Relegated last season, Hampshire will be determined to bounce back to the promised land of Division 1. What are their chances?
Strengths
A quick look at the squad leaves one wondering how they were relegated last season. The batting looks powerful with captain Jimmy Adams, Michael Carberry, Neil McKenzie, talented youngster James Vince and overseas star Simon Katich. The bowling also looks good with James Tomlinson, Chris Wood, Danny Briggs, David Balcombe (after a productive loan spell with Kent in 2011) and Dimitri Mascarenhas.
Weaknesses
Mascarenhas will miss the first two months of the season due to the IPL and some of the other bowlers have proved susceptible to injury in the past. Expectations will be high, which could add to the pressure.
Main man
The successful comeback of Michael Carberry from serious illness was one of the feelgood stories of last summer and if Andrew Strauss' troubles with the bat continue, the left hander could even add to the one cap he earned in Bangladesh in 2010.
Look out for
The new Michael Clarke dart board in the home dressing room at the Rose Bowl - Katich is not a fan.
Prediction
2nd - A swift return to Division 1 looks on the cards.
Where next?
Read our Division 1 previews: Durham, Lancashire, Middlesex, Notts, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex, Warwickshire and Worcestershire
Division 2 previews: Derbyshire, Essex, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northants and Yorkshire
2011 County Cricket Review: including Heroes of the Season, Best and Worst XIs, and a whole host of other nonsense
County Cricket 2011 Heroes: Michael Carberry
County Championship 2011 Preview - Hampshire
Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes
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