We’ve previewed the top flight of the Specsavers County Championship and now it is time to look at Division Two where this season there are ten counties for the first time. Unlike last season there is a second promotion spot available and the push for those spaces looks like being the most competitive it has ever been. The top end of Division Two should be interesting throughout the season.
Recent Winners
2016 – Essex
2015 – Surrey
2014 – Hampshire
2013 – Lancashire
2012 – Derbyshire
2011 – Middlesex
2010 – Sussex
2009 – Kent
2008 – Warwickshire
2007 – Somerset
The Format
The same point systems apply as in the top division with 16pts for a win, eight for a tie and five for a draw and the usual bonus points are available for the first 110 overs in this division as well.
Although there are 10 counties in the division this season each still only plays 14 matches. Each county plays the other once and then half of the division a second time to complete the fixtures.
County by County Guide
Derbyshire
The wooden spoon winners from last season will be looking to do much better this time around but a little bit of upheaval off the field in the winter and plenty of change on it means that another campaign of struggle lies in store for Derbyshire even allowing for some solid signings coming in.
Derbyshire had a real weakness with the ball last season picking up just 32 of the 48 bowling points available to them so the signings of Hardus Viljoen and Imran Tahir could be vital to them. Luis Reece is a solid opening option too but much will be on the likes of him, Billy Godleman and Wayne Madsen to score the runs to climb the table. I think they’ll improve but they’re miles off a promotion challenge.
Last Season: 9th
Overseas Player(s): Jeevan Mendis (Until June), Imran Tahir (After Champions Trophy)
Key Players: Wayne Madsen & Hardus Viljoen
One to Watch: Matt Critchley – in a season where leg spin is in the spotlight Derbyshire have a good one of their own
Best Odds: 33/1
Predicted Finishing Position: 7th
Durham
Durham suffered the harshest of punishments for financial issues at the end of last season, a punishment which not only condemned them to relegation but has ensured they begin the season with a 48pt deficit to overcome. That led to dramatic change with Sir Ian Botham taking on the chairman role and he brings a winning mentality which combined with the siege mentality makes Durham dangerous.
Whatever happens this season Durham will have one of the best bowling attacks in the division. Graham Onions is as good as it gets and Chris Rushworth and Mark Wood when he is around are more than able support. If Durham can overcome the loss of Mark Stoneman, Scott Borthwick and Phil Mustard they might yet overcome their deduction and threaten a return to the top flight. I think that will be beyond them but they’ll be comfortably mid-table.
Last Season: 4th in Division 1
Overseas Player(s): Stephen Cook (first half of the season), Tom Latham (second half of the season)
Key Players: Keaton Jennings & Chris Rushworth
One to Watch: Jack Burnham – needs to step up to the plate in light of the big name departures
Best Odds: 30/1
Predicted Finishing Position: 5th
Glamorgan
It was a second to forget in four day cricket for Glamorgan last time around. They had better fortunes in the one day sphere but ultimately all of that was in vein too. In the Championship only Derbyshire finished below them and a large reason for that was a lack of batting mite. They picked up just 34 out of 80 possible batting bonus points which was the second worst in the league.
That weakness hasn’t really been plugged which is a concern. Mark Wallace’s retirement has only weakened the batting further and while the signing of Marchant de Lange significantly bolsters their bowling attack they had few issues in that department anyway. Much will be on Jacques Rudolph and Colin Ingram to score big runs if they are to be competitive.
Last Season: 8th
Overseas Player(s): Jacques Rudolph
Key Players: Colin Ingram & Marchant de Lange
One to Watch: Lukas Carey – been getting rave reviews leading into the season
Best Odds: 25/1
Predicted Finishing Position: 8th
Gloucestershire
The Bristol outfit could only offer up a mid-table campaign last time around but after Michael Klinger declared he would only play one day cricket this season and Hamish Marshall retired from county cricket altogether I’m sure most Bristolians would take that again as there is a huge hole to fill in the batting line up.
Part of that hole will be filled by Phil Mustard and Cameron Bancroft who are solid signings but whether Gareth Roderick can inspire the side in the same way that Klinger did remains to be seen. The one positive Roderick has is a competitive bowling attack that improves year on year but it will need to have improved again if Gloucestershire are to get anywhere near the promotion spots.
Last Season: 6th
Overseas Player(s): Cameron Bancroft
Key Players: Chris Dent & Craig Miles
One to Watch: Oli Currill – the latest off the Gloucestershire production line
Best Odds: 16/1
Predicted Finishing Position: 6th
Kent
Any other year and Kent would be playing first division cricket now having finished second last season. They put together a wonderful four day season but couldn’t quite hang on to the coattails of Essex when push came to shove. Jimmy Adams departed after the campaign with Matt Walker moving up to be the first team coach. The influence of Jason Gillespie and Allan Donald could be crucial.
Kent’s foundation was based on a really solid batting line up which had solidity at the top and destructive power lower down to put more time back into their matches. If they can find 20 wickets regularly they are likely to be right there once again but this is a much stronger division than it was last season and they might just find a couple too good for them especially if long awaited England call ups come for their key batsmen.
Last Season: 2nd
Overseas Player(s): None as yet
Key Players: Sam Northeast & Matt Coles
One to Watch: Joe Weatherley – Hampshire have sent the talented youngster out to get some cricket. He’s good.
