Pre-season odds: Hampshire 10-3, Yorkshire 7-2, Essex 5-1, Northants 8-1, Glamorgan 8-1.
Hampshire to bounce back
Many will be putting their money this year on Hampshire, and here's why. Despite their poor form last year Hampshire have a cracking side, and will be smarting from the shame of relegation in September, after all, many were tipping Hampshire as title contenders before the season started! They loose some experienced heads with Dominic Cork retiring and Michael Lumb moving to Notts, but the signing of Simon Katich will more than make up for the loss of Lumb from the batting line up. Hampshire may struggle for bowling experience, and the Hampshire pirate, Dimi Mascarenhas is liekely to suffer similar injury problems to last year. The young left arm tweaker Danny Briggs is one to watch out for, his first class average of 31 is nothing to write home about yet, but he has impressed in lions colours and could kick on this year.
White Roses to bloom
If Hampshire were smarting from relegation last year, Yorkshire members were apoplectic with rage, and those guys don't hold back, just listen to Boycott in full flow!! And to add insult to injury, their arch rivals took the crown to boot. The pressure will be on the Yorkies to bounce back and bounce back quick. Their dire form last term belies the fact that there are some exciting youngsters coming through the ranks at Headingley. Johnny Bairstow was the cricket writers young player of the year last year, will play regularly for England, and the list of talented younsters doesn't stop there. Joe Root, Adil Rashid, Ajmal Shazad have all attracted attention from the national selecters, although I'm yet to be convinced they will cut it as internationals. Add to this the experience of true Yorkshiremen like Ryan Sidebottom, Andrew Gale and Rich Pyrah and there is certainly enough firepower to ensure a quick bounce back to the top Division. However, this is not an easy league to get out of, only Leicestershire can be looked upon as true whipping boys, so with many teams competing for only 2 slots there is a big challenge ahead.
Northants to go one better
Northant went out on the bubble last year, being narrowly pipped to third on the last day of the season by Surrey, despite having been in the top 2 places all year. Their strength lies in the hands of Chaminda Vaas, who is surely still the best seam bowler in Sri Lanka, even if his speed is now little more than medium pace. They still have good experience in Mal Loye (and lets face it, this guy's a legend how many people can say they've slog swept Brett Lee for 6?)
The outside tip
My outsiders tip this year is Gloucestershire. They have a determined captain in Alex Gidman and have a squad of team player. If they can keep the financial difficulties seperate from the playing side then they may well be the dark horse of Div 2
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