2018 Preview - Specsavers County Championship Division One

FULL 2018 FIXTURE LIST

ESSEX

Specsavers County Championship: Division 1 (2017 performance - 1st)

Royal London One-Day Cup: South Group (2017 performance - Semi-finalists)

Vitality T20 Blast: South Group (2017 performance - South Group – 8th)

Captain: Ryan ten Doeschate (all formats)

Head coach: Anthony McGrath

Overseas Players: Peter Siddle (Australia; first five Championship matches); Neil Wagner (New Zealand; from May to end of July with option to extend; all formats); Adam Zampa (Australia; T20 only)

Other Ins: Matt Coles (Kent), Feroze Khushi (Academy)

Outs: Kishen Velani (released)

Man on a Mission - Matt Coles. Three weeks after lifting the Specsavers County Championship trophy, Essex made a decisive, if controversial move to bolster their playing strengths. Into a settled, winning and harmonious squad came the imposing figure of Kent all-rounder Matt Coles, he of well-documented off- and on-field misdemeanours. Some viewed it an unnecessary punt. However, the 27-year-old is at a stage where he needs to put regrets behind him and make his undoubted talents less mercurial, and more consistent. Essex say they have taken him as they find him, and been impressed with his application thus far. It might prove to be an inspired signing.

One to Watch - Adam Zampa. Essex have long fantasised about adding a ‘mystery’ spinner to their T20 armoury. In the Australian leggie Adam Zampa they feel they have found their man. Zampa arrives in mid-summer with a reputation for being hard to get away. Indeed, his economy rate in T20s for Australia is a parsimonious 6.00, rising to 7.05 throughout his career in the shortest format. The Eagles will employ his clever changes of pace and flight variations, as well as his wicket-taking ability, in the middle overs in an attempt to stem the flood of runs which have often been their undoing.

Local Hero - Sam Cook. With approximately two-thirds of the first-team squad coming through the Essex Academy, the champions have an abundance of local heroes. But none arguably more local than Sam Cook, who was born and raised within five minutes of The Cloudfm County Ground in Chelmsford. The strike bowler claimed 18 wickets, and two five-wicket hauls, in the final four Specsavers County Championship games of last season to earn instant ‘hero’ status. With a first professional contract in his back pocket, the 20-year-old former Loughborough University student has the nascent ability to build on that stunning start to his career.

Prospects for 2018

With the exception of Mohammad Amir – and he only played two and a half games in the Championship, albeit one to devastating effect – the champions retain the same squad for their title defence. In addition, the former Australian Test bowler Peter Siddle will play the part of Amir for the first five Championship games after which Neil Wagner returns to reprise his role in the success of 2017. Furthermore, the acquisition of all-rounder Matt Coles will bolster both bowling and batting.

While Essex have the resources necessary to mount a successful campaign, much will depend on the recruitment programmes of Division One rivals who were left foundering by 72 points – and more – last season.

In Alastair Cook, Nick Browne, Tom Westley, Varun Chopra and veteran captain Ryan ten Doeschate, to name just five, Essex have a batting unit that can put runs on the board; with Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer (147 wickets between them), plus Siddle/Wagner and back-up from the likes of Sam Cook, Paul Walter and Matt Quinn, the bowlers are capable of knocking over teams twice. Again, there is more than adequate cover for every position, every eventuality.

The loss of head coach Chris Silverwood to England, while regrettable, may not be so keenly felt as his able deputy Anthony McGrath steps up. The arrival of Dimi Mascarenhas as No2 looks a shrewd move. His experience should improve Essex’s white-ball challenge, particularly in the T20 Blast where Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa has been signed to cut back on runs conceded.

