Three days left and counting until the 2012 County season finally gets under way! This moment has been long awaited since September last year, and we can now breathe a sigh of relief as the nights are getting lighter, welcoming six full months of cricket. With 18 counties fighting for supremacy in the LVCC Championship format in their respective division, we also welcome the delights of the CB40 and T20 competitions. Here is how the Championship divisions currently stand; with Hampshire and Yorkshire relegated last season, Division 1 makes way for newly promoted Surrey and Middlesex –
Division 1:
Durham, Lancashire, Middlesex, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex, Warwickshire, Worcestershire
Division 2:
Derby, Essex, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Yorkshire
With such a vast array of talent on show, each county game provides plenty of entertainment. Still, all eyes will undoubtedly be on last year’s competition winners:
LVCC Division 1 – Lancashire
LVCC Division 2 – Middlesex
CB40 – Surrey Lions
T20 – Leicestershire Foxes
However, here are my top 5 teams for 2012, with a preview of how their season may fair, along with the young talent to look out for…
- Leicestershire – Not at their best in the Championship, Leicestershire were at the bottom of the Division 2 table last year, only winning one of their sixteen games. Their luck didn’t change even in the 40-over competition, coming in 6th out of 7th with 6 points compared to Surrey’s 21. So why are they appearing in my top 5? Take a look at their achievements in the T20 format, champions once again; they prove they have what it takes to go all the way. Losing James Taylor and Harry Gurney to Nottinghamshire, the Foxes will be without two crucial players, but this time year they will have to prove their worth in the Championship.
Young player to watch: Nathan Buck – Selected for the England Lions and the EPP (England Performance Programme) in the winter, Buck will be vital for Leicester this year, providing them with a quality quick bowler.
- Nottinghamshire – A mediocre performance in the LVCC in 2011, after becoming champions the previous year proved to be disappointing for the Outlaws. Their limited over performances it would have to be said were their highlights, 2nd in the table in their CB40 group, and reaching the quarterfinals of the T20. They will certainly be looking to improve across all formats in 2012, and signing Taylor, Gurney and Michael Lumb (Hampshire), they definitely have the talent to do so. A formidable batting line up for Notts, they may just be the team to beat in at least one format this year.
Young player to watch: James Taylor – Tipped to be one day the number 6 for England in the Test arena, Taylor is currently captaining the England Lions. A great young talent, I can’t wait to see what he will offer the Outlaws, after his move from the Foxes.
- Somerset – Also seeming to be the runners-up in each competition, Somerset once again failed to claim any silverware in the 2011 season, and came just 4th in the Championship despite having the leading run-scorer in Trescothick, with 1673 runs. Will they ever be able to cross the line, and win a final? We will just have to wait and see, but with the power hitters and death bowlers, it is hard to pinpoint where they are going wrong. I wonder if it will be Somerset’s season this year.
Young player to watch: Jos Buttler – It had to be Jos for me, a wonderful talent and a supreme striker of the ball, Jos has already starred in the senior England side. He will surely play his part for Somerset and for England in 2012.
- Warwickshire – Narrowly missing out on the LVCC title to Lancashire, Warwickshire will want nothing more than going one-step further to claim the Championship. Another point Warwickshire will be keen to prove is that of their limited over performance, CB40 winners in 2010 the Bears came 5th last year, whilst they were second from the bottom in the T20 table, which was more than disappointing. An all-round improvement is hopefully what we will see, and some silverware would be rather nice too.
Young player to watch: Chris Woakes – Yes, unfortunately for the Bears Woakes suffered an injury over on the Bears pre-season tour in Barbados, which means he’ll miss the start of the season. However, I believe he will definitely feature greatly for the Bears, a fantastic talent.
- Yorkshire – Relegated into the 2nd Division after a poor season in the Championship, Yorkshire also failed to get anywhere within the limited over formats. The reason they have featured in my top 5 for 2012 is due to the fact that they had a great pre-season tour in Barbados, winning the T20 cup and beating the Bears in the process. Looking impressive over in the Caribbean I have a feeling that this Yorkshire side can achieve something this year. Their main goal will be for sure to get back into the top division of the Championship, but they may also show off their talent in the CB40 or T20 also.
Young player to watch: Joe Root – There is some great young talent over at Yorkshire, but Root I feel will play an important role, after his first full and successful season in 2011. After the experience gained from the Lions, Root I feel will be a stand out performer this year.
So there are my teams to look out for, and for those of you who are Lancashire fans, don’t worry I think they too will have a great season. They can’t improve on their Championship form, the shorter formats will be their priority this year, and Simon Kerrigan is the one to watch, especially after his turn with the Lions these past 12 months! It must be said that I am excited for what is to come this season, there is some great talent out there, and with some of the scheduled overseas players, it will be a fantastic year for cricket. Also, if the weather forecasts are anything to go by with snow predicted, the season may even be delayed – I sure hope it isn’t, our wait has long been enough… roll on April 5th!
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