Thought it was questionable that Lancs got Prince to go back on his retirement last year. Sure he got them back in the first division but what good is that now? Short term bump but really they needed others to show they can score runs.
Looking at their squad (in relation to the other teams) I can't see them staying up. They'll need two or three of what I call average county pros (Brown, Croft, Bailey, Clarke) to really progress to the next level and/or Anderson to win them a load of games when he's available and/or win most games at home on spinning wickets - if they are to stay up.
Hameed and Saqib are very good prospects but they ain't going to be game changers yet in a division 1 that continues to get stronger.
Haven't decided yet who I think will be the other team to go down.
Thats the issue, Brown and Clark are the level of mediocrity we accept as first XI batsmen, along with the likes of Procter. Crofts got a bit more about him, and Bailey isn't a bad bowler but might find himself still on the fringes with the amount of pace bowlers we have lined up (Buck, Jarvis, Griffiths, Edwards, Mahmood, Smith, Anderson when available)
Expect OT to spin this year, as Kerrigan will be our main threat, with Lilley likely to be our go to all-rounder. Add to the mix Parry too and we've got a decent spin unit, with a coach who understands the art. I think ultimately our inability to finish off a game and far too many draws will be our big stumbling point, as has been in other seasons we've struggled in the top flight.
In the shorter game our batting actually looks alright, Smith and Croft perform better in LO cricket, Davies has been looking good, Livingstone isn't scared to hit the ball, Lilley is more than capable of quick runs. Would be disappointed if we don't make finals day again
