After the closest finish in its history, renewed interest in the LV County Championship will see another exciting season for its followers. With Sussex pipping Lancashire, whilst Durham, Yorkshire and Hampshire all put in a good showing, the title race for next season is wide open. But  can Notts repeat the trick of 2005 and win the championship straight after promotion?

With a possible bowling attack of Ryan Sidebottom, Stuart Broad, Charlie Shreck, Mark Ealham and Graeme Swann, Notts fans must be looking forward to a great season after their recent triumph in Division 2. With Sidebottom likely to be away on England duty for most of the season, recent acquisition Broad will have to lead the attack with Cornishman Shreck, who himself has been touted as a possible future England international. Canny Ealham, who can provide a major impetus with the bat as well, is a shrewd campaigner and batsmen will not look forward to facing him again. While Swann, who came seventh in PCA rankings for the Most Valuable Player, has carried his form into the one-day international arena.

But on home soil it is more than likely that England will go with one spinner, cult hero Monty Panesar. That would leave Swann available for most, if not all, the season, with Ealham adding depth to the bowling and batting while both are also good fielders. Up and coming quickster Mark Footitt and the more experienced AJ  Harris and Paul Franks can also be called upon, with Rob Ferley's left spin as another option

Wicket keeper Chris Read enjoyed a very good 2007, with an average of more than 54 and setting his new highest score with 240 against Essex. Once again he has shown England are foolish not to play him as is the best keeper in the country and has proved he also has the batting ability. But England's loss is Notts' gain and now that he is captain he is looking forward to leading the best side in the country.

In the batting, Jason Gallian has left for Essex but Matthew Wood has arrived from Somerset and he could partner the giant Will Jefferson, who stands at an impressive 6ft 10in. David Hussey, the quickest man to reach 1,000 runs is coming back, along with promising youngster Samit Patel who is up for Metro player of the year. Add Notts' own player of the year, Mark Wagh, and Bilal Shafayat and you have a team who could threaten the best.

Who will stop them? Sussex rely heavily on captain Chris Adams and Saqlain Mushtaq, whilst Hampshire are nothing without Warne, who is threatening not to return to county cricket next season. Yorkshire haven't got enough batting depth. Durham have a good squad but will be without Ottis Gibson now that he has signed full-time to become England's bowling coach. How do you replace the player's player of the year?