County Championship 2018 preview (part 2)

With the season starting at home on Friday (13 April), here’s the second part of the ECB Reporters’ Network preview of the 2018 Specsavers County Championship Division Two.

2016 county champions Middlesex and Warwickshire join Division Two this year in the race for promotion to the top flight.

LEICESTERSHIRE
Specsavers County Championship Division Two: ninth.
Royal London One-Day Cup – North Group. 2017: sixth.
Vitality Blast – North Group. 2017 – fourth. Quarter-final: lost to Glamorgan in Cardiff.
Captain: Michael Carberry.
Head Coach: Paul Nixon.
Overseas players: Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Nabi, Cameron Delport, Varun Aaron.
Other ins and outs: In: Tom Taylor (Derbyshire), Ateeq Javid (Warwickshire). Out: Clint McKay (overseas)

Man on a Mission: Michael Carberry
Just 59 runs in eight innings since moving from Hampshire towards the end of last season means the 37-year-old Carberry has plenty to prove to Leicestershire supporters, the more so after it was confirmed he would replace the side’s only consistent and reliable run-scorer, Mark Cosgrove, as captain this season. The popular Londoner will have more bowling firepower at his disposal than the unfortunate Cosgrove, however, and if he can maintain his first-class average of 41, could help new coach Paul Nixon inspire a new era of success for the Foxes.

One to watch: Callum Parkinson
One of the country’s brightest spinning talents, the smiling, sparky 21-year-old left-armer turns the ball on the most unpromising surfaces, and is developing the flight and guile to tempt batsmen into mistakes when conditions are not in his favour. His 8-148 at Worcestershire last season, when he out-bowled Ravi Ashwin, was Leicestershire’s best individual bowling return since 2001, and the county aim to produce slightly drier wickets at the Fischer County Ground this season, to ensure Parkinson is a real threat as matches develop.

Local hero: Zak Chappell
After a year in which injury kept him off the field for long periods, Chappell has benefited from a winter working with new Leicestershire bowling coach Matt Mason, both with the ECB Pace Programme and at the Fischer County Ground. Stronger and fitter, the 21-year-old from Stamford (where he was coached by former England fast bowler Dean Headley) looks capable of fulfilling the predictions of those who believe him to be an all-round talent with the potential to be the next Stuart Broad.

Prospects: New head coach Paul Nixon’s asking Leicestershire supporters to be realistic about the team’s prospects for the season ahead may have occasioned a wry smile among the Foxes faithful. When a county has finished bottom of the Championship in four of the last five seasons, and failed to win a single four day game last year, it is fair to say the most optimistic is not expecting them to run away with Division Two. There will be disappointment, however, if there is not considerable improvement in both performances and results.

The overseas signings of Pakistan international seamer Mohammad Abbas and more recently India’s Varun Aaron to replace Sohail Khan should go a long way towards addressing last season’s biggest problem, the failure to take 20 wickets in a match, as should the return to full fitness of seamers Zak Chappell, Ben Raine, Richard Jones, Gavin Griffiths and Neil Dexter, all of whom were either unavailable or not fully fit throughout much of 2017.

The talent of left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson, who picked up 17 wickets in just seven innings towards the end of last season, is another reason to be cheerful, as is a batting order packed with run-gathering experience. Michael Carberry, Paul Horton, Mark Cosgrove, Colin Ackermann, Dexter and Ned Eckersley are all proven thousand runs a season men, and will need to produce under pressure from youngsters Aadil Ali, Harry Dearden and Sam Evans.

The Foxes should also be a threat in white ball cricket, especially with Nixon’s guidance: Afghan star Mohammad Nabi and hard-hitting South African Cameron Delport add to the firepower which saw them reach the quarter-finals of last season’s T20.

MIDDLESEX
Specsavers County Championship: Division 1 (2017 performance – 7th)
Royal London One-Day Cup: South Group (2017 performance – 8th)
Vitality Blast: South Group (2017 performance – 7th)

Captain: Dawid Malan
Coach / Director of Cricket: Richard Scott/Angus Fraser

Overseas Players: Ashton Agar (Vitality Blast), Hilton Cartwright
In: None. Out: Ryan Higgins (to Gloucestershire), Harry Podmore (to Kent).