HAMPSHIRE

Specsavers County Championship: Division 1 (2017 performance – 5th)

Royal London One-Day Cup: South Group (2017 performance – 6th in group)

Vitality Blast: South Group (2017 performance - Semi-finals)

Captain: James Vince (all formats)

First Team Coach: Craig White

Director of Cricket: Giles White

Overseas Players: Hashim Amla (first three months), Dale Steyn (brief stints in June and possibly August/September)

Other Ins: Sam Northeast (Kent)

Outs: Michael Carberry (Leics), Will Smith (Durham), George Bailey

Man on a Mission - Rilee Rossouw. Where Kyle Abbott sparkled last season, Kolpak colleague Rilee Rossouw never quite won over the Hampshire members. A 99 with a broken hand on his home debut and a swashbuckling List-A 156 hinted at promise, but a run of ducks along with dual injury setbacks never allowed him to settle. Hampshire’s hierarchy stuck with him at No.3, but with Northeast and Vince earmarked for the upper-order spots, dropping down to No.5 is likely to be a mutually beneficial move. The South African’s brash style is exciting when it comes off and he’ll be desperate to kick-start his career in England having given up on his international ambitions.

One to Watch - Sam Northeast. With reportedly every Division One side queuing up for Sam Northeast this winter, there is the feeling of a coup and something special brewing after Hampshire managed to persuade him to swap Kent for the Ageas Bowl. Fitting in alongside Amla, Vince, Rossouw and Sean Ervine makes him a linchpin in a Galaticos-like order. The big if is whether the former Kent captain can translate big Division Two runs into the top tier - much craved international hopes may finally materialise if he does make the step up.  

Local Hero - Lewis McManus. For all the jibes at ‘Kolpakshire’ aimed at Hampshire last season, the county used a promising number of local talents. Tom Alsop, Joe Weatherley, Felix Organ, Mason Crane, Calvin Dickinson, Liam Dawson, Jimmy Adams, James Vince and Brad Taylor all came through the system. But Lewis McManus is the prospect worth nurturing the most. Dorset-born McManus has no unnecessary flashiness about his game with either bat or gloves but mistakes are rare and he will offer grit in an otherwise glamorous team. Since usurping Adam Wheater in 2016, McManus has become popular both in the dressing room and the stands with the controversial departure of Michael Bates almost clean from the collective memory.

Prospects for 2018

Hampshire will be quietly confident they can end their run of three relegation battles since getting promoted to Division One, having solved their bowling issues last season and put together, on paper, one of the most formidable batting line-ups over the winter. If it all comes together then a title challenge isn’t impossible.

Last year began with a bang with victory over Yorkshire but eventually fizzled out with too many draws stunting an exciting side, with a defeat to Essex having enforced the follow-on a particular low point. There are plenty of players with something to prove to somebody; most notably Vince, Crane, Northeast and Liam Dawson to the England selectors, while stalwarts Jimmy Adams and Sean Ervine may need to fight off the next era. McManus, Alsop, Weatherley, Organ and Taylor are certainly worth keeping an eye on as the future of the county. South African Kyle Abbott was heavily leaned on with his 60 wickets last year - a similar haul this year would be useful.

One-day-wise, Hampshire are still a force to be reckoned with, although an improvement in the Royal London One-Day Cup following 2017’s stuttering campaign will be targeted. Having a fully fit and firing Reece Topley, who will only play white-ball cricket this season, could be a key asset. The Vitality Blast is an unknown quantity, with the county yet to announce their overseas talents, but you can bet Hampshire will be in the mix once again.

LANCASHIRE

Specsavers County Championship: Division 1 (2017 performance - 2nd place)

Royal London One-Day Cup: North Group (2017 performance - Group stage knockout)

Vitality Blast: North Group (2017 performance - Group stage knockout)

Captain: Liam Livingstone 

Coach: Glen Chapple

Director of Cricket: Paul Allott

Overseas Players: Australian seam bowler Joe Mennie arrives for his first taste of county cricket and is available for all competitions until early September. Mennie's compatriot James Faulkner returns to Emirates Old Trafford on a two-year contract for T20 cricket only. The all-rounder was a star of their 2015 Blast title triumph.

Other Ins: Keaton Jennings and Graham Onions - both from Durham

Outs: Luke Procter (Northamptonshire)

Man on a Mission - Haseeb Hameed. Having burst onto the scene during the second half of 2016, the young opener even earning an England Test debut in India later that year, Hameed had a bit of a nightmare last season. He failed to score a century and posted only 513 runs from 12 Championship appearances. 

