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Champions Sussex have no intention of giving up
their Frizzell County Championship title without
a fight. Far from resting on the laurels of a first
triumph in their 164-year history, the county have
moved to ensure last season's triumph was not a
one-off.
Ian Ward was signed after he turned down the offer
of a reduced deal by Surrey, while captain Chris
Adams has put pen to paper on a two-year contract
extension that will keep him at Hove until 2006.
Pakistani leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed and former
Zimbabwe batsman Murray Goodwin - key figures in
Sussex's historic campaign - will once again fill
the roles of overseas players. Lancashire, runners-up
in four of the last six seasons, have added Derbyshire
skipper Dominic Cork to their squad in a bid to
banish the tag of perennial bridesmaids.
Former New Zealand coach Steve Rixon is charged
with reversing Surrey's fortunes, while Jon Batty
attempts to combine the roles of captain, wicketkeeper
and opening batsman. Only time will tell how Northamptonshire
cope without Mike Hussey and Phil Jaques during
what promises to be a testing first season in charge
for new skipper David Sales.
Kent are unlikely to struggle with the ball with
Pakistan paceman Mohammad Sami in the ranks, while
Middlesex's bowling armoury has been bolstered by
the arrivals of Nantie Hayward, Lance Klusener,
Paul Hutchison and Melvyn Betts.
Life after John Bracewell begins at Gloucestershire,
who have installed Mark Alleyne as player-coach
and Chris Taylor as captain.
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