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CONSIGNING a year of turbulence and disastrous experiment to the 'best forgotten' file, Middlesex have returned to some tried and trusted personnel for the forthcoming season.

The Australian guru, John Buchanan, found English professionals resistant to his scientific approach and has been replaced as coach by Mike Gatting, and the former England captain's immediate predecessor and great friend, Don Bennett, adds his wise perspective as the new chairman of selectors. Mike Roseberry, the gritty opening batsman who made important contributions to Middlesex's championship titles in 1990 and 1993, has been released from the remainder of his six-year contract with Durham, and rejoined his old county.

Roseberry could prove to be a valuable recruit. Since the departure of Desmond Haynes and Roseberry, Middlesex have struggled to find a consistent opening pair, and badly need stability at the top of the order. Almost everyone has had a go at opening in the last couple of years. Roseberry can also supply a strong vocal lead when the captain, Mark Ramprakash, and senior pro Angus Fraser are away with England.

After a degree of indecision, Fraser elected to stay and see out his playing days at Lord's. It is only a moral bonus initially, though, as his presence in England's Sharjah Trophy and World Cup parties means he will hardly play any championship cricket before early July and could then be required for the Test series against New Zealand.

Overall, the batting looks stronger than the bowling. After a prolific and energetic 1998, the Australian left-hander, Justin Langer, returns for a full season and will lead the side in the captain's absence. Ramprakash, Owais Shah and Paul Weekes complete a punchy middle-order. Roseberry will probably open with either David Goodchild or Richard Kettleborough.

Keith Brown's solidity will be missed - he has taken up a teaching post in Devon - but this gives the jaunty wicketkeeper-batsman David Nash the big chance he has waited patiently for. His able understudy is David Alleyne.

The bowling will rely on Richard Johnson and Phil Tufnell. Johnson, strong and athletic, is a good support bowler rather than a total destroyer, which leaves the match-winning to Tufnell.

Jamie Hewitt can also contribute with bat and ball but inevitably he found his second county season a good deal harder than the first. Hewitt could also do with a pacey foil at the other end, but Chris Batt, Tim Bloomfield or Simon Cook do not quite fit the bill. Talented young England player Aaron Laraman has his knee in plaster for six weeks.

So the prospect looms of Second Division Championship cricket at Lord's in 2000 - a reality if they finish lower than ninth. With Ramprakash and Fraser rarely available together and Gatting confined to the dressing room, escaping the drop could be touch and go.

Details & First-Class fixtures

Staff: D Alleyne, I N Blanchett, T F Bloomfield, S J Cook, K P Dutch, A R C Fraser, D J Goodchild, J P Hewitt, B L Hutton, R L Johnson, R A Kettleborough, J L Langer, A R Laraman, D F Lye, N D Martin, D C Nash, *M R Ramprakash, U B A Rashid, M A Roseberry, O A Shah, A J Strauss, P C R Tufnell, P N Weekes.

New players: D Alleyne, M A Roseberry (Durham).

Departures: K R Brown, M W Gatting (retired), J C Pooley.

1998 record Championship: 17th (W2, L9, D6).

Axa Lge: 12th (W7, L8, NR2).

B&H Cup: Qtr-finals.

NatWest Trophy: Qtr-finals.

First-class fixtures April: Tues 13: Kent (Lord's). Tues 20: Lancs (Lord's). Wed 28: Gloucs (Bristol). May: Frid 14: Yorks (Headingley). Wed 19: Hants (Lord's). Wed 26: Sussex (Lord's) June: Wed 2: Warks (Edgbaston). Wed 9: Glamorgan (Cardiff). Wed 30: Derbys (Lord's). July: Frid 9: Northants (Lord's). Wed 14: Essex (Southend). Wed 21: Somerset (Taunton). August: Wed 4: Notts (Southgate). Wed 18: Leics (Southgate). Tues 24: Durham (Chester-le-Street). Sept: Thurs 9: Surrey (Lord's). Thurs 15: Worcs (Worcester).