (1,268 runs and 32 wickets)

Prediction (5th): Kent finished with the least amount of bowling points and after a disappointing season with the ball, the acquisition of Doug Bollinger will help Kent’s 2014 campaign. Darren Stevens has been cleared of match fixing allegations and his all-round experience will be crucial this year. A number of up and coming batsmen such as Billings and Bell-Drummond will give them an all-round presence.

Lancashire:

Key Player: Kyle Hogg (241 runs and 60 wickets)

Kyle Hogg.

Prediction (4th): The absence of Simon Katich will hit the 2011 champions hard but they have plenty of batting talent to suffice. Anderson will be available for a potential of seven games, which is certain to strengthen their impressive bowling attack of Chapple, Hogg and Kerrigan, who all claimed 50 wickets last year. The goal will initially be to avoid relegation, but if they get off to a good start then they could be dangerous. The acquisition of Jos Buttler will also give them an experienced replacement for Gareth Cross behind the stumps.

Leicestershire:

Key Player: Ned Eckersley (1,275 runs and 2 wickets)

Ned Eckersley.

Prediction (9th): Finishing rock bottom last year was an adequate reflection of their season. Leicestershire failed to win a single match and the absence of Shiv Thakor for the start of the season puts them on the back foot before a ball has been bowled. Ned Eckersley proved to be the only player to demonstrate any confidence with the bat and can also keep wicket. This season should be similarly difficult, but one has to feel sorry for them, given the number of talent produced at the club exported elsewhere.

Middlesex:

Key Player: Sam Robson (1,180 runs)

Prediction (7th): Players like Sam Robson will arguably be the strongest in the division this season, but the overall strength of the squad may struggle to compete. Rayner, Finn and Morgan all have a responsibility to perform this year or Middlesex might be relegated. Plenty of promise with the ball with the likes of Murtagh, Roland-Jones and Harris to call upon, but not as stable in the batting department.

Steven Crook.

Northamptonshire:

Key Player: Steven Crook (482 runs and 43 wickets)

Prediction (9th): It was a great year to be a Northants fan and moral often plays a big part in a team’s success. If they can carry on from last year, they might be able to survive in a tough league. However, they will be relegation candidates, despite having exciting players such as Crook, Willey and Azharullah. Injuries to Wakely and overseas signing Jackson Bird have severely hampered their pre-season and Willey is far from full match fitness. They will be underdogs in most peoples eyes. 

Nottinghamshire:

Michael Lumb.

Key Player: Michael Lumb (1,037 runs)

Prediction (6th): The all-round strength of the squad, particularly the depth in batting, is often too much for teams but last year was disappointing for Notts as they usually perform well in this format, winning just two of their 16 matches. Siddle will be an integral part of their season as well as Hales, Lumb and captain Read. This year may be a period of re-building after nearly being relegated, but they have a case to prove people wrong with a strong all-round squad.

Somerset:

Key Player: Nick Compton (1,001 runs)

Prediction (8th): Somerset also finished the championship campaign with a number of areas to improve on, particularly the batting. Their side is one of experience but also a lot of youth and it may not suffice if players like Compton, Hildreth and Petersen are the only ones performing. They were lucky to survive last year and are amongst those tipped for relegation in 2014.

Surrey:

Steven Davies.

Key Player: Steven Davies (867 runs)

Prediction (3rd): Relegated last year despite big names like Smith, Amla and Ponting. Lack of investment in the bowling department saw them fail to win enough matches and the Oval is a batsmen’s paradise. Not taking enough wickets to win matches will prevent them from returning to the first division if they are unable to pick up enough wins on the road. Tipped by many to be promoted but it will not be guaranteed. 

Sussex:

Key Player: Chris Nash (1,072 runs and 9 wickets)

Prediction (3rd): A strong team last year in this division, but Magoffin was a big part of their success. Replicating last year will be tough and repeat performances will be required of the same players for them to contest for the title. Wright, Wells, and Nash will be key performers with the bat. Under the influence of Mark Robinson, Sussex have gone from strength to strength but have not won the trophy since 2007 after a golden era. Chris Jordan will also be one to keep an eye on this season depending on his availability. 

Warwickshire:

Key Player: Chris Woakes (640 runs and 31 wickets)

Prediction (1st): Warwickshire are a dangerous batting side, capable of finishing the season with the most batting points if the batsmen apply themselves. They also have an underrated bowling attack and Rankin, Woakes and Wright will allow them to compete as an all-round unit. Jeetan Patel provides them with a useful spinner, also. There are plenty of runs and wickets in this squad and if they can harness their efforts together they will be able to recapture the trophy they won in 2012. 

Moeen Ali.

Worcestershire:

Key Player: Moeen Ali (1,375 runs and 28 wickets) 

Prediction (7th): Mid-table finish was harsh for Worcestershire last season and it may be the best finish they will get for a couple of years now. They are a strong team on their day but often let themselves down with inadequate batting displays and they tend to depend on players like Moeen Ali. Richardson’s absence will also make it difficult for them to win games due to the lack of bowling at the club after his departure. 

Yorkshire:

Key Player: Gary Ballance (1,251 runs)

Gary Ballance. 

Prediction (2nd): Genuine contenders for the title this year, depending on how much of their England talent will be available. Last year proved that Yorkshire are a team with young and promising players, who will be looking to flourish this season. They only just missed out last year and have plenty of batting talent in Williamson, Gale and Ballance and the only reason they will miss out on the title is if they struggle to take wickets. 


Final Standings:

Division One:                                           Division Two:
1. Warwickshire                                        1. Hampshire
2. Yorkshire                                               2. Essex
3. Sussex                                                   3. Surrey
4. Lancashire                                             4. Derbyshire
5. Durham                                                 5. Kent
6. Nottinghamshire                                   6. Gloucestershire
7. Middlesex                                             7. Worcestershire
8. Somerset                                               8. Glamorgan
9. Northamptonshire                                 9. Leicestershire