With the new County Championship season starting on Wednesday fanatix looks at how the sides will fare in Division Two.
Essex
Captain: James Foster
Coach: Paul Grayson
Another average Division Two season for Essex last year despite their reputation as a hotbed for England Test talent – Alastair Cook, Graham Gooch and Nasser Hussain all played for the county.
However with the likes of Ravi Bopara and Shaun Tait on their books there is every chance the club could make an impact on the top spot this season.
Essex host Gloucestershire in their first match of the campaign.
Glamorgan
Captain: Mark Wallace
Coach: Matthew Mott
It could be a difficult season for the Welsh side after losing their two star players – with Robert Croft retiring and James Harris opting to further his career at Middlesex.
Middle-order batsman Ben Wright has shown some promise for Glamorgan in recent seasons but 2013 could be another tough year.
Northants will visit south Wales on the opening day.
Gloucestershire
Captain: Michael Klinger
Coach: John Bracewell
The county finished rock bottom last year after another poor season in Division Two, with batting their most obvious flaw.
Gloucestershire’s addition of Australian Klinger as skipper is a boost for the side but any improvement at all on the 2012 campaign will be a bonus.
Klinger will lead his new side out for the first time at Essex.
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