Cricket: County Championship 2009 Division 2

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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.

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Re: Cricket: County Championship 2009 Division 2

	Kent	2.75	2.75	2.75	2.87	2.62	2.75	3	3	2.37	3	2.87	2.37	2.87	2.75	2.87	2.6
	Middlesex	5.5	5.5	5.5	5	4.5	6	5	5	5.5	6	5.5	5.5	4.5	5	5	5.9
	Essex	5	5	5.5	5.5	6	5.5	5.5	5	6	5	5	5.5	6	5	4.5	6.6
	Surrey	6	5.5	5	5.5	7	5.75	4.5	5	6	5.5	5.5	5	5.5	5	5	5.7
	Northamptonshire	10	11	11	13	13	13	9	9	10	11	11	15	13	13	13	17.5
	Derbyshire	17	17	19	17	23	17	21	11	23	15	19	26	17	21	21	23
	Leicestershire	21	21	23	26	26	19	26	17	26	15	21	26	21	21	26	28
	Glamorgan	21	26	23	21	29	19	13	26	23	15	26	26	21	21	17	28
	Gloucestershire	34	21	34	34	34	26	26	21	21	26	26	34	26	26	34	40
Place terms		3 1/5	3 1/5	3 1/5	3 1/5	3 1/5			3 1/4	3 1/5	3 1/5	3 1/5	3 1/5	3 1/5

Derbyshire were touted to be a strong force last season but it never really happened and another season of struggling ensued and I don’t see things changing this season either. Chris Rogers takes over as the captain full time after Rikki Clarke left for Warwickshire. Even with the Australian’s qualities it’s hard to see the Phantoms competing for anything. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Tim Groenewald looks a good signing from Warwickshire and Mark Lawson has plenty of ability. Stuart Law should provide some strength to their one day batting lineup but with Charl Langeveldt away at the IPL for the 1^st six weeks of the season their bowling attack looks a bit bare. Everything would have to go to plan for <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Derby to be competitive in what is a very tough looking division.

Last Season: 6^th

Overseas Player(s): Chris Rogers

Key Players: Chris Rogers & Graham Wagg

Best Odds: 25/1 Stan James

Predicted Finishing Position: 9^th

Essex had an excellent season last year, winning the Friends Provident Trophy and Pro 40 Division 2 and making the semi finals of the Twenty20 Cup as well but in the 4 day game they were just edged out for promotion. They look set to be without Ravi Bopara for much of the season with him on England duty.

Matt Walker is a clever player and should score lots of runs down at Chelmsford and with Danish Kaneria available for much of the season then a promotion to the 1^st division could well be on the cards, especially if they can find a new ball partner for David Masters while Graham Napier is at the IPL.

Last Season: 5^th

Overseas Player(s): Danish Kaneria

Key Players: Mark Pettini & Danish Kaneria

Best Odds: 5/1 Various

Predicted Finishing Position: 2^nd

Glamorgan have been in the transitional period whilst funds were being spent on the stadium but with an Ashes test this year the coffers have been swelled nicely for the Dragons to sign overseas players to cover the season in Mark Cosgrove and Herschelle Gibbs. There were signs in the Pro40 that this Glamorgan team were starting to benefit from the astute coaching of Matthew Maynard and that could continue this season albeit the one day route looking the best way to success.

David Hemp has been released so Jamie Dalrymple has taken over the captaincy and he’ll have ex Leicester man Garnett Kruger to call upon with the ball in place of Jason Gillespie. AlexWharf is a key man and if can take wickets and the pitches turn a bit then the Welsh side will be competitive. Runs could be a problem which is why the one day formats is where I’d expect Glamorgan’s best results to come.

Last Season: 8^th

Overseas Player(s): Mark Cosgrove (Until after World Twenty20) & Herschelle Gibbs (July onwards)

Best Odds: 28/1 Boylesports

Predicted Finishing Position: 7^th

Gloucestershire have been reunited with John Bracewell again and he’s kept Jack Russell on the staff. Jon Lewis has stepped down as captain with Alex Gidman taking over. In Bracewell’s 1^st reign at the club, the Gladiators were the best one day outfit in the country and the Bristol members will hope those days return after a fairly miserable season last time out.

Richard Dawson has been signed permanently while New Zealand all rounder James Franklin has been recruited as the overseas player. The loss of Mark Hardinges and Marcus North could hamper Gloucestershire but they still have enough there to be competitive in the one day game but look weak with the ball in the 4 day game.

