[comme]

Starts soon, what are people's opinions on possible winners, losers etc.

As always Surrey look very strong, Glamorgan were superb last year but will miss Kasp for a fair bit of the season.

[michaec]

The defending champions Warwickshire must have a good chance. They have seasoned campaigners in Nick Knight and Trevor Penny underpinning the batting, England fringe player Ian Bell looking to stake a claim in the squad and Heath Streak leading the attack.

Surrey do look strong too and Hampshire look to have a good lineup, but I think they'll have too many players missing on international duty to sustain their challenge.

[comme]

Surrey's problem is always the fact that internationals are away. If they weren't they would be odds on favourites every season.

I still think they have a good chance, and as you say Warwickshire will be tough to beat.

Lancashire are another team who are normally there or thereabouts and also suffer from international absences.

[michaec]

So it's the first day of the cricket season and surprise, surprise, it's chucking down with rain. Lovely!

[Bluto11]

any matches played today?

[michaec]

You can keep an eye on how things are going here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cric...rd/default.stm

Warwickshire and Durham weighed in with huge batting performances in their first innings, so look set for victory. With the weather being a bit rainy (as it will be in England in April!) expect a few draws.

[BhoysFC1995]

4.14.05 County round up

Aussie Mike Hussey grabbed 214 for durham

btw, 20/20 starts june 22

[Bluto11]

hmm, i need a team to support

how about Middlesex?

[comme]

It depends what you want.

Middlesex are a good team and play at Lords. But other than Strauss,Ed Smith and Owais Shah they are lacking in top talent.

[comme]

Originally Posted by comme

Lancashire are another team who are normally there or thereabouts and also suffer from international absences.

BTW I'm referring to the one day comps here as Lancashire are in the second division.