Quartet looking to show Premier class

And with the league action getting under way tomorrow, we look at what can be expected from each team over the next five months.

Kidderminster

Captain: Matt Pardoe.

One to watch: Neil Pinner – Having featured for Leicestershire Seconds last season, Pinner, pictured below, will be available for the whole season this time around and will captain the side in Pardoe's absence.

Kidderminster will begin the campaign with Worcestershire paceman Chris Russell in their ranks, while former Worcester CC bowling all-rounder Liam Weston will also strengthen a team which finished fourth last season.

"We are not going to say we will come fourth or higher this time around," said Pardoe. "It's a different team and availability is not always going to be what we would like. The aim is to have a solid season and a top-half finish would be very welcome."

Walsall

Captain: David Powles.

One to watch: Ben Ladd-Gibbon – The Loughborough MCC bowling all-rounder arrives with an impressive pedigree, having played for Somerset seconds last season and come close to earning a deal at Middlesex.

Promoted back to the Premier Division at the first attempt as champions, a winter of strong recruitment has skipper David Powles in optimistic mood.

"I think we are stronger than last year," he says. "We've brought in Bruce Thomason, who was skipper at Brewood, along with Jack Warren and Waqar Ahmed.

"The squad is looking healthy. People are fighting for places. I'm not going to say we will win the league but I certainly think we can compete."

West Bromwich

Dartmouth

Captain: Kadeer Ali.

One to watch: Kabir Ali – He's going to bat at four and could surprise a few people.

Kadeer Ali: "The squad