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The turnover of captains at Minor Counties level has bordered on an epidemic since the end of last season. Seven of the 20 teams boast new appointments for the 1999 championship season, which starts on Sunday.

Five of the changes are in the Western Division, where the most notable departures have been from Dorset and Oxfordshire.

Jon Hardy has stepped down because of increased business commitments after leading Dorset to the divisional title last year, while veteran off-spinner Rupert Evans has decided to throw in the towel at Oxfordshire.

Stuart Rintoul steps into the breach at Dorset, while Rob Williams, who was the captain of Oxfordshire's one-day side last season, takes over from Evans, whose 26 years with the county realised 448 championship wickets.

Cheshire's Ian Cockbain is the longest-serving captain - he was appointed in 1991 - but Peter Roebuck is not far behind. Roebuck took over at Devon in 1993 and has enjoyed almost continuous success. However, the backbone of his all-conquering team has been splintered by the retirement of extravagant, left-handed opener Nick Gaywood.

Staffordshire's Steve Dean resisted the temptation to join the exodus, but only after much deliberation. Dean has taken on extra work responsibilities as head of middle school at Denstone College, yet is tantalisingly close to becoming Staffordshire's all-time leading run-scorer.

He needs 712 to overhaul David Hancock's 9,266, and 733 on top of that to join an elite band of players to reach 10,000 runs in the championship.