The 2024 County Championship gets underway on 5th April and here is how all 18 counties are shaping up for the new campaign.
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Derbyshire failed to win a game in Division Two last season but the signings of Pat Brown, David Lloyd and Ross Whiteley provides hope. Losing George Scrimshaw was a setback for their plans, though.
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Division Two champions Durham are mostly giving their successful squad from last season a chance at the higher level but Australian seamer Scott Boland could help them to get off to a fast start.
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It's the start of a new era for Essex after the retirement of Sir Alastair Cook but experienced South Africa batsman Dean Elgar has signed a three-year deal after retiring from international cricket and should help to replace the former England captain's runs.
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Glamorgan have not made any big off-season moves and the loss of captain David Lloyd is a blow for the Welsh county but overseas duo Marnus Labuschagne and Colin Ingram are returning to the club.
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Gloucestershire finished bottom of Division Two after a winless 2023 campaign but the return of Cameron Bancroft, who last played for the club in 2017, is something to look forward to.
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Hampshire have been relatively quiet after finishing third in Division One last season but Ali Orr looks a good signing from Sussex and overseas pair Kyle Abbott and Mohammad Abbas are returning.
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Kent just survived in the top tier of the Championship last season but have bolstered their bowling options with the signings of seamers Michael Cohen and George Garrett, as well as spinner Matt Parkinson.
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Lancashire were the Division One draw specialists last year but Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon may be able to force some more positive results this time round.
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Alfonso Thomas takes over as Leicestershire head coach after serving in an interim role last season and there has been a fair amount of squad turnover. Seamer Chris Wright is staying with the club though after opting out of a move to Sussex.
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Middlesex have yet to confirm their plans for their overseas players after being relegated and they are operating under tight financial restrictions, but fast bowler Henry Brookes is a smart recruit.
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Northants are also back in the second tier this season after relegation and will be without stalwarts Josh Cobb, Tom Taylor and Graeme White, but they have made some useful additions.
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Josh Tongue and Dillon Pennington should provide a real boost to the Nottinghamshire bowling attack and overseas pair Dane Paterson and Will Young are returning too, giving the Trent Bridge squad a strong look.
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Somerset were seventh in the top flight despite winning only three games but they haven't done a huge amount to suggest they are likely to break into the top half of the table this time.
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Champions Surrey are largely sticking with the formula that worked last season but Dan Lawrence is a useful acquisition from Essex and West Indies' star Kemar Roach is returning for the first seven County Championship games.
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Sussex missed out on promotion when finishing third in Division Two last season but are showing the ambition to make another run and the addition of experienced wicket-keeper John Simpson looks shrewd. Overseas pair Cheteshwar Pujara and Nathan McAndrew will also be returning for spells on the south coast.
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Warwickshire could struggle to match last season's fourth place in Division One after losing a lot of bowling talent, while Will Rhodes has stepped down as captain. Pakistan paceman Hassan Ali will be back until the end of July, though, with an option for a further spell in September.
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Worcestershire have had one of the more active winters among all Championship clubs after winning promotion to Division One and they have made some eye-catching additions including bowlers Tom Taylor and Nathan Smith.
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Yorkshire were seventh in Division Two last season after having 50 points deducted. Spinner Dan Moriarty, who was on loan at Headingley for part of last season, has joined permanently and overseas opener Shan Masood returns.
* Nationality of new overseas players and dates of contract shown