Cricket: County Championship 2009 Division 1

[kevshat]

The county season gets underway this Wednesday and as usual it begins with the County Championship. I went with 1 thread last season but I'm going with 2 threads this season because if the outright markets are anything to go by I think we might get more markets for the domestic stuff this season, especially with cricket being in the spotlight all summer. I've done a preview for each team but just a quick reminder of the rules for anyone who is new to the domestic scene. The Championship is split into 2 divisions of 9 teams. At the end of the season the bottom two in the 1^st division are replaced by the top 2 in Division 2. Points are given as follows:

14pts per win

7pts per tie

4 pts for a draw

0pts for a loss

Matches last a possible 4 days and are 2 innings per side with unlimited overs. Teams are given bonus points based on how they perform in the 1^st innings of each match. They are scored as follows:

Batting bonus points

200-249 runs = 1pt

250-299 runs = 2pts

300-349 runs = 3pts

350-399 runs = 4pts

400+ runs = 5pts

Bowling bonus points

3-5 wickets = 1pt

6-8 wickets = 2pts

9-10 wickets = 3pts

Bonus points only apply for the 1^st 130 overs of the 1^st innings. As with last season, sides can only have one overseas player at any one time.

[kevshat]

Re: Cricket: County Championship 2009 Division 1

	Durham	4.5	4.5	5	5	5.5	4.75	5	4.5	3.75	4.5	5	4	4.5	4.5	5	5
	Nottinghamshire	6	6	6	5.5	5.5	5.5	4.5	6	5.5	5.5	6	5	6	5.5	5.5	6.2
	Somerset	8	7.5	7.5	7	8.5	8	8	6	7	7.5	7	8	7.5	7	7	8
	Hampshire	7	7.5	7	8	7	7	6.5	7	8.5	6.5	7	7.5	7.5	7.5	7	9.6
	Lancashire	7.5	6.5	6.5	7.5	9	8	8	8	8.5	8	8	8	6.5	6.5	8	9.2
	Sussex	7.5	9	9	9	7	8	9	8	8	9	9	9.5	9	7.5	9	9.2
	Yorkshire	10	8.5	9	9	13	11	13	9	11	10	11	10	9	11	9	13
	Warwickshire	13	11	11	13	15	11	11	11	11	9	11	11	11	10	9	12
	Worcestershire	11	13	11	13	12	13	9	11	15	15	13	13	15	13	11	14
Place terms		3 1/5	3 1/5	3 1/5	3 1/4	3 1/5			3 1/4	3 1/5	3 1/4	3 1/5	3 1/5	3 1/5

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Durhamwon the CountyChampionship last season and will put up a decent defence of their title this season. They’ve changed captains in the close season with Dale Benkenstein handing the reins over to Will Smith. Shivnerine Chanderpaul will be the overseas player after the world twenty20 but the Dynamos will make do without one until then. Durham will be keeping a keen eye on the England situation as they are sure to benefit if Steve Harmison is overlooked. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Durham haven’t been too busy in the close season in terms of player recruitment but they have signed Ian Blackwell from Somerset whilst GarryPark went to Derbyshire. Defending this title is very difficult but Durham look a good side and if they get sufficient use of their England players they can go close in all competitions this season.

Last Season: 1^st

Overseas Player(s): Shivnerine Chamderpaul (From July) & Dave Warner (Twenty20 only)

Key Players: Michael di Venuto & Ian Blackwell

Best Odds: 9/2 Boylesports

Predicted Finishing Position: 2^nd

Hampshire were the surprise package in the title race last year, eventually finishing 3^rd. Dimitri Mascarenhas got the best from his young side who missed the likes of John Crawley for most of the season. Imran Tahir came in for the latter half of the season and proved a revelation and the Hawks faithful will be glad he’s coming back.

As well as bringing in Dominic Cork, Hampshire have also secured the services of Marcus North for the 1^st part of the season but their biggest signing could well be that of Duncan Fletcher to the backroom staff. Hampshire suffered a bit of a blow however when their opening batsman Michael Brown headed off to Surrey. Nantie Hayward and Greg Lamb were released. Hampshire are a young side but if their batting can fire they’ll be right in the mix when the title is decided.

Last Season: 3^rd

Overseas Player(s): Marcus North (Until June) & Imran Tahir (June onwards)

Key Players: Dimitri Mascarenhas & Imran Tahir

Best Odds: 15/2 Paddy Power

Predicted Finishing Position: 1st

Lancashire are another who have made a shrewd signing to their staff. Ousted England coach Peter Moores takes over a side who are very young and seemingly inconsistent these days but a side who definitely have the potential to win things, especially when they have their England players available. Their batting struggled bigtime last season but they’ve addressed that and with their bowlers having another year’s experience Lancashire won’t be far away.

The Lightning have shipped out the reported dressing room dividers in Stuart Law and Dominic Cork. Glen Chapple takes over as captain while the signings of Ashwell Prince and VVS Laxman as overseas players look good ones and if Peter Moores has an instant impact it would be no surprise to see Lancashire challenging for honours this season.

