County Championship Division Two: the rivals

In considering the prospects for Derbyshire's season, one has to look at the other sides and see the challenge.

There doesn't appear to be a great deal between teams this year, so the edge will come from those who more often produce under pressure, who hold their chances, keep key players fit and who enjoy better fortune with the all-important weather.

Durham

Someone has to step up and take the place of Chris Rushworth this year. For so long he carried their attack and they need Mattie Potts to stay fit and out of England contention. Ben Raine will continue to be a good cricketer, but Bedingham and Lees need to score heavily for them to be in with a chance of promotion.

Glamorgan

Labuschagne is back again and their batting looks as solid as most in the division. Yet their attack is ageing and needs to avoid injury. They don't appear especially strong outwith a first choice side, but they can push for promotion if muscles and bones avoid undue trauma.

Gloucestershire

Logically, should be one of the challengers, having been relegated. Yet I don't look at the squad and worry unduly. Chris Dent and Marcus Harris should score heavily, but they will need support. The attack has plenty of young talent, but one or two need to step up to take the wickets that will be required to win games.

The loss of Ryan Higgins, who has returned to Middlesex, will be a big blow, as will the absence of David Payne at the start of the season, after ankle surgery.

Leicestershire

Wiaan Mulder is back, but they will need overseas batters Handscomb and Rahane to score heavily to be in the mix.

Their attack has some good players, but most have question marks over their sustained fitness. Much will depend on Parkinson and Ahmed as their 'spin twins', with wickets likely produced to suit them. Full marks to the latter, pulling out of a potential IPL deal to improve his red ball skills.

I expect a better season, but would be surprised if they were genuine promotion contenders.

Sussex

With Cheteshwar Pujara and Steve Smith in their batting at different times, they should get some runs, especially with the excellent Tom Haines at the top of the order.

The bowling will miss Robinson and Archer (with England) so much will depend on new Australian recruit Nathan McAndrew and how he adapts to English wickets. Fynn Hudson-Prentice will hope for better luck with injury than last season and the attack would appear to be key to their chances of success. Runs won't be a problem, but can they take twenty wickets on a regular basis?

Worcestershire

A club in transition for the past two or three seasons, but they have a solid batting lineup and Azhar Ali for the season. Adam Hose has joined from Warwickshire and will further improve them.

They will miss Ed Barnard, the depth he offered to the batting, as well as his seam bowling. Although Mitchell Santner is a solid overseas recruit, they need Dylan Pennington and Joe Leach to stay fit if they are going to bowl sides out.

Yorkshire

A full strength side would stroll this division, but they won't see much of their England men.

Shan Masood will hope to emulate his 2022 form for Derbyshire, but does seem to have gone off the boil a little over the winter. Adam Lyth should again offer runs at the top and Malan in the middle, if more readily available. When Bairstow  returns he will have a point to prove, so they should get runs on the board.

But will the bowlers back them? Neil Wagner is a good cricketer, but Matt Milnes and Ben Mike need to establish themselves quickly in pastures new. The former is returning from a stress fracture, so there will be initial reservations about his fitness.

Conclusion

If the ECB allow their England men to play more often than seems likely, Yorkshire should be favourites. Yet point deductions, still very likely, could blow that out of the water.

Glamorgan and Worcestershire look to be decent sides, but it is a very difficult division to call.

As I have written before, the side that keeps key bowlers fit and scores runs at sufficient pace to force victories will come out on top.

There is no reason why that side cannot be Derbyshire.

But two final points. 

In March everyone fancies their chances..

And with Lakmal, Ali, Labuschagne, Neser, Harris, Rahane, Pujara, Smith, Masood and Wagner, among others, plying the trade in the division, don't let anyone tell you that the standard is low...