Man on a Mission: Nick Gubbins
After bursting onto the scene in Middlesex’s title-winning campaign of 2016, when he amassed over 1,400 first-class runs, Nick Gubbins endured a lean spell last season which ended with a hamstring injury.
The young left-hander’s England Lions call-up last winter brought little respite, but two impressive centuries in the recent South v North series fuelled hopes that he has turned the corner – and although he missed the third game with a fresh hamstring injury, he is making good progress towards an early return.
Gubbins remains on England’s radar as a potential long-term successor to Alastair Cook, giving him every incentive to plunder bowling attacks in Division Two during the coming season.

One to Watch: Tom Barber
Left-arm pace bowlers are a rare sight on the county scene – and, given Middlesex’s wealth of seam options, eyebrows may have been raised when the county offered Tom Barber a contract.
Released by Hampshire, the 22-year-old caught the eye in Minor Counties cricket with Dorset and did enough in two T20 appearances for Middlesex last season to earn himself a permanent deal.
Although still raw, Barber undeniably possesses genuine pace – as has already been recognised by the England set-up following his inclusion in the ECB Pace Programme this winter. He now has the chance to prosper further under the tutelage of Middlesex’s bowling coach Richard Johnson.

Local Hero: Toby Roland-Jones
Roland-Jones wrote his name into Middlesex folklore in 2016 with his unforgettable hat-trick against Yorkshire to seal the Seaxes’ first County Championship title in 23 years.
That moment highlighted Roland-Jones’ progression from first-change line and length exponent to strike bowler – and deservedly ushered him into the England frame.
Although injury denied him a place on the Australia tour, the Ashford-born seamer remains a strong candidate to feature in Test cricket again this summer.
However, in a season where forcing wins is of even greater importance, the Middlesex faithful can rely on Roland-Jones to lead the hunt for wickets.

Prospects for 2018
Smarting from their controversial relegation last season, Middlesex’s immediate focus will be on regaining County Championship Division One status at the first attempt.
In addition to that self-imposed pressure, Angus Fraser’s men are saddled with the burden of being the bookies’ favourites for promotion.
With 10 wins required to achieve that feat last season, Middlesex’s prospects of success will hinge on taking 20 wickets on a regular basis.
On paper, their bowling resources are sufficiently strong – with the likes of Tim Murtagh, Toby Roland-Jones, Steven Finn and Tom Helm all capable of match-winning stints.
However, Middlesex may need a fresher, more aggressive style of leadership, epitomised by the appointment of Dawid Malan – who oversaw a strong T20 campaign as skipper two years ago – as captain for all formats.
Although Malan’s availability may be restricted by England commitments, Middlesex have ample cover in the batting department.
Eoin Morgan has signalled his desire to resume red-ball cricket after a three-year hiatus – only to suffer a broken thumb facing Barber in the nets – while former England Under-19 captain Max Holden is also pushing hard for a spot.
Middlesex’s chances are strengthened by the fact that Lord’s will stage all their home four-day fixtures this season.
The arrival of Australian all-rounder Ashton Agar should boost the county’s prospects of an improved showing in white-ball cricket – where reaching the knockout stages would represent progress.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Specsavers County Championship: Division 2 (2017 performance – 3rd)
Royal London One-Day Cup: North Group (2017 performance – 8th)
Vitality Blast: North Group (2017 performance – 6th)

Captain: Alex Wakely
Head coach: David Ripley

Overseas Players: Doug Bracewell, Rory Kleinveldt, Seekkuge Prasanna (T20)
OUT: David Murphy (retired), Azharullah (released)
IN: Brett Hutton (Notts), Luke Procter (Lancashire), Ricardo Vasconcelos (EU passport)

Man on a Mission: Richard Gleeson

The fast bowler has enjoyed a meteoric rise since being thrust into a first-class debut against the Australians in 2015. Genuinely quick, his wicket-taking ability first caught the eye in T20 but last season saw Gleeson add an impressive return with the red-ball. He was ushered into the England Lions, took a hat-trick for the MCC, and with pace a sought-after asset for any team, the journey from Minor Counties to international cricket in just four years could become a reality.

