Given theoretically weaker opposition, all of them will start their penultimate match this morning full of hope. A mere seven points separate Leicestershire in first place from Essex in fourth. Essex, in turn, are only eight points clear of Kent, whose last home match, against Hampshire at Canterbury today, like their final one at Bristol, is potentially a 24-pointer.

Leicestershire, a mere point in front of Surrey at the top, would prove many things if they were to claim the record first prize of £65,000 from Britannic Assurance on Sunday week. Among them is the fact that, like Warwickshire in the last two seasons, they are a genuine team with few star individuals.

The nearest things to cricketing celebrities at Grace Road are the mighty Trinidadian, Phil Simmons, who yesterday committed himself to the club for two more years, and Alan Mullally, the only Leicestershire player among the 29 picked for England tours this winter. That he should have signed a much improved three-year contract in advance of today's match against bottom-placed Durham is timely evidence of dressing-room harmony.

Durham, who have yet to win, will at least be a tougher side to beat under David Boon's charge next year.

Mullally's upbringing apart, it is the lack of an Australian which singles out Leicestershire from the other counties in the top five. James Whitaker is their Yorkshire-bred captain, Jack Birkenshaw their Yorkshire-bred coach.

By contrast, Surrey have David Gilbert, four men in the touring teams and one, Chris Lewis, smarting to prove them wrong when they seek to improve on a run of eight wins in 10 games against Glamorgan at Cardiff. Derbyshire, frustrated by Somerset last time, now have two home matches, the first, against Warwickshire today, being much the tougher.

Managed by Les Stillman and captained by Dean Jones, Derbyshire have the strongest Australian presence. They also have winter tourists in Dominic Cork and Andrew Harris, plus Devon Malcolm and Phil DeFreitas, who still feel they are good enough, and Chris Adams, once again omitted from an A team he hoped to join.

Essex's Australian, Stuart Law, is back from playing one-day cricket for his country in Australia and his confidence should cancel out any hangover from the NatWest final.