County Championship: Dean Wilson's team-by-team guide to the new season
Cricket correspondent Dean Wilson runs the rule over each and every side in the County Championship, and offers his verdict for each.
Lion King? Varun Chopra is expected to have a big year for Warwickshire
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DIVISION ONE
Derbyshire
Their promotion in 2012 was a triumph for the underdog. Permanent members of division two until this season, they could find it tough to stay with the big boys. Will put up a fight, but could go straight back down.
Captain: Wayne Madsen
Coach: Karl Krikken
Key man: Shiv Chanderpaul
Last year: Promoted (Division 2 champions)
Prediction: 9
Durham
The big success of the modern county championship are at sixes and sevens. Some big players have left and the likes of Steve Harmison are not the threat they once were. Huge job to stay up.
Captain: Paul Collingwood
Coach: Geoff Cook
Key man: Graham Onions
Last year: 6th
Prediction: 8
Middlesex
Surprised many by coming up and then finishing a strong third in the table. Snapped up the best signing of the winter in pace bowling all rounder James Harris and should be competitive right to the end.
Captain: Chris Rogers
Coach: Richard Scott
Key man: James Harris
Last year: 3rd
Prediction: 3
Nottinghamshire
Consistent title contenders but fell away last year. There are lots of runs in the batting lineup, but they'll need more wickets from somewhere. Perhaps new signing Ajmal Shahzad will deliver.
Captain: Chris Read
Coach: Mick Newell
Key man: Samit Patel
Last year: 5th
Prediction: 4
Somerset
Always the bridesmaid never the bride, but they will make another dash for the aisle this year. Marcus Trescothick is running out of chances to claim that elusive title and could have a bumper year fitness permitting.
Captain: Marcus Trescothick
Coach: Andy Hurry
Key man: George Dockrell
Last year: 2nd
Prediction: 2
Surrey
After a miserable summer of sorrowful discontent Surrey have tried to solve their problems with money and experience. If Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting, Vikram Solanki, and Gary Keedy are the answer, what's the question?
Captain: Graeme Smith
Coach: Chris Adams
Key man: Gareth Batty
Last year: 7th
Prediction: 6
Sussex
The arrival of ex-Surrey boys Chris Jordan and Rory Hamilton-Brown could elevate Sussex beyond a team that is just hard to beat. Without Murray Goodwin it is time for others to stand up.
Captain: Ed Joyce
Coach: Mark Robinson
Key man: Monty Panesar
Last year: 4th
Prediction: 5
Warwickshire
Nothing breeds success like success and Warwickshire could repeat their magic of 2012. They will miss coach Ashley Giles but Dougie Brown will get them going for sure. How many Bears will Giles pick for England though?
Captain: Jim Troughton
Coach: Dougie Brown
Key man: Varun Chopra
Last year: Champions
Prediction: Champions
Yorkshire
England cricketers are falling out of trees at Headingley, but that leaves the county exposed especially in their batting lineup if Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow are called on.
Captain: Andrew Gale
Coach: Jason Gillespie
Key man: Adam Lyth
Last year: Promoted (2 in Division 2)
Prediction: 7
DIVISION TWO
Royal success? Ashwell Prince is set to play a key role for Lancashire this season Getty
Essex
They have a knack of producing high quality cricketers but have struggled to produce a consistent winning team. Should be competing for promotion, but that may still be beyond them.
Captain: James Foster
Coach: Paul Grayson
Key man: Ravi Bopara
Last year: 5th
Prediction: 4th
Glamorgan
A period of upheaval for the club has been extended by the departure of James Harris, and don't underestimate the impact Tom Maynard's death had on many at the club. Another season of struggle ahead.
Captain: Mark Wallace
Coach: Matthew Mott
Key man: Marcus North
Last year: 6th
Prediction: 8th
Gloucestershire
Their best chance of success will again be in the one day competitions, but they don't look like mounting much of a challenge for promotion. Good players leave and it is hard to replace them.
Captain: Michael Klinger
Coach: John Bracewell
Key man: Hamish Marshall
Last year: 9th
Prediction: 7th
Hampshire
A strong looking team who should focus on the Championship and get back into Division one this year. They enjoy their days out at Lord's but promotion would be so satisfying.
Captain: Jimmy Adams
Coach: Giles White
Key man: Michael Carberry
Last year: 4th
Prediction: Promoted in 2nd
Kent
A change of captain might be the impetus Kent need to get themselves out of the division, but it will take more than a gee-up from James Tredwell to win matches. He has to take plenty of wickets too.
Captain: James Tredwell
Coach: Jimmy Adams
Key man: Sam Northeast
Last year: 3rd
Prediction: 3rd
Lancashire
Huge fall from grace after their emotional title winning year in 2011. Have the quality to go straight back up, but they will have to fight for it. Peter Moores will make sure they give it everything.
Captain: Glen Chapple
Coach: Peter Moores
Key man: Ashwell Prince
Last year: Relegated from Division 1
Prediction: Promoted as champions
Leicestershire
If 'bigger' clubs keep poaching their best players it is hardly surprising they keep struggling. They will put their faith in young home grown talent again, but it is too raw to compete.
Captain: Ramnaresh Sarwan
Coach: Phil Whitticase
Key man: Josh Cobb
Last year: 7th
Prediction: 9th
Northamptonshire
There are a fair few changes to their squad, but Stephen Peters has been around long enough to galvanise another push for promotion. Hard to see them rising above others though in a tough year.
Captain: Stephen Peters
Coach: David Ripley
Key man: Matt Spriegel
Last year: 8th
Prediction: 6th
Worcestershire
Their experience in Division one will help them, but the loss of Vikram Solanki is almost as big a departure as when Graeme Hick eventually finished. Time for some new New Road heroes to emerge.
Captain: Daryl Mitchell
Coach: Steve Rhodes
Key man: Alan Richardson
Last year: Relegated from Division 1
Prediction: 5