He lost his England place to Jennings, ironically, and suffered a broken finger in September - for the second time inside 12 months. This season, the Boltonian will be aiming to prove his troubles are very much behind him. Despite the arrival of Jennings, he is expected to continue his opening partnership with Alex Davies.

One to Watch - Saqib Mahmood. Fast bowler Mahmood, Birmingham-born but Rochdale-raised, is highly rated both by Lancashire and England, representing the Lions in Australia and the West Indies this winter. 

He has only played a handful of games in all forms for the Red Rose firsts, but has encouraged.  New director of cricket Allott says: "We all really rate Saqib, but we haven't managed to get as much out of him as we’d like at Lancashire. He's had some injury problems. "I’m a firm believer that he will only learn now by bowling in the first team and at the higher level. "Saqib is one of those who I perceive to be one of Lancashire’s leading lights over the next number of years."

Local Hero - Steven Croft. This season's beneficiary at Old Trafford. Croft was replaced as captain this winter following some sketchy form with the bat in Championship cricket last season. He even made the decision to drop himself for a couple of games. Although he ended last season with a century, he may not start the campaign in the first choice team and will have to fight for his place. But that is what Croft is, a fighter. 

Still central to their limited overs plans. In fact, he hasn't missed a match in T20 or List A cricket since 2006.

Prospects for 2018

With a fair wind, this could be Lancashire's year – maybe even their second Championship win in eight years. 

The Red Rose's batting looks incredibly strong. Hameed, Davies, Jennings and Livingstone have all represented the Lions recently, with the latter currently on England's Test tour of New Zealand. Then you add in former Test duo Shiv Chanderpaul and Dane Vilas.

There are question marks about their bowling. How will they cope without Jarvis and McLaren? Will Mennie settle? Will Onions and Mahmood, two quicks at either ends of their careers, stay fit?

In the spin department, it would seem likely that Stephen Parry and leg-spinner Matt Parkinson, another Lion who ran Mahmood close for One to Watch in this preview, will share the bulk of the duties. That aforementioned fair wind includes international availability.

If they get Jimmy Anderson, especially, and Jos Buttler for a few games surrounding England commitments, they could be hard to stop. Last season could have been very different had they beaten Essex at Chelmsford during the opening week. It was a game they had much the better of until a final day Dan Lawrence hundred ensured a draw.

From there, Lancashire were always a win behind where they needed to be. Buttler's presence would definitely be better served with the white ball. Lightning have barely threatened in List A cricket since reaching the Cheltenham and Gloucester final in 2006, and since lifting the T20 Blast in 2015 they haven't got out of the group stages.

The Lightning are capable of so much more. Now they need to show it.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Specsavers County Championship: Division 1 (2017 performance – Second in Division Two - promoted)

Royal London One-Day Cup: North Group (2017 performance -  Winners)

Vitality Blast: North Group (2017 performance - Winners)

Captain (s): Steven Mullaney in the Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup, Dan Christian returns to lead the T20 side.

Head Coach: Peter Moores

Director of Cricket: Mick Newell

Overseas Players: Ross Taylor (NZ) for first 8 CC matches and RLODC, Dan Christian (Aus) and Ish Sodhi (NZ) for T20

Other Ins: Chris Nash (Sussex) and Paul Coughlin (Durham)

Outs: Chris Read, Michael Lumb and Greg Smith (all retired), Brendan Taylor (returned to Zimbabwe) and Brett Hutton (Northants).

One to Watch - Ross Taylor. New Zealand international Ross Taylor has been secured as the club’s overseas professional for the first part of the season. The Kiwi batsman has enjoyed previous county stints with Durham and Sussex and will join the Trent Bridge ranks for the first eight championship matches and for all of their Royal London One-Day Cup campaign.

Taylor is currently ranked at 11 in the ICC Test rankings for batsman and at seven in the ODI list, a berth cemented by his outstanding recent innings of 181 not out, made against England at Dunedin.

The capture of the stylish stroke-maker should guarantee a significant number of early season runs as Notts look to compete strongly on their return to Division One.

