Middlesex batting may clinch title

By Simon Mann Test Match Special commentator

Middlesex are another team who cannot be discounted in the Championship.

MIDDLESEX PLAYERS Overseas players: M Hayward (SA), S Styris (NZ; pictured) Ins: E Smith (Kent), S Styris, A Richardson (Warwickshire) Outs: T Bloomfield, S Cook (Kent), B Duncan, S Koenig, M Richards, T Savill

After winning promotion to the first division in 2002, they have finished sixth and fourth and might be ready to take the next step.

They have also gained confidence by winning Division Two of the Totesport League.

Ed Smith's arrival from Kent and the signing of New Zealander Scott Styris strengthens an already formidable batting line-up.

Ben Hutton takes over the captaincy after the uncertainty which followed Andrew Strauss' international call-up last season.

Pace-bowler Alan Richardson has been brought in from Warwickshire to replace Simon Cook, who has moved to Kent.

If an assault on the Championship title proves beyond them, the lack of potency in their bowling attack will be the main reason.

Nantie Hayward returns as the second overseas player after a season partially disrupted by injury.

Warwickshire demonstrated last season that under the current points system, batsmen as well as bowlers can win Championships

He has the pace to trouble batsmen and finish off the tail but Middlesex will need to see the best of him.

He will be hoping that the home pitches at Lord's and Southgate provide him with a little more help.

Chad Keegan's fitness will be crucial too. He missed large parts of last season after an exemplary playing record in 2003.

Along with the recent signings of Melvyn Betts and Paul Hutchison, the recruitment of Richardson is a gamble.

He had two fruitless seasons at Warwickshire after an impressive spell in 2002.

Six wickets from seven Championship matches last season speaks for itself.

The departed Cook, meanwhile, was Middlesex's leading wicket-taker in both league competitions.

Warwickshire, though, demonstrated last season that under the current points system, batsmen as well as bowlers can win Championships.

And here Middlesex are well-stocked, despite the extended absence of Strauss.

MIDDLESEX LAST YEAR County Championship: 4th in D1 National League: winners in D2, promoted C&G Trophy: quarter-finalists Twenty20: group losers

The team coped well enough without him last time - he only played one Championship match and four games in the Totesport League.

And the winter break has given them the chance to settle the captaincy issue.

Hutton becomes the fourth player to lead the side since the start of last season.

After Strauss, Owais Shah was sacked and Ed Joyce reluctant to continue after taking the job until the end of the summer.

At least Shah has decided to stay. He ended the uncertainty about his future by signing a new four-year contract.

Clearly, teams with Championship aspirations need to hold onto their best players.

Shah's call-up for the England A side was the reward for a superb season with the bat.

Styris is not an eye-catching signing as the club's other overseas player but he could prove to be an astute choice.

He is a resilient, underrated batting all-rounder who averages nearly 40 in Test cricket and has played 96 one-day internationals.

Styris, Hutton, Joyce, Shah, Smith, Paul Weekes and the promising James Dalrymple will score the runs.

If the bowlers can then turn a couple of draws into victories, the team's first Championship since 1993 is not beyond them.

FAN'S VIEW: JANET DAVIS

Middlesex should continue their Championship progress and consolidate in Division One of both leagues.

In the Twenty20 Cup, advancement past the initial stages is expected, and more silverware is the aim.

Ed Smith and Alan Richardson look like shrewd signings, and should strengthen the squad considerably.

They should not miss any England call-ups due to their strong batting line-up, which includes youngsters like Eoin Morgan and Billy Godleman.