Strauss calls tune

Hopes are high for new recruit Razzaq

Test Match Special commentator Simon Mann assesses Middlesex's prospects for the 2002 County Championship.

Angus Fraser's decision to retire on the eve of the season is a disruption Middlesex could have done without.

Andrew Strauss' elevation from promising opening batsman to captain is a gamble, but in an inexperienced the side, there are few alternatives.

Middlesex surprised themselves last season. After coming 8th in 2000, they challenged for promotion until falling away towards the end, finishing 14 points away from a place in the top three.

It was just as well, because they are nowhere near good enough to survive in the First Division.

  Championship prediction

Mid-table

They will do well to go a step further this time round, despite the signing of Pakistani test player Abdur Razzaq and two other overseas players who are eligible because they hold EU passports.

Razzaq is an imaginative choice. He will bat at six and will strengthen a bowling attack that lacked penetration last season.

His effect should also be felt in the one-day game and how Middlesex need it. With one notable exception - their victory over the Australians - Middlesex were woeful in the short game last season.

They lost to Herefordshire in the C&G Trophy, failed to qualify for the last eight of the B&H Cup and finished 8th in the Second Division of the Norwich Union League.

Strauss has taken the captaincy at short notice

Fraser's departure after the opening weeks of the season will leave a fragile seam attack short of options. Last season was some way from his best - 31 wickets at 37.93 - but he was the mainstay, delivering 449 overs and conceding his runs at a miserly rate.

His new-ball partner, Tim Bloomfield, was only marginally more successful and together they formed the least potent seam partnership in the country.

Middlesex have tried to address the problem but without much success. Australian Ashley Noffe will cover as overseas player before Razzaq arrives in May and two other bowlers have been signed.

David Follett has rejoined the county as a stop-gap measure on a one-year contract, and the club have gambled on Steve Nikitaras, an Australian with a Greek passport.

Phil Tufnell looks to be their most likely source of wickets, provided he can stay motivated. He was excellent last season - 57 wickets at 26.49 - but his international career now looks to be over and he endured more domestic upheaval in the winter.

  Middlesex 2002

Captain: Andrew Strauss

Coach: John Emburey

Overseas player: Abdur Razzaq, Ashley Noffke

Main signings: David Follett, Sven Koenig, Steve Nikitaras

Main departures: Angus Fraser (retired), Jamie Hewitt (Kent), Mike Roseberry (retired)

It is debatable whether even he knows if can maintain his high standards in the coming season.

Strauss and Owais Shah are the focal point of the batting line-up.

Strauss has spent the winter in Australia at the ECB Academy while Shah was part of England's one-day squad.

They, along with Robin Weston, who showed his promise last season in averaging 43.54, will need to compensate for the overall lack of experience and strength in depth.

Mike Roseberry's retirement will free up a batting place. It might go to the South African Sven Koenig, another with an EU passport, but it will be good to see more of Ed Joyce.

His opportunities were limited last summer, largely because of his ICC Trophy commitments with Ireland. When he was selected, he made two centuries in three games.