Man on a Mission - Chris Nash. Nottinghamshire have lost a wealth of experience at the top of their batting order with Michael Lumb’s enforced injury retirement, Brendan Taylor’s rebound into international cricket with Zimbabwe and Alex Hales’ decision to opt out of red ball matches.

With big boots to fill, therefore, the decision to recruit Chris Nash from Sussex may be the canniest signing made by any county this winter. Now 34, Nash returns to Division One action with over 11,000 first class runs under his belt. He will relish the prospect of teaming up again with Peter Moores, his former coach at Sussex and can look forward to continuing a prolific sequence of scores at Trent Bridge, where he has a career average of almost 60.

Local Hero - Luke Fletcher. The entire cricket family were sickened by the head injury sustained by Luke Fletcher, in a televised T20 match for the Outlaws last July. Now fully recovered, the Bulwell Bomber, as he is affectionately known by Notts supporters, will be aiming to rediscover his best form and make up for an unwanted absence from the game. A vital cog in the bowling unit, Fletcher has worked hard on his batting in the winter nets and a pre-season hundred in a warm up match in South Africa bodes well.

Prospects for 2018

Even the most partisan of Nottinghamshire supporters won’t be banking on the county repeating their heroics of last season, an unforgettable campaign that secured both white ball trophies and promotion back to the top flight in championship cricket.

Pinning your hopes on exactly how they will fare may be difficult to predict at this early stage though. New captain Steven Mullaney has the unenviable task of succeeding Chris Read at the helm but his charges look more than capable of holding their own in Division One, providing they can get off to a decent start.

Notts begin with three away matches, with trips to Old Trafford, Headingley and Worcester before they can sample any home delights. Picking up points in those contests will be essential but hopes of a fast start have already received a set-back with new recruit Paul Coughlin requiring surgery after sustaining a shoulder injury, whilst on Lions duty.

His absence may give more opportunities in the number eight slot for Luke Wood, a genuine all-rounder who should now push onto greater things, as should Billy Root and Tom Moores.

Root’s century at Sussex, in the final match of last season, went a long way towards securing promotion and he should play a full part this time around, as will Moores, guaranteed to take the gloves.

With a rested Alex Hales promising to show off his precocious white ball talents once again, the Outlaws will certainly be amongst the most entertaining sides to watch in the shorter formats and they should advance to the knock-out stages in both competitions.

SOMERSET

Specsavers County Championship: Division 1 (2017 performance - 6th)

Royal London One-Day Cup: South Group (2017 performance – quarter-finals)

Vitality Blast: South Group (2017 performance – quarter-finals)

Captains: Tom Abell (County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup), Lewis Gregory (Vitality Blast)

Director of Cricket: Andy Hurry

Head Coach: Jason Kerr

Overseas Players: Corey Anderson (Vitality Blast)

Other Ins: Tom Banton, Fin Trenouth (first professional contracts)

Outs: Jim Allenby, Adam Hose, Michael Leask, Ryan Davies

Man on a Mission - Jamie Overton. The 23-year-old pace bowler needs to prove his fitness and durability, having missed the second half of the last two seasons through injury. With Craig Overton having achieved a place in England’s Ashes squad and a call-up for the one-day series against New Zealand during the winter, Jamie will be fired up to follow in his twin brother’s footsteps after gaining England Lions recognition himself. Word coming out of Taunton is that he is really hitting his straps again and a big season lies ahead.

One to Watch - Eddie Byrom. The young Zimbabwean opening batsman grasped his opportunity to open with Marcus Trescothick over the final eight Championship games last season with a series of consistent performances, but a top score of only 56 in 15 innings. At the age of only 20, Byrom, like Trescothick a left-hander, has plenty of time to develop his game and can be expected to benefit greatly from his first summer of county cricket, having shown an excellent temperament against the new ball. The patience is there to build an innings and the next objective is to maintain concentration for longer once he has established himself at the crease.

Local Hero - Jack Leach. Taunton-born and a product of Somerset’s Academy, the 26-year-old left-arm spinner has established himself among the top slow bowlers in the country and begins this season as England’s incumbent Test spinner after his debut in New Zealand. Having overcome the shock of being forced to remodel his action, Leach appears better than ever. His wickets played a huge role Somerset avoiding relegation in the Championship last season, but he is likely to find pitches at Taunton less favourable to spin in the coming campaign.

