Tuesday 14 April 2009

Mystic Richard’s 2009 Predictions – Division 2

Yes I know I said that Sussex would win Division 1, and Middlesex and Essex would go up last season, but I did predict the demise of Surrey and Kent as well as Gloucestershire finishing rock bottom. Therefore, I’m going to have another go this season. Division 1 will follow, with the predictions in reverse order.

9 Gloucestershire
Bottom last year and I can’t see any reason that they will improve on matters. James Franklin for Marcus North as the overseas player seems like a backwards step. Alex Gidman has taken over the captaincy and while Steve Kirby should be a threat with the ball, the county doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere.

8 Northamptonshire
The loss of Jason Brown will be compensated by Monty Panesar being around more this season. However, given his county form since he played for England, this may not be a huge advantage. Still too reliant on aging South Africans and David Sales, the season could be a struggle.

7 Glamorgan
More close season changes in Wales see Jamie Dalrymple take over the captaincy. The county has young local talent in abundance with James Harris, Tom Maynard, Huw Waters and Adam Shantry forming a nucleus that should serve the county well for the next decade. Seventh, but there doesn’t look a lot between 4th and 7th this year.

6 Derbyshire
The release of Nayan Doshi along with the loss of Rikki Clarke mid season shows that last winters plans have been ditched. Mark Lawson could be a good signing and he will benefit from regular cricket. Stuart Law may be more of a risk as he reaches his 41st birthday. Another season of rebuilding is likely, but with the promising Dan Redfern out of school and looking to play a full season, the future is looking brighter.

5 Surrey
Something radical is needed at the Oval. Mark Ramprakash could score more runs than the rest of the team combined although Michael Brown should provide good support. However even at this level, Surrey will struggle to take 20 wickets in a match. Chris Jordan needs to show more than promise, the returning Alex Tudor needs to stay fit and Kolpakker Andre Nel needs to stay focussed.

4 Leicestershire
Having turned round last season from Kolpakshire to a haven of young English cricketers, I’m not sure how much this prediction is based on hope rather than expectation. HD Ackerman will be a steadying influence on the youngsters like Josh Cobb and they could surprise a few teams this season. Not good enough to go up yet, but certainly moving in the right direction.


3 Middlesex
To be honest I’m fed up of tipping them for the title only to see them blow up spectacularly. The 20:Twenty excitement proves all too much last season and with Andrew Strauss with England for the summer and the loss of Ed Joyce, it may be a time to rebuild. The attack looks lightweight, even with the continued promise of Steve Finn.

2 Essex
Talking of teams that I’m continually tipping for great things. Matt Walker could prove to be a great signing, Alex Tudor won’t be a great loss. Ravi Bopara will want to keep up the pressure on the England selectors, as will James Foster as the selectors seem to have finally remembered who he is. Danish Kaneria is the best bowler in Division 2 by a country mile and this must be the year they go up, surely?

1 Kent
And so there goes the last ever present team in Division 1. Despite 3 players in the PCA MVP race top 10, including the winner – Martin van Jaarsveld, Kent’s proud record went last season. With Rob Key, Joe Denly and Amjad Khan looking to impress the England selectors, they are the worthy favourites to bounce straight back to Division 1 as Champions.

4 comments:

Chrispy said...

I doubt leicestershire will finish that high up as I just don't think they have the talent. It's good they are playing some engish youth, but they are inexperienced and the older players are not getting any better.

I think Derbyshire have the potential to finish higher this year with two good allrounders in Wagg and Clare and quality batsmen in Rogers, Law and the emerging Redfearn.

Essex lack depth in their squad and if Bopara is away for a substantial part of the season they could be in trouble. Ditto if Foster and Napier end up playing Int T20. Kent will surely win it and I hope Gloucs don't finish bottom again, I'm sure Bracewell will bring some improvement as well as Franklin.

I like what Glamorgan are doing with their youngsters and they will not finish bottom. And Northants should do ok with the likes of Sales, O'Brien, Hall, Boje, van der Wath and Panesar.

The team I am uncertain about is Surrey. Their best team could come back up, but if they have injuries to the likes of Butcher, Ramps and Schofield (which is likely) they will struggle, but Nel will keep them in the hunt along with the Middlesex young guns who should push on this year really.

Kent
Middlesex
Surrey
Derbyshire
Essex
Northamptonshire
Gloucestershire
Glamorgan
Leicestershire

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