AOC V COUNTY CRICKET
LET THE BATTLE COMMENCE
If you’ve bought AOC you’ll have already read who Sir Beefy, Bumble, Nasser, Goose, Athers and the rest of Sky’s commentary team reckons are going to be the front runners in the domestic game this term. Now hear what AOC’s staffers make of the shake-up for honours in 2008.
ANDY AFFORD
EDITOR
LV County Championship Div 1 – Lancashire
They’ve got to win it. Fast bowling and good all round batting, could just be enough this term. And I just think it’s another year on for Chris Adams’ mob at Sussex. Lancashire are tough to beat, in a division where saving a game can prove as important as winning one.
LV County Championship Div 2 – Warwickshire
No one would bet against the Bears returning to the top division as champs, would they?
Friends Provident Trophy – Nottinghamshire
They were the best one-day side I watched last year. Illusive bowling and batsmen who clog it all over.
NatWest Pro40 – Sussex
A year on for some of their young players and I can see them winning enough games to take out an incredibly open competition where sustaining momentum is everything.
Twenty20 Cup – Notts
How they lost to Kent in last season’s quarter-finals I will never know. Broad, Sidebottom, Shreck and Swann make for a quality attack that should be available throughout.
Sky Sports Sixes League – Mark Ealham (Notts)
He can hit sixes standing on one leg, and frequently attempts to do so…
Player to watch – Robin Martin-Jenkins (Sussex)
All sides need good players and RMJ is a good player.
ED DAVIS
STAFF WRITER
LV County Championship Div 1 – Lancashire
Yorkshire might run them close, but I’m going for the red rose this year. Quality seamers, a good spinner in Gary Keedy, and loads of batting. Sussex will miss Rana Naved's wickets..
LV County Championship Div 2 – Warwickshire
Overwhelming favourites to bounce back up. Worcestershire and Middlesex might put up a bit of a fight, but it has got to be the Bears.
Friends Provident Trophy – Lancashire
Freddie, Chapple and Cork are proven all-round performers. They could have Brad Hodge all season, so I reckon they're as good a shout as any.
NatWest Pro40 –Durham
If they get to field Harmison, Plunkett and Onions on a consistent basis then they'll take some stopping.
Twenty20 Cup –Somerset
I can't see a side matching their ability to clear the ropes.
Sky Sports Sixes League –Marcus Trescothick (Somerset)
Trescothick plus contentment plus Taunton equals maximums.
Player to watch –Chris Tremlett (Hampshire)
I've got the impression that it is now or never for the big lad to forge himself an international career. Early season wickets will help.
DOM MCMULLAN
ADS MAN
LV County Championship Div 1 –Yorkshire
Simple. I went to Leeds the other day and I love Yorkshire.
LV County Championship Div 2 –Yorkshire 2nds
Ok, I now they’re not in it, but my dad told me to say this.
Friends Provident Trophy –Yorkshire
In honour of the landlord of the Crown pub in Yeadon, and his magnificent steak and ale pie… not to mention a top pint of Tetley.
NatWest Pro40 –Yorkshire
In celebration of the cab driver who called Sykesy ‘love’… that took us back a bit!
Twenty20 Cup –Yorkshire
I want to hear Geoff Boycott’s podcast celebrating a win for the white rose count.
Sky Sports Sixes League –Pedro Collins (Surrey)
He looks laid back and he sounds laid back but I bet he gives it some beans.
Player to watch –Jimmy Ormond (Surrey)
Watch him make a full clearance at lunch and tea!
SAMMY ‘SNOW’
STAFF WRITER
LV County Championship Div 1 –Lancashire
This may well be one season too far for Sussex, and it’s hard to find a weakness in Lancashire’s squad. Stuart Law will be a calming influence.
LV County Championship Div 2 –Warwickshire
Middlesex may push them close but - assuming Owais Shah and Andrew Strauss are away on England duty - the Bear’s batting line-up looks the stronger.
Friends Provident Trophy –Durham
A solid if not spectacular batting side, the Dynamos have a formidable seam bowling attack that will be at its best in early season.
NatWest Pro40 –Notts
With a middle order made for this format, Chris Read’s side should be capable of out-scoring any other side in the Division.