Last Season: 5^th

Overseas Player(s): Ashwell Prince (Until June) & VVS Laxman (June onwards)

Key Players: Mal Loye & Glen Chapple

Best Odds: 8/1 Lancashire

Predicted Finishing Position: 5^th

Nottinghamshire were challenging on all fronts last season but fell just short in all of them and won’t have been helped by Graeme Swann seemingly becoming England’s 1^st choice spinner. Chris Read has had a year in the captaincy job now though and that could be key. Pitches were bowler friendly at TrentBridge last year but if they’ve bedded in Notts could struggle to get the required runs if Patel is away a lot.

The Outlaws have brought shrewdly in the close season. Jason Brown has come in from Northants and he’s a very good bowler at this level whilst Alastair Brown will add experience to a young batting lineup. Darren Pattinson shot to prominence last year and if he can continue taking wickets then Nottinghamshire won’t be far away.

Last Season: 2^nd

Overseas Player(s): Adam Voges

Key Players: Samit Patel & Darren Pattinson

Best Odds: 5/1 Various

Predicted Finishing Position: 3^rd

Somerset had a consolidation season last season but they surprised me by letting Ian Blackwell go. Justin Langer and Marcus Trescothick are a formidable opening pairing but Langer is taking up his IPL commitment this season so we won’t see that until June. Andrew Caddick is getting no younger and if the likes of Phillips, Trego and Jones don’t bowl well then it’s hard to see the Sabres bowling sides out.

As well as Ian Blackwell leaving the club, Keith Parsons has retired while nobody has come in. Missing Langer for the 1^st 6 weeks of the season is big and he’ll be tough to replace and I can see a situation where when he returns Somerset are fighting a relegation battle.

Last Season: 4^th

Overseas Player(s): Justin Langer

Key Players: Marcus Trescothick & Peter Trego

Best Odds: 15/2 Boylesports

Predicted Finishing Position: 8^th

A new era begins at Sussex this season as Chris Adams, so long their captain and lynchpin in their side has retired to take over at Surrey. Mushtaq Ahmed, the source of so many wickets, has also had to retire so Sussex have lost two key men from a squad which wasn’t very big to begin with. They come into this season as the Pro 40 champions which was won in incredible style on the last day of the season. Michael Yardy has taken over the reigns as skipper.

Yasir Arafat has come in as overseas player and Josh Gatting has been signed as a batsman but perhaps their biggest signing was Ed Joyce who left Lords for the SouthCoast. He’s a more than capable replacement for Adams but replacing Mushy looks the problem. It could well be a season of consolidation in the 4 day game and hope to push for a one day title which won’t be helped by Matt Prior being England’s no1 again.

Last Season: 6^th

Overseas Player(s): Yasir Arafat

Key Players: Murray Goodwin & Luke Wright

Best Odds: 17/2 Stan James

Predicted Finishing Position: 7^th

Warwickshire are back in the 1^st division after winning Division 2 last season. Ashley Giles has reformed the Bears into an impressively reliable outfit. As well as winning the 2^nd Division they had good runs in the Pro40 and the Twenty20 but will have to do with another captaincy change after Darren Maddy handed over the reigns to Ian Westwood.

Jeetan Patel comes in as overseas player to replace the retired Ian Salisbury. Chris Woakes is an exciting talent with the ball and with a year of experience under his belt it will be interesting to see how he goes. The Bears have a strong batting lineup which could be boosted further if Ian Bell can’t get his England place back and if their young bowling attack fires well a solid season will be achieved with the potential of a one day pot too.

Last Season: 1^st in Division 2

Overseas Player(s): Jeetan Patel

Key Players: Ian Bell & Chris Woakes

Best Odds: 14/1 Boylesports

Predicted Finishing Position: 6^th

Worcestershire also came up last season via the runners up spot in Division 2. However this will be a really tough season for the Royals without the ever dependable Graeme Hick. Worcestershire spared relegation from Division 1 of the Pro40 via the playoff but their best chance of success this season remains that competition.

Ashley Noffke comes in as overseas player and he’ll go well if he can stay injury free but there’s a lot of pressure on a very young batting line up and the bowling attack places so much emphasis on Simon Jones who is another who will need to stay fit. Vikram Solanki is a clever captain but the Royals look short with both bat and ball to compete at this level.

Last Season: 2^nd in Division 2

Overseas Player(s): Ashley Noffke

Key Players: Stephen Moore & Simon Jones

Best Odds: 14/1 Various

Predicted Finishing Position: 9^th

Yorkshirebegin this season with a new captain after stalwart Darren Gough retired. Anthony McGrath is the new man in the hot seat. Yorkshire could well be boosted by Michael Vaughan not playing for England and if he can play most of the season in a batting lineup with Jacques Rudolph and McGrath then runs look a certainty at Headingley.

Yorkshire’s season last term was so promising on many fronts but then lost it’s way after the Azeem Rafiq situation. They were semi finalists in the Friends Provident, 2^nd in the Pro 40 and looking good in the Championship until the troubled times hit. However I’d expect them to be competitive again in the one day arena and if Hoggard, Rana Naved and Kruis perform well then Yorkshire can be competitive in the longer game too.

Last Season: 7^th

Overseas Player(s): Rana Naved

Key Players: Michael Vaughan & Matthew Hoggard

Best Odds: 12/1 Coral/Boylesports

Predicted Finishing Position: 4^th