Prospects For 2018

Having narrowly avoided relegation in the Championship last season, Somerset must shape-up quickly under new director of cricket Andy Hurry and head coach Jason Kerr. But there are good reasons to suppose that the Cidermen will be more competitive in four-day cricket.

Marcus Trescothick is running out of time to achieve his title dream and, at 42, will need no greater incentive. Tom Abell, with a tough first season as skipper behind him, and James Hildreth, free of the extra responsibility of a testimonial year, can be expected to contribute more runs, while Steve Davies has the talent to bounce back from a disappointing first summer at Taunton.

Eddie Byrom and George Bartlett need to build on their breakthrough season, but if Somerset can post decent first innings totals, they have the bowlers to capitalise. A fit-again Jamie Overton and twin brother Craig will lead a pace attack also featuring Lewis Gregory, finally free of a long-standing back problem, and the reliable Tim Groenewald. Jack Leach and Dom Bess have already proved themselves a formidable spin partnership, so the team will be equipped for all conditions.

Corey Anderson impressed at the start of last season’s T20 campaign before a back injury forced him home to New Zealand. He will be looking to make up for lost time, but whether Somerset have enough power hitters to succeed in one-day cricket is open to question.

SURREY 

Specsavers County Championship: Division 1 (2017 performance - 3rd)

Royal London One-Day Cup: (2017 performance - Runners-up)

Vitality Blast: (2017 performance - Quarter-finals)

Captains: Rory Burns and Jade Dernbach (T20)

Head Coach: Michael Di Venuto;

Director of Cricket: Alec Stewart

Overseas Players: Aaron Finch (T20)

Other Ins: Rikki Clarke (Warwickshire), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson

Outs: Dom Sibley (Warwickshire) Kumar Sangakkara (retired), Ravi Rampaul (Derbyshire)

Man on a Mission - Scott Borthwick. While fellow former Durham colleague Mark Stoneman won an England Test debut by the end of last summer, after the pair had moved south together to join Surrey in a bid to further their careers, it wasn’t a memorable campaign for Scott Borthwick. Indeed, quite the opposite. Borthwick’s patchy 2017 brought him just 446 championship runs at 24.77 from his 12 matches, and a mere four wickets at 86.75. For a player who is now, at 28, approaching his peak and has such a fine record – more than 7,500 first-class runs, almost 200 wickets, a Test appearance in Australia in 2013-14 and two championship-winning medals with Durham – it was a disappointing return. It surely cannot happen again.

One to Watch - Sam Curran. The younger Curran will not turn 20 until early June, but remarkably is already regarded as a core member of Surrey’s teams in all three formats. Since his debut at just-turned-17, in 2015, Curran has scored more than 1,000 first-class runs and is close to taking 100 wickets; in all cricket his tallies are double those, and he has also represented England Lions regularly and, last winter, an England XI. Expect his whippy left-arm swing and fast-maturing middle-order batting to continue to catch the eye – and increasingly to influence matches. This boy-man is both a natural talent and a natural competitor.

Local Hero - Rory Burns. It would be difficult to be more Surrey than the new captain; born in Epsom, the 27-year-old first played for the county at the age of eight and, since then, has progressed all the way through the age group ranks. Made his senior debut in 2011 and, on the back of cementing his place at the top of Surrey’s championship batting order with four successive seasons of 1,000 first-class runs or more – he scored 1,041 at 49.57 last year – he was named as Gareth Batty’s successor last winter after confirming his leadership credentials as vice-captain.

Prospects for 2018

There is a bullish mood at the Kia Oval, despite the loss of the peerless Kumar Sangakkara to retirement following the Sri Lanka legend’s 1,491 championship runs in 2017, at an average of 106.50 and with eight centuries. He was almost equally prolific in 50-over cricket. Mitch Marsh, the combative Australia all-rounder, promised to be a good fit - but now he has suffered a badly-timed injury, sending Stewart and Di Venuto back to the drawing board. Watch this space!

