Date-stamped : 03 Nov93 - 06:11 Preview of the english 1993 season - April 1993 PAUL PARKER PREVIEWS THE NEW SEASON Derbyshire`s strength remains their seam attack - few batsmen relish facing Ian Bishop, Devon Malcolm, Ole Mortensen and Domin- ic Cork. This season`s 4-day Championship programme could suit Derbyshire, but the batting lacks depth. Chris Adams and Tim O`Gorman made progress in 1992, but once again Kim Barnett, Peter Bowler and John Morris shoulder the responsibility of scoring the runs. These three have occasionally been prolific but consistent success requires more batting in depth. Age and youth again blend at Durham as the newest first-class county attempt to make their mark. Graeme Fowler has been added to the experienced and dashing batting line-up, which will need to score heavily for a steady Championship performance to be achieved. Youth is more represented in the bowling attack where West Indian paceman Anderson Cummins will join Simon Brown and John Wood. Ian Botham`s wise head helps make Durham a genuine if unpredictable threat in one-day competitions. Essex look set to retain their position as England`s strongest county this summer. Pakistan batsman Salim Malik replaces Mark Waugh, but otherwise the squad is little changed. Neil Foster and left-armer Mark Ilott lead a balanced seam attack but it may be spinners John Childs and Peter Such who maintain Essex`s supremacy in the Championship. Total commitment, making the most of their ability and knowing how to win have been major factors in the continuing Essex success story. Glamorgan have Huw Morris back as captain and he faces a familiar problem - an inbalance between the batting and bowling depart- ments. The batting looks impressive with Morris himself, Viv Richards, Matthew Maynard and young Adrian Dale providing the backbone. Medium-pacer Roland Lefebvre as support for the overworked Steve Watkin and Mark Frost. But off-spinner Robert Croft has the best chance to advance in this first four-day Cham- pionship summer. Gloucestershire`s hopes of reviving their fortunes have been han- dicapped by the recurrence of David Lawrence`s knee injury. He is unlikely to play many games this year, which is a big blow for captain Tony Wright. Courtney Walsh will again lead the attack, but generally the bowling and batting departments are young and inexperienced. To redress this inbalance, the team has been strengthened by signing opener Chris Broad and swing bowler Kevin Cooper, both from Notts. Mark Nicholas leads a balanced and experienced Hampshire team, which I expect to feature strongly in all competitions this sea- son. The batting, especially the middle order where Robin Smith and David Gower are pre-eminent, has depth. Canny Malcolm Marshall is supported well on the bowling front by Kevin Shine, Cardigan Connor and newcomer from Derbyshire Martin Jean-Jacques England are seeking a long-term replacement for John Emburey and Shaun Udal should get every chance to further his claims. Kent coach Daryl Foster has forged them into a well-organised and uncompromising unit who are always formidable opponents. Carl Hooper and Martin McCague had excellent seasons in 1992, but the key to success lies in the balance of the team. The batting, led by captain Mark Benson, has depth, while McCague, Igglesden, Ellison and Ealham form an effective seam-bowling quartet. Fast bowler Dean Headley has joined from Middlesex and spin variety is offered by Hooper and Richard Davis Lancashire certainly have the talent to be competing for honours this season, especially in the one-day competitions. The batting line-up is young and exciting and will include Graham Lloyd, Nick Speak, Mike Atherton and captain Neil Fairbrother. The bowling looks more formidable with the return of Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram. But much depends on Fairbrother`s ability to get the best out of his side and on key bowlers Akram and Phil DeFreitas remaining fit. Nigel Briers had an outstanding year as Leicestershire captain in 1992 and he will be relying on his seam attack for success this term. Winson Benjamin, David Millns, Alan Mullally and Vince Wells will be hoping for a responsive pitch at Grace Road. But Millns may struggle following Achilles tendon during the winter, and consistency in batting remains a problem. Newcomers to the side this year include tall off-spinner Adrian Pierson from Warwickhire. Nottinghamshire`s strength this season will be their seam bowling attack of Chris Cairns, Chris Lewis and Andy Pick. Spinners Mike Field-Buss and Andy Afford will also have a good chance to prove themselves following Eddie Hemmings` departure to Sussex. Tim Robinson`s main problem will be the opening batting positions with the dependable Chris Broad having returned to Gloucestershire. Thus even more responsibility will rest on Ro- binson himself and the mercurial Paul Johnson. Middlesex boast arguably the top front five batsmen in the coun- try, but their seam attack looks more vulnerable than for several years. Following the departure of Ricardo Ellcock and Dean Head- ley, the fragile fitness of Neil Williams, Norman Cowans and Angus Fraser must concern captain Mike Gatting. But he will hope England spinners John Emburey and Phil Tufnell will benefit from the new four-day County Championship. Despite their problems, Middlesex remain combative opponents. Northamptonshire should be leading contenders in all competitions after finally beginning to play as a unit last year. Their bat- ting line-up, with Allan Lamb probably available for the whole summer, is the strongest in the country. Few counties have a more formidable bowling attack, with Ambrose, Curran, Taylor and Capel offering little respite to opposing batsmen. The four-day game is likely to suit their style of play, but there are reser- vations about the spin attack. Somerset could be an outside bet for the Championship this summer if their batsmen are able to score runs more consistently. An- drew Caddick leads an effective seam attack, which also includes England`s Neil Mallender. But the most potent weapon could be Mushtaq Ahmed`s wrist spin because English batsmen dread this particular art and wickets should offer turn on the fourth day. Surrey`s poor returns in recent years have not reflected the talent in the side the side possesses. But the return of Pakis- tani pace bowler Waqar Younis could transform their fortunes in 1993. The other bowlers will benefit from his presence, notably Martin Bicknell and Joey Benjamin, and off-spinner James Boiling should boost his prominence in the game. They have an abundance of young batting talent and should pose a threat, particularly in the one-day competitions. Sussex have a good chance of being among the honours this year after adding Eddie Hemmings and Bill Athey to a talented young squad. Hemmings should work well in tandem with leg-spinner Ian Salisbury, who last year took 87 wickets. Athey`s ability to oc- cupy the crease should allow middle-order strokemakers Allan Wells and Martin Speight to flourish. Franklyn Stephenson aggain leads the attack and young fast bowler Ed Giddins should make a further impact this summer. Worcestershire have opted for an overseas paceman this season in West Indian Kenneth Benjamin. He will add penetration to their experienced attack of Neal Radford, Phil Newport and Stuart Lam- pitt. If Tim Curtis and Graeme Hick can inspire the batting, Worcestershire should enjoy success, although Richard Illingworth may be exposed in the spin bowling department. Always tough op- ponents, the county`s best chances lie in the one-day competi- tions. Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@rook.ukc.ac.uk)