One to Watch: Brett Hutton

His ability was never questioned by the Nottinghamshire management but their opportunities to pick him in a highly-successful side were limited. Hutton has arrived at Northamptonshire wanting more game time and among a smaller squad, is certain to get greater opportunities. He will add to David Ripley’s options in all forms of the game but his role as a bowling all-rounder looks a valuable asset for the county’s Championship side, where Northants hold promotion ambitions.

Local Hero: Alex Wakely

The skipper has become part of the furniture at Northants where his calm, intelligent leadership is forging a legacy at Wantage Road. In terms of trophies lifted, he is already the most successful captain in the club’s history and he will be eyeing further success with a talented squad who always appear to enjoy playing, in large part because of Wakely’s composed stewardship of the dressing room. His career may lack a great volume of runs, particularly in the County Championship, but he compensates as one of the shrewdest captains in the county game.

Prospects for 2018

The greatest compliment to the progress Northamptonshire have made since their annus horribilis of 2014 is that they have become a side players want to play for. With a reputation as a close squad who play a positive brand of cricket with a sense of enjoyment, Northants are a bunch admired around the country. But they are serious about success and have compiled a squad set to be competitive across all three formats once again.

Their improvement in the Specsavers County Championship was born in the latter stages of the 2016 season and would have carried them to promotion last season but for a consistent failure to gain batting bonus points. The signing of Luke Procter from Lancashire was made with this in mind – he will provide more solidity in the batting order and act as a much-needed ballast for the strokemakers elsewhere in the order. Given enough runs, Northants have a bowling attack capable of bowling out any line-up, bolstered this year by Brett Hutton joining the club.

Hutton will also improve the Royal London One-Day Cup side, the competition where Northants failed to compete for the knockout stage last year hampered by a bad run of injuries. But a quarter-final appearance in 2016 suggests a run at qualification is possible.

And having made T20 their forte for several seasons, Northants will expect to qualify from the North Group. Seekkuge Prasanna’s legspin – badly-missed last season – will return some much-needed variety to their attack in the middle overs.

SUSSEX

Specsavers County Championship: Division 2 (2017 performance – 4th Division 2)

Royal London One-Day Cup: South Group (2017 performance – 5th South Group)

Vitality Blast: South Group (2017 performance – 5th South Group)

Captains: Ben Brown (Championship and One-Day), Luke Wright (Blast)

Coach: Jason Gillespie / Director of Cricket: Keith Greenfield

Overseas Players: Ishant Sharma (April 4-June 4); Rashid Khan (1st 7 games of Vitality T20 Blast)

Other Ins and Outs: Steve Magoffin (joined Worcestershire); Ed Joyce (retired), Chris Nash (Nottinghamshire). Ins: Tom Haines (Academy).

Man on a Mission: Luke Wells has become a key component of Sussex’s Championship side but he is desperate to push his one-day credentials, having played only 23 white-ball games in eight years. Injury prevented him from bowling last season but his leg-spin is developing all the time and he is desperate to play more limited overs cricket. His bread and butter, though, is the County Championship. Last season he scored 1292 runs and, at 27 and having signed a contract extension until the end of 2019, he believes his most prolific years are ahead of him.

One to Watch: Michael Burgess arrived at Hove a year ago as a trialist and ended the season with a maiden Championship hundred against Nottinghamshire and a contract at least until the end of this season. Signed as back-up to wicketkeeper Ben Brown, Burgess showed enough to suggest he has serious claims as a specialist batsman. The 23-year-old came through Surrey’s system and had a spell with Leicestershire but has blossomed since joining Sussex. There is a space up for grabs in Sussex’s top six and he could be the man to fill it.

Local Hero: The latest product from Sussex’s flourishing Academy is 19-year-old Tom Haines, who was awarded his first professional contract last October. Haines became Sussex’s youngest Championship debutant for 46 years when he made his debut in 2016 and last season the left-hander worked assiduously on his game in the 2nd XI. The left-hander is highly regarded by Director of Cricket Keith Greenfield and with Sussex determined to keep giving home-grown players a chance he will get further opportunities this season.

