GIVEN Lancashire's abundant talent and resources, their failure to land an outright championship title since 1934 is an enduring conundrum of the English game, and expectation this term arguably weighs greater than ever.
Old Trafford tradition dictates prowess in the one-day format, but, while claiming both knockout trophies for the second time in six seasons was a tremendous achievement last year, the championship must remain a true measure of worth.
There were mitigating circumstances last year, including long days lost to rain, the departure of an inspirational head coach, David Lloyd, to higher office, Test calls and injuries, and an increased organisational and administrative burden thrust upon the captain, Mike Watkinson, who was simultaneously running a benefit in his first year of continuous cricket.
Championship aspirants demand a productive spinner - preferably a pair - but the Lancashire duo, left-armer Gary Keedy and off-spinner Gary Yates, managed just 28 wickets between them at more than 50 runs apiece, albeit on generally unhelpful home tracks. As an interim measure, John Stanworth worked efficiently in lieu of Lloyd but has now become the ``players' development manager'' with a special remit on counselling and post-career opportunities. The head coach's post has attracted Dav Whatmore, an innovative thinker and mastermind of Sri Lanka's astonishing World Cup victory a year ago.
In early February, the Australian conducted tutorials, two-day swimming sessions and outlined his plans for the initiation of an American concept, SAQ (speed, agility and quickness), the planned development of the neuro-muscular system which impacts on an individual's explosive speed and improves co-ordination and decision making.
``Lancashire are the biggest club in the country with some of the best players,'' says Whatmore, ``but they must realise their full potential. I am to promote that through analysing each player from a physiological and psychological standpoint and raising their level of performance.''
Indeed, Lancashire should figure prominently on all three one-day fronts and will not relinquish their trophies easily. In January, they reaffirmed an appetite for the limited overs game with a last-gasp victory over India A in a one-off independence commemoration match in Calcutta, and the squad has just embarked on a warm-up tour of South Africa.
Mike Atherton and John Crawley are on leave of absence, and the Ashes series will inevitably see the loss of this pair - and possibly others - for long periods, but competition for places remains fierce. The batting line-up features Neil Fairbrother, Jason Gallian, Graham Lloyd and Steve Titchard as potential 1,000 run men supported by late order plunderers Watkinson, the accomplished wicketkeeper Warren Hegg and Ian Austin. They form a potent force, and Wasim Akram's return, supposedly in early May, is a major boost.
The seam bowling department is well stocked, too, with Peter Martin and Glen Chapple looking to further their Test ambitions. Watkinson as an off-spinner restricts Yates's opportunities but Keedy now has the bonus of operating into Akram's footmarks and must expand his range of attack accordingly.
A clutch of young pretenders will vie for greater recognition. Andrew Flintoff, captain of England under-19s in Pakistan last year, drew praise from all quarters for his leadership and batting while Richard Green and Patrick McKeown wintered in Australia and should benefit from the experience. Darren Shadford and Nathan Wood have a single championship appearance to build on, with Mark Chilton, another off the Manchester Grammar School production line showing great promise.
Membership is rising, ground development continues apace after completion of a new cricket centre on the former indoor school site and the pavilion has an impressive new glass entrance. Plans are afoot for further large-scale improvements. If the championship penant graces one of the old cupolas come September, Whatmore can gain the freedom of Manchester as well as Colombo - 63 years is an awfully long time.