Twenty20 Cup –Surrey
Last year saw Mark Butcher’s side fall just short in all of the one-day competitions, but their love of this format and a powerful top-order make them a safe bet for another trip to finals day.
Sky Sports Sixes League –David Hussey (Notts)
Loves to hit big in all forms of the game and no-one is better at going long against the spinners.
Player to watch –James Harris (Glamorgan)
Scores runs, takes wickets and he isn’t 18 ‘til May.
JIM HINDSON
DEPUTY EDITOR
LV County Championship Div 1 –Surrey
The Brown Hatters have so much depth and are guaranteed to compile huge scores thanks to the run machine that is Mark Ramprakash. New signing Pedro Collins has further strengthened the quick bowling department with his left arm swingers and will also provide rough for Saqlain Mushtaq to bowl into. A definite recipe for success.
LV County Championship Div 2 –Essex
No Ronnie Irani this year, but new captain Mark Pettini has the explosive Andre Nel at his disposal for the green tops in April and May before classy leg-spinner Danish Kaneria gets to work in the height of summer. Add the experience of Jason Gallian and consistency of Graham Napier, James Foster and James Middlebrook and you have the makings of a successful summer.
Friends Provident Trophy –Essex
It feels like a brand new start this year for the Chelmsford crew and I reckon the fresh energy created will see them to victory at Lord’s this summer.
NatWest Pro40 –Somerset>
Marcus Trescothick, Justin Langer, Ian Blackwell, James Hildreth – the Cidermen have to win something this year and I reckon the Pro40 is that competition.
Twenty20 Cup –Leicestershire
Glamorous they are not, but they’ve got Paul Nixon as skipper – and wherever there’s a Nico, there’s a way. By hook or crook they’ll be at finals day.
Sky Sports Sixes League –Mark Ealham (Notts)
Trent Bridge failed to contain this man before this season’s brand new stand further devoured the playing surface. The question is no longer reaching the boundary but how many times Ealham can clear it.
Player to watch –Alex Wharf (Glamorgan)
He told me he’s as fit as ever and is going to have a big impact this season. And I believe him.
PHIL WALKER
DEPUTY EDITOR
LV County Championship Div 1 –Lancashire
Got to happen some time. And Fred’s playing. And Stu Law knows how to captain teams to titles having done it with Queensland. And Murali should feature. And they deserve it.
LV County Championship Div 2 –Middlesex
Loads of runs will do the job. It’s county cricket all the way for poor old Owais Shah, Ed Smith scores big runs, Billy Godleman is a teenage machine, Nick Compton can bat.
Friends Provident Trophy –Worcestershire
Hick’s last hurrah before the cigar.
NatWest Pro40 –Somerset
Big burly batters. With 40 overs to biff, Tresco will be unstoppable.
Twenty20 Cup –Notts
Broad and Sidebottom will win it in the first eight overs.
Sky Sports Sixes League –Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire)
Mind the windows, big lad.
Player to watch –Will Smith (Durham)
Wintered well and seems to have rediscovered his love of the game. Big runs from Billy this term.
SYKESY
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
LV County Championship Div 1 –Lancashire
Closely contested last year. Surrey, Yorkshire, Lancs all with good strong squads. But I'm going for Sussex, it’s the Chris Adams factor…
LV County Championship Div 2 –Warwickshire
You can’t beat a Bear in a fight, can you?
Friends Provident Trophy –Surrey
I fancy Surrey to rediscover that one-day magic. Runs aplenty and a canny fusion of youth and experience in the field.
NatWest Pro40 –Somerset
They love a bit of long-handle fun out west.
Twenty20 Cup –Notts
Bit of a lottery out of Somerset, Notts, Surrey, Leicestershire and Warwickshire. Perhaps Notts numbers might come up this year.
Sky Sports Sixes League –Marcus Trescothick (Somerset)
A bit of focus on domestic cricket should pay dividends for the sausage-munching slogger.
Player to watch –Chris Jordan (Surrey)
Showed great potential last year and those who know his game well are tipping him for the top. I don't know his game well, but I'll go with him anyway.