Pollock needs back-up

Shaun Pollock has endured a difficult winter

Test Match Special commentator Simon Mann assesses Warwickshire's prospects for the 2002 county season.

Since the formation of the two-divisional Championship, teams that go up usually come straight back down.

Warwickshire should be good enough to buck the trend, providing their overseas signing Shaun Pollock has the appetite for a gruelling county season.

Pollock is an outstanding performer, who will add menace to an already useful pace attack, but it would be misguided of Warwickshire to rely on him too heavily.

  Championship prediction

Strong enough to stay up

It has already been agreed that he will not play in every match and one player alone, however successful, is no guarantee of a fruitful season.

Glenn McGrath took 76 wickets at 13.77 for Worcestershire in 2000 but his efforts did not bring promotion.

It is Pollock's second spell with the club. In 1996, his figures were relatively modest - 42 wickets at 28.16 and he averaged 30.30 with the bat.

For Warwickshire to thrive, he will need to improve upon them.

Support will come from Melvyn Betts, Alan Richardson, Dougie Brown and the South African-born Neil Carter, who was surprisingly under-used in his first season with the club.

Betts is an effective county bowler with a less than flawless fitness record. He took 37 wickets in 12 games last summer - adequate, but he can do better.

Batsman Ian Bell is set for higher things

Richardson, a regular member of the side in 2001, asked to be released from his contract during the winter. He was refused permission but an unsettled player is rarely a successful one.

The batting will be weakened by the loss of David Hemp, who has returned to play for Glamorgan.

But Warwickshire have high expectations of Ian Bell, the 20-year-old who spent the winter at the ECB Academy in Australia and was then called up as cover during England's tour of New Zealand.

He made a big impression once he was given his chance last season, averaging 58.83 from 10 championship games and has signed a new contract, which will keep him at Edgbaston until 2004.

It will be a big surprise if he has not made his Test debut by then - and it could happen this summer.

Mark Wagh is another who spent the winter under Rod Marsh's guidance in Australia. He also had an outstanding season in 2001 - averaging 58.50 - and like Bell could play for England.

It will be interesting to see how he fares against First Division bowling attacks.

  Warwickshire 2002

Captain: Michael Powell

Coach: Bob Woolmer

Overseas player: Shaun Pollock

Main signing: Pollock

Main departures: David Hemp (Glamorgan), Vasbert Drakes, Charlie Dagnall Leicestershire)

Michael Powell is the captain for a second season. The pressures of the job clearly affected his form last year, but that was offset by securing the third promotion spot.

He will be conscious that a second poor season, especially if the team are struggling, will compromise his position.

Alongside him are the players who have been the nucleus of the side for several seasons - Dougie Brown, Dominic Ostler, Nick Knight, Neil Smith and, possibly, Ashley Giles.

Giles played only twice last summer because of his Achilles injury. His availability could be limited again, by his commitments with England, although it is by no means certain England will include a spinner in every Test of the summer.

Warwickshire will benefit considerably from his presence if and when he is allowed to play.