County season preview

Skysports.com has put together a team-by-team guide ahead of the start of the season on Friday.

Skysports.com offers a team-by-team guide for 2011

The clocks have gone forward, the sun is peeking out and England are home from another disappointing World Cup campaign. Such signs point to only one thing - the start of the county cricket season! Nottinghamshire defend the LV County Championship title they won in such thrilling fashion and the stage is set for another titanic battle as several of their rivals have strengthened during the winter. Armchair fans are in for a treat with Sky Sports showing at least 68 live matches across all three competitions. Each county will be shown a minimum of four times - click here for further details. Ahead of the opening round on Friday, skysports.com has put together a county-by-county guide. To read each individual preview and send in your own thoughts, simply click on the links below...

Division One

DURHAM
Durham failed to replicate their success of the previous two years in 2010 but can they get back to winning ways this season? HAMPSHIRE
Hampshire defied injuries to win the Friends Provident t20 last year but can new skipper Dominic Cork spark a revival in their Championship fortunes? LANCASHIRE
The Red Rose county are planning to spend big - but only on their ground. So, can a settled, experienced squad finally end their wait for the title? NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
After a thrilling final-day triumph in 2010, can Nottinghamshire, without Ryan Sidebottom's wickets, script a repeat this season? SOMERSET
Reinforcements have arrived to add squad depth but can Somerset finally get their hands on a trophy in 2011? SUSSEX
Sussex cruised to the Division Two title in 2010 but can they mount a challenge in the top flight? WARWICKSHIRE
The Bears kept hold of their top-flight status and ended up with a trophy in 2010 - but can they prosper again this summer in all forms of the game? WORCESTERSHIRE
Worcestershire have kept faith with the squad that won promotion last season but are they good enough to survive in Division One? YORKSHIRE
Andrew Gale leads a squad packed full of talent, but will England come calling too often for them to have hopes of picking up silverware?

Division Two

DERBYSHIRE
The only way is up for Derbyshire after a disappointing campaign last summer - but can Luke Sutton work wonders on his return to the county? ESSEX
It was another strong one-day summer in 2010 for Essex, so can they become more of a consistent force in four-day cricket this time around? GLAMORGAN
Glamorgan's decision to overhaul their leadership structure during the off-season was controversial but will it pay off on the field? GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Gloucestershire failed to thrive last season despite taking wickets for fun. Now, with most of that bowling attack gone, what chance do they have? KENT
Relegation has been followed by a winter of cost cutting but can Kent script a heartwarming Canterbury tale in 2011? LEICESTERSHIRE
Leicestershire's off-field turmoil made it a difficult first season in charge for Matthew Hoggard. Can the ex-England seamer lead them up this time around? MIDDLESEX
Middlesex have struggled in recent seasons but will the arrival of experienced reinforcements turn around their fortunes? NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Northamptonshire failed to threaten in 2010 but have retained faith in the majority of the squad. Are they ready to get in the promotion mix? SURREY
Big-spending Surrey have failed to live up to the hype since Chris Adams took charge of the club. Is this finally the year?