His experience and cricketing brain should give the team a harder edge. They have two of the best wicketkeeper-batsmen in England in Tim Ambrose and Matt Prior A formidable force.Coach: Peter Moores. Mushtaq Ahmed, who took 103 wickets with his leg-spin last summer, is still there, as are James Kirtley, Jason Lewry and Robin Martin-Jenkins (121 wickets among them) Mohammad Akram joins them so wickets will not be a problem. The signing of Ian Ward and the retention of Murray Goodwin mean there should be plenty of runs.

Last season: CCI 3rd, NLI Champions, C&G Quarter finals, Twenty20 Winners.In: Andrew Hodd (Sussex), Neil Saker, Daniel Miller. Out: Stewart (retired), Ward (Hamp), Ben Scott (Middlesex).SUSSEXBack-to-back Championships do not come easily But Chris Adams and his happy band look capable. He is smart enough and gifted enough to render those fears groundless. Ian Ward will be missed, as will Alec Stewart, but the squad still bristles with talent. New coach Ian Rixon must restore spirit and show faith in young players Scott Newman should be given a chance to show his talent.

The usual suspects are still there, still willing, still able. Alistair Brown, Adam Hollioake, Mark Ramprakash, Martin Bicknell, James Ormond and Saqlain Mushtaq Last summer’s failure hurt them Do not write them off this year.Coach: Steve Rixon. Captain: Batty.Overseas players: Saqlain, Azhar Mahmood (both Pak).This season: CCI, NLI. Out: Usman Afzaal (N’hants), Nadeem Malik (Worcs), Vikram Atri, Guy Welton, Stephen Randall, David Lucas, Chris Cairns (all released), Wayne Noon (retired).SOMERSETIt will be worth watching Ricky Ponting on Taunton’s batting-friendly pitches. It is unlikely, if international bowlers are taken apart by the Tasmanian, that Second Division attacks will be able to stop him.