The team will expect top-order run-getting from new captain Burns, plus Stoneman, Borthwick, Jason Roy, Ben Foakes and the highly-promising Ollie Pope. In the absence of Marsh, they will be looking for significant all-round contributions from Rikki Clarke, Ryan Patel and the Curran brothers; additional pace from Stuart Meaker, Jade Dernbach, Matt Dunn, Conor McKerr and Mat Pillans; and good spin options from the veteran Batty and younger talents like Amar Virdi and Freddie van den Bergh.

Aaron Finch, the big-hitting Australian, will return for T20 action. Excellent showings in both red and white-ball competition last season, including a third consecutive appearance in the Royal London One-Day Cup final at Lord’s, has ramped up hopes of a trophy this year, and the club’s younger thrusters – the Currans, Roy, Foakes, and even Burns himself – are certainly experienced enough now to take the team to the next level. The first hurdle for Surrey and Burns to clear, however, is convincing supporters and pundits alike that they can still flourish without the reassuring presence of Sangakkara, and his mountain of runs.

WORCESTERSHIRE

Specsavers County Championship: Division 1 (2017 performance – Division Two champions)

Royal London One-Day Cup: North Group (2017 performance – Semi-finals)

Vitality Blast: North Group (2017 performance – 8th)

Captain: Joe Leach

Head Coach: Kevin Sharp

Overseas Players: Travis Head, Martin Guptill, Callum Ferguson

Other Ins: Steve Magoffin (Sussex)

Out: Alexei Kervezee

Man on a Mission - Joe Clarke. he has never made a secret of his desire to play for England and, after three successive winters with the Lions, is keen to impress and become the next cab on the rank in the scramble for batting places. His performances in the North-South Series bode well. Clarke has also upped his T20 game and was Worcestershire’s leading run-scorer in 2017 after being converted into an opener.

One to Watch - Dillon Pennington. The paceman impressed when sharing the new ball during the recent ICC Under-19 World Cup. He is currently on a scholarship at University Of Worcester but has set his sights on making his first team breakthrough this summer.

Recently signed a two year contract with the County to come into effect from October 2018.

Local Hero - Joe Leach. has enjoyed three superb years and enabled the County to fill the gap left in their attack after the retirement of Alan Richardson – now back at Blackfinch New Road as Head Bowling Coach.

Leach has taken 193 Championship wickets during that period and led from the front in his first season as captain in 2017. Will aim to do so again as Worcestershire aim to stop yo-yoing between the two divisions.

Prospects for 2018

It is a new era at Blackfinch New Road and a new look coaching team in Head Coach Kevin Sharp, Head Bowling Coach Alan Richardson and Second Eleven Coach Alex Gidman.

They have quickly gelled together alongside new CEO and former County spinner Matthew Rawnsley and there is a quiet optimism about the prospects for 2018.

Worcestershire want to cease to be a side which see-saws between the divisions – not quite good enough for Division One but always a strong candidate for promotion.

The majority of the squad also featured in 2015 when the County were competitive in the top flight but just failed to avoid the drop.

They are still young in years but now have considerable experience under their belts and the achievements of Essex in their first season after promotion have not gone unnoticed.

Worcestershire certainly appear to have the firepower to take wickets with Steve Magoffin, Joe Leach, Josh Tongue and Ed Barnard likely to start the season but they have a crop of up and coming talent in the pace department.

The likes of Pat Brown, George Scrimshaw and Dillon Pennington plus more senior pros like Jack Shantry and Charlie Morris will also be in with a shout.

Batting-wise, Worcestershire will be strengthened by the recruitment of Australian left hander Travis Head and will rely on former captain Daryl Mitchell to provide a solid platform at the top of the order after his seven hundreds last summer. They will also hope Tom Fell can recapture the form that brought him 1,000 plus Division One runs in 2015.

Worcestershire will be looking to emulate their excellent achievement in 2017 of topping the North Group in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

There is also a determination to improve on two disappointing T20 Blast campaigns after reaching three quarter-finals in the previous five years – with the signings of Guptill and Ferguson raising the stakes.

