Ferchi

Season prospects: Durham were seen by many as relegation certainties for 2013. It was amazing then, that they won the title in fine style with a club-record 10 victories to boot. This summer is difficult to assess as the squad has been trimmed again for financial reasons and Ben Stokes, Graham Onions and Scott Borthwick could all be away at times on international duty. The signing of Australian all-rounder John Hastings is an interesting one as they did not employ an overseas player last year. Is he a straight replacement for Stokes? They could well miss the influence around the club of the likes of Will Smith, Callum Thorp and Dale Benkenstein, but the young players who stepped in last year did an astounding job and will have more belief in themselves as a result.