Prospects for 2018

It’s very much a fresh start at Hove. Jason Gillespie has arrived as Head Coach and the Australian, a serial trophy winner with Yorkshire, has promised to give youth its chance and to encourage positive cricket. Gillespie’s aims are clear: get Sussex back in Division One of the Championship as soon as possible and build on last season’s improvements in white-ball performances. Chris Nash’s departure has left a sizeable hole in the top order so the likes of Luke Wells, Stiaan van Zyl, Luke Wright and Ben Brown will need to score consistently while helping youngsters such as Michael Burgess and Tom Haines to develop. Sussex cannot afford another slow start in the Championship and early games against promotion favourites Warwickshire and Middlesex will be a good measure of their prospects.

The absence of Jofra Archer to the IPL for the first five Championship games is a major blow, although Ishant Sharma looks a shrewd short-term replacement. Archer should be back for the bulk of the Royal London One-Day Cup campaign and the 50-overs competition may be their best hope of success. There have not been any more imaginative signings for the T20 Blast among all the counties than the Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, the world’s No.1 ranked bowler.

WARWICKSHIRE
Specsavers County Championship: Division 2 (2017 performance – ninth in Division One)
Royal London One-Day Cup: North Group (2017 performance – ninth)
Vitality Blast: North Group (2017 performance – third. Beaten finalists on Finals Day)
Captains: Jeetan Patel (championship and 50-over), Grant Elliott (T20),
First-team coach: Jim Troughton
Overseas Players: Jeetan Patel (championship): Jeetan Patel, Colin de Grandhomme (T20)
Other Ins and Outs:
IN: Alex Thomson
OUT: Ateeq Javid, William Porterfield, Mark Adair.

Man on a Mission: Ian Bell. It was the season from hell for Ian Bell in 2017 as he began the season as club captain but resigned from the role in midsummer after being dropped from the T20 team. His batting form was badly affected to an extent whereby he ended the Championship season with an average of just 25.91. Bell has trained hard at Edgbaston during the winter – now the challenge is to show that the appetite and skills that earned him 118 Test caps for England still remain.

One to Watch: Olly Stone. Given a belated Warwickshire debut, having signed from Northamptonshire following knee surgery which ruled him out for a year, fast-bowler Stone delivered some searing spells which suggests his pace is not impaired by the injury. If he stays fit, expect him to cause some serious damage to batting line-ups in Division Two – and force his way into the England reckoning.

Local Hero: Sunny Singh. India-born but Birmingham-raised, left-arm spinner Singh made an impressive entry into first-class cricket last summer with two five-wicket hauls. With excellent control and a lot of composure, it was an assured start which saw Singh leapfrog Josh Poysden into the second spinner’s spot behind Jeetan Patel at Edgbaston.

Prospects for 2018
Warwickshire endured a nightmare 2017 season in two of the three formats and first-team coach Jim Troughton and sport director Ashley Giles will expect a big reaction this year.
The first-team squad is in transition but still appears to have more than enough quality to challenge hard to come straight back up in the Championship. Their 50-over cricket should be much better too. Ed Pollock, Dominic Sibley and Adam Hose, whose mid-season entry to the team transformed its fortunes in the T20, arrived on the scene too late to rescue last year’s moribund 50-over effort – this time they will be on board from the start.
Again powered by Black Caps trio Grant Elliott, Colin de Grandhomme and Grant Elliott, the Bears will expect to challenge hard in the T20 again this season. Meanwhile, much head-scratching has gone into what went so spectacularly wrong for the Bears in four-day cricket in 2017. There were several factors, including an ageing team, a collective collapse in confidence and a failure to press home winning positions when they built them. But in Division Two a top order including Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott should be strong enough to supply plenty more winning positions for the bowlers to try to exploit more ruthlessly.
There are few more passionate and effective cricketers around than Jeetan Patel and, appointed captain for Championship and 50-over cricket for 2018, he will be a demanding leader – and will be sure to lead from the front.