With a humiliating loss to Scotland only days before the championship match against Durham, I thought Lancashire would find it diffucult to pull themselves together, but how wrong I was.

The Lancashire squad wanted to make up for their loss to the minnows in the one-day match by showing their superiority in the longer version of the game.

There is a lot of talent in the young squad and with the return of Andrew Flintoff to the team after injury, Lancashire now look set to reap the success they have so richly deserved over the past few years.

'A strong challenge is sure to come from Sussex and the formidable Surrey'


Last year's County Championship came down to the wire and although 2007 was Sussex's year, Lancashire will get revenge this season. To miss out by only a few runs last season has given the Red Rose team more motivation than ever to show their skill and commitment to win the prestigous trophy and the Durham match showed just how brilliant the lads can be when playing well.

The bowling was particularly impressive in the win against Durham with both James Anderson and Flintoff ripping through Durham.

The pitch definitely favoured the bowlers but Lancashire's batsmen still have to find their spark in the early season.

Lancashire's new captain is Stuart Law. He has the ability to motivate his team and his excellent batting performances of previous seasons will ensure success for the Red Rose county. The trio of overseas players are also all fantastic signings. Back again is the big-hitting Brad Hodge of Australia and he is joined by South African Francois Du Plessis and Pakistani Mohamad Yousef. Yousef and Hodge are extremely experienced on the international stage and Du Plessis is growing into a world-class performer.

A strong challenge is sure to come from Sussex and the formidable Surrey, who have an array of former Test stars within their ranks. The weather is likely to play a part in the championship also and as per usual Lancashire is likely to be at a disadvantage due to the amount of rain which falls up north in Manchester compared to the south.

When Flintoff recovers from his new injury the team will be stronger and don't be surprised to see Lancashire competing strongly for all the season's trophies.

But the County Championship is the one they want and this year, they are really in with a chance.