Yorkshire my tip but Essex can spring a Surprise

My excitement is certainly building, and I’m sure all of yours is too. The most exciting time of the year for a county cricketer is just a week away with the County Championship ready to storm back into view.

I can’t wait to get around the grounds and see how each team fares this year after such an exciting end to last season. There are bound to be more ups and downs this year – and I’m sure once again we won’t be able to take our eyes off it.

When it comes to title candidates, all eyes will again be on Yorkshire and reigning champions Middlesex again, but I think Essex are dark horses. With Alastair Cook set to be around for the beginning of the season they shouldn’t have any problems making runs.

Yorkshire will be there and thereabouts and Middlesex will be full of confidence, especially after that great win against the MCC this week. You need that type of performance early on and with Adam Voges coming back they look strong as they strive for back-to-back titles.

However, I do expect Yorkshire – weather permitting and with Jonny Bairstow likely to be more available than last year – to bounce back from last year’s disappointment. Ryan Sidebottom missed a large chunk of last season and he’ll be wanting to go out on a high before retiring at the end of the season.

Surrey will always get plenty of runs, but it’s about wickets. Can they get enough to be a force if the Curran brothers are called up for England?

Somerset were one of the trio battling for the title last year but they will miss Chris Rogers. Marcus Trescothick is still there and Tom Abell is top quality too, but there will be a lot of pressure down at Taunton considering how close they came last year.