Derbyshire go into the ninth season of two-division cricket having never been promoted. They finished ninth and last in the first division in 2000, bottom of the second division the next year and have not finished higher than fifth since.

They have been more disrupted than most by 20-over machinations. The ECB refused to register Wavell Hinds, the West Indies batsman, who has been playing 20-over cricket for Jamaica and Ahmedabad Rockets, of the Indian Cricket League (ICL), this year. Mahela Jayawardena, the Sri Lanka captain, will miss the first seven weeks of the season because of his involvement in the Indian Premier League, but John Morris, the head of cricket, has been active in the transfer market.

Derbyshire have Chris Rogers, the Australia batsman, as cover and signed Dominic Telo, an exciting prospect, last week. The 22-year-old South African could be the next Kevin Pietersen and had a storming domestic season. “It is important to note that Dominic has signed with the intention of qualifying so that he can eventually play as an English cricketer,” Morris said.

Warwickshire and Worcestershire, the two relegated sides, do not look immediately equipped to dominate. Warwickshire are highly regarded, but they will need something spectacular from Monde Zondeki, the South Africa fast bowler.

Worcestershire have the best bowling attack in the division, on paper, but uncertainty over the state of the New Road pitch, if there is more flooding, may not help.

Middlesex are the bookies' favourites with the best top-six batting order in the division. Shaun Udal is a canny signing and when Murali Kartik, the India left-arm spinner, arrives in June, he may form a dangerous partnership with the former Hampshire off spinner.

Essex appear to have a limited attack and may rely heavily on Andre Nel, the South Africa seam bowler, and Danish Kaneria, the Pakistan leg spinner, who replaces Nel at the end of May.

Leicestershire, with the eventual arrival of four South Africans, could be the dark horses of the division.