YORKSHIRE

Specsavers County Championship: Fourth place

Royal London One-Day Cup: Beaten quarter-finalists 

Vitality Blast: North Group (2017 performance - Group stage knockout)

Captain: Gary Ballance

Coach: Andrew Gale

Director of Cricket: Martyn Moxon

Overseas players: Yorkshire have had their availability issues with imports in the last few years, with goalposts changing on numerous deals. But they are hoping three players will see them through 2018.

They have signed batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara and Kane Williamson to see them through Championship, one-day action and the majority of the T20 Blast.

India's Pujara will start the season and play four-day and one-day cricket before being replaced by New Zealand skipper Williamson in July. He will play four Championship and eleven Blast group games. 

Their specialist T20 overseas is towering Australia fast bowler Billy Stanlake, a Big Bash winner with Adelaide this winter.

Other Ins and Outs: Very little to report. 

Towards the end of last season when things weren't going the way Gale and Moxon wanted, there was talk of incomings and outgoings at Emerald Headingley. But that hasn't happened.

The pair have decided to show faith in the players they have, challenging them to prove last season's flirt with relegation in the Championship was a one off for the champions of 2014 and 2015.

However, all-rounder Will Rhodes, far from a first-team regular in any competition, has left to join the Warwickshire revolution.

Man on a Mission - Adam Lyth. There are a number you could choose for this after the disappointments of 2017 - Lyth’s opening partner Alex Lees maybe, even new ball seamer Jack Brooks. 

One must confess that David Willey was the original choice for this section before signing his IPL deal, but Lyth is just as worthy of a place here. Last summer, he scored only 555 Championship runs, a far cry from the form of 2014 which earned him a place in the home Ashes series the following year.

If he and Lees can flourish against the new ball, it will really set Yorkshire up and definitely entertain the Headingley faithful in the process. When this left-hander from Whitby is in full flow, there are few better.

One to Watch - Matthew Fisher. A seam bowler who has been earmarked for great things since making his first-team debut aged just 15 back in 2013, the now 20-year-old was struck down by hamstring troubles the season before last. It impacted upon his involvement last year as workloads were managed. But he played the last two Championship games and impressed - with the bat as well.

Fisher has previously shown his capabilities with the white ball, and he warmed up for this season in Barbados by playing in the ECB's North v South series and for the MCC in the champion county clash with Essex.

Unfortunately, he will miss the start of the campaign with a side injury, but it is a long summer and there is plenty of time for him to return and fly. 

Local Hero - Adil Rashid. The leg-spinning all-rounder's tag of 'hero' at Headingley has come under threat following his decision to forgo Championship cricket and concentrate on his limited overs game.

He has received plenty of criticism on social media, while his call did surprise the likes of Gale and Moxon. Rashid insists giving up red ball cricket is not a permanent arrangement, and it will be fascinating to see how this summer pans out for the mercurial Bradfordian.

If he doesn't perform in the RL50 and the Blast, he may well come under further fire from the members and supporters.

Prospects for 2018

Going back to 2014 and 2015 for a second, even 2016 when they ran Middlesex oh so close, Yorkshire were red hot pre-season title favourites. They were the standout team. The last couple of years, however, Division One has become much more competitive, and they were left behind last term.

Following the departure of coach Jason Gillespie at the end of 2016, Moxon accepted the squad was set for a period of transition, with a number of seamers top side of 30.

That included retired Sidebottom alongside the likes of Brooks, Patterson, and Plunkett. Unfortunately, that period of transition hit the county much quicker than expected, meaning an incredibly difficult first season in charge for former captain Gale.

Let's be honest, a fourth-placed finish in the Championship flattered the White Rose. A two-point gap to relegated Middlesex in seventh was perhaps a fairer reflection. Yorkshire should be better for that fright, and they could easily be title challengers. Again, a lot depends on England call-ups.

But, going back to the original point, they are not favourites. 

White ball cricket was a head scratcher for the Vikings last season. Beaten by Surrey at home in the 50-over quarter-final, they then played some breathtaking T20 and, amazingly, failed to get out of the group.

They topped 200 four times in an innings, including a record-breaking 260 against Northants at home.

The county have to be amongst the favourites for both limited overs competitions.