Last Season: 9^th

Overseas Player(s): James Franklin

Key Players: Hamish Marshall & Jon Lewis

Best Odds: 33/1 Various

Predicted Finishing Position: 8^th

Kentwere relegated to Division 2 on the last week of the season last year but they look like the team to beat this year. Other than their relegation they had an excellent season, finishing runners up in the Friends Provident and Twenty20 Cup and being in the promotion mix in Pro40 until the last day. They have retained most of their squad and the signing of Stuart Clark looks a very good one.

Rob Ferley has returned to Canterbury which could well enhance their one day prospects and if Rob Key and Joe Denly remain with them all summer and van Jaarsveld have a decent season with the bat Kent will be very hard to beat and promotion back to Division 1 looks a strong possibility.

Last Season: 8^th in Division 1

Overseas Player(s): Stuart Clark (until June)

Key Players: Martin van Jaarsveld & Robbie Joseph

Best Odds: 2/1 Various

Predicted Finishing Position: 1^st

Leicestershire had a fairly poor season last time but with their young batsmen having had a season to get to grips at this level and an improved bowling attack they look set to go better this term. Their main chance of success could well be the Pro40 but it’s always dangerous to write them off in the Twenty20 Cup.

Iain O’Brien looks a good choice for overseas player and if he and Andrew Harris can start the season well and get among the wickets there will be reason for optimism at Grace Rd. HD Ackerman is a run machine and the Foxes faithful will be expecting much better things from Boeta Dippenaar this season and if a couple of the youngsters bat well around them Leicester could sneak into the promotion hunt but won’t be helped by this division being as strong as it’s ever been.

Last Season: 7^th

Overseas Player(s): Iain O’Brien

Key Players: HD Ackerman & Iain O’Brien

Best Odds: 25/1 Various

Predicted Finishing Position: 6^th

Middlesex had their best season for a long time last season when they picked up the Twenty20 Cup. However they were relegated in the Pro40 and missed out on promotion back to Division 1 in the Championship. Ed Smith has had to retire from the game and with Ed Joyce leaving, Shaun Udal takes on the reins. Middlesex have signed shrewdly and with Gus Fraser the main man at Lords now the Crusaders will be optimistic coming into the season.

A lot will depend on Owais Shah’s availability. If he’s with England for the entire season then Middlesex could struggle with runs, particularly if Strauss is kept on as England captain. Philip Hughes looks like he’ll have runs in him for the early part of the season but runs in the 2^nd half of the season could be hard to come by and it could be what costs Middlesex promotion. They will be looking to defend their Twenty20 title successfully and claim all the riches that come with it.

Last Season: 3^rd

Overseas Player(s): Philip Hughes (until after the IPL) & Murali Kartik (June onwards)

Key Players: Dawid Malan & Tim Murtagh

Best Odds: 5/1 Skybet

Predicted Finishing Position: 4^th

Northants had a mundane season last term. They managed to make the knockouts of the Twenty20 before a no show in the quarter finals and weather denied them a quarter final spot in the Friends Provident. They pushed Worcestershire close in the battle for 2^nd spot but eventually ended 4^th. A clearout since then though makes it look hard to repeat that performance.

Lance Klusener, Jason Brown and Johann Louw have left

Wantage Rd

while only Ryan Cummins and Lee Daggett have come in. Johannes van der Wath has taken over the role of overseas player and he’ll need to lead the attack. Monty Panesar could be available more this season and that’s to Northants’ advantage. Runs looks a given and if Northants can bowl well they’ll be there or thereabouts but I think they’ll fall just short of the promotion places again.

Last Season: 4^th

Overseas Player(s): Johannes van der Wath

Key Players: David Sales & Monty Panesar

Best Odds: 14/1 Stan James

Predicted Finishing Position: 5^th

Surrey have made lots of changes behind the scenes. Chris Adams is the new head of cricket while Alec Stewart, Martin Bicknell and Ian Salisbury have all taken up coaching roles. Mark Butcher retains the captaincy as Surrey look to get back to the 1^st division at the 1^st time of asking. It was a poor season at The Oval last year with successes being a rare thing so under new management a much better season is expected.

Grant Elliott has signed as overseas player until the world twenty20 and Andre Nel has given up international cricket for a career at The Oval. Both are good signings and should do very well in the capital. Chris Jordan was injured a lot last season but if he plays most of the season and Ramprakash’s run scoring continues then Surrey will be pushing for promotion at the 1^st attempt.

Last Season: 9^th in Division 1

Overseas Player(s): Grant Elliott (until June)

Key Players: Mark Ramprakash & Andre Nel

Best Odds: 6/1 Boylesports

Predicted Finishing Position: 3rd