Division Two Hollioake and Lehmann ready to shake things up

Another season of puffing around the bottom of the table did at least bring Derbyshire their first home championship victory for five years: a thrashing of Glamorgan.

- Tanya Aldred

Derbyshire

Another season of puffing around the bottom of the table did at least bring Derbyshire their first home championship victory for five years: a thrashing of Glamorgan. It was, however, their only win of the summer, and the new year brought a new (old) captain: the 41-year-old Wayne Madsen, whose hand was on the tiller during the 2012 promotion run. That year Usman Khawaja was the overseas player; in 2025 Blair Tickner returns, as does the left-handed Australian opening batter Caleb Jewell. England Lion Harry Moore, 6ft 7in and still only 17, could bring some dynamite to the doldrums.

Captain Wayne Madsen Coach Mickey Arthur 2024 8th

Glamorgan

The off-season was dominated by the dismissal of Grant Bradburn as coach - he was censured recently by the Cricket Discipline Commission - but Glamorgan have coaxed Richard Dawson into taking over as interim coach. He inherits a talented, if occasionally misfiring, batting lineup and a bowling attack reliant on Timm van der Gugten, though the Sri Lankan fast bowler Asitha Fernando slots in for an early summer stint. Mason Crane should benefit from having a spin bowler as head coach. The club are still hoping the planets will align for Marnus Labuschagne to return to his spiritual home.

Captain Sam Northeast Coach Richard Dawson 2024 6th 2025 prediction 7th

Gloucestershire