Best Odds: 5/1
Predicted Finishing Position: 3rd
Leicestershire
After a spell of propping up the division Leicestershire will have been pleased to make it off the bottom last season. They were much more competitive than they had been and now the challenge is to kick on again. There is an ambitious set of staff at Leicestershire with big plans but they have the right approach. They haven’t been helped by a 16pt deduction to begin the season with though.
Winning close matches was an issue for Leicestershire last season. They picked up the joint third best bowling points so they were always competitive but that lack of nous to get over the line occasionally dogged them. The Foxes got rid of a lot of their bowling attack to bring in extra firepower and if they can put up the runs Leicestershire will remain competitive. Even then I fancy they’ll be in the lower half of the table.
Last Season: 7th
Overseas Player(s): Clint McKay
Key Players: Mark Cosgrove & Colin Ackermann
One to Watch: Zak Chappell – made an immediate impression on his introduction to the side last season and he should kick on this year
Best Odds: 18/1 Paddy Power
Predicted Finishing Position: 9th
Nottinghamshire
It was just a season to forget for the Nottinghamshire county last year but they paid the ultimate price by finishing bottom of the table and condemning themselves to a season of Division Two cricket. They will hope it is only one season but they face a real fight to get back among the elite and too many England call ups won’t help their cause.
When everyone is in situ Nottinghamshire will be a strong side but it isn’t going to be often that they have everyone available with Jake Ball, Alex Hales and Stuart Broad all likely to spend lengthy spells with England. Nottinghamshire have the bowling attack to stay in the mix but I just fancy all the comings and goings to upset them enough for them to find someone too good.
Last Season: 9th in Division 1
Overseas Player(s): James Pattinson (until June)
Key Players: Alex Hales & Jake Ball
One to Watch: Jake Libby – encouraging pre-season and there could be a spot for him to make his mark this season
Best Odds: 7/4
Predicted Finishing Position: 2nd
Northamptonshire
The kings of T20 had a one day season to remember last season and they certainly prioritised that format of the game but they weren’t too bad in the longest form either which will have encouraged them. Recognition of their talent arrived in the winter when Ben Duckett was part of the England Test squad and that was suitable reward.
Duckett and a couple of other young batsmen were one strength for Northants last season but in four day cricket their bowling left a lot to be desired. Only Derbyshire picked up fewer bowling points than them and the loss of Oli Stone isn’t going to help in that regard. If Northants avoid injuries to key players they could be competitive but if anything happens to Duckett, Kleinveldt or Crook and you would worry for them.
Last Season: 5th
Overseas Player(s): Rory Kleinveldt
Key Players: Ben Duckett & Rory Kleinveldt
One to Watch: Max Holden – canny loan signing from Middlesex who captains England u19
Best Odds: 16/1
Predicted Finishing Position: 10th
Sussex
A lot of people expected Sussex to go well last season but their promotion challenge never really materialised and they have to do a lot better this season. In a bid to rectify that they have gone down the Kolpak route and on paper at least they look stronger going into this season but as with all the others they will need to be.
Ed Joyce is now employed by Ireland which is a big blow and there does look a bit of a hole in their batting. Vernon Philander has been signed to cover the period Chris Jordan will be away for but once again a lot of their chances look to revolve around whether Steve Magoffin can go past 50 wickets for the season. If he can Sussex have a chance to go up. If he can’t it is hard to see them pushing the top two.
Last Season: 4th
Overseas Player(s): Vernon Philander (Until June)
Key Players: Chris Nash & David Wiese
One to Watch: Delray Rawlins – picked up rave reviews with England u19s in the winter and could propel into life this season
Best Odds: 7/2
Predicted Finishing Position: 4th
Worcestershire
Although Worcestershire were competitive last season they were always being held at arm’s length in terms of the promotion race but the experience would have done their young side absolutely no harm and you always have to respect their record at this level especially under the clever tutelage of Bumpy Rhodes. They have a chance of captain this year although Daryl Mitchell hasn’t gone anywhere so he’ll be on hand to assist Joe Leach should he be needed.
Worcestershire’s batting was a concern going into last season but the emergence of Brett D’Oliveira made those concerns go away. Joe Clarke and Tom Kohler-Cadmore bring more runs to the party and with John Hastings having proven his worth in the top flight and likely to contribute significantly if Leach takes to the captaincy from the off Worcestershire could be the ones to beat.
Last Season: 3rd
Overseas Player(s): John Hastings
Key Players: Daryl Mitchell & Joe Leach
One to Watch: Joe Clarke – likely to be pushing for England honours come the end of the season
Best Odds: 8/1
Predicted Finishing Position: 1st
Betting
I think there are a big four in terms of the title picture this season. They are the four favourites in the betting and then you have to factor Durham into the mix in terms of the sides you don’t want to be playing twice.
Given the lop-sided nature of the campaign we might well be able to find an edge by checking out who plays who twice from that tough group. Nottinghamshire are the favourites for the title but they play Sussex twice. Sussex play the other four in that tough set twice so they offer little value, Kent face Durham and Sussex twice while Worcestershire play Sussex and Durham twice.
That suggests Nottinghamshire, Kent and Worcestershire might have the edge and given their record in the division, their young squad which near enough has to have improved over the winter and the clever addition of John Hastings I think Worcestershire are overpriced for what should be an extremely competitive title race.
Tips
WON – Back Worcestershire to win Division 2 (e/w) for a 2/10 stake at 9.00 with William Hill (1/5 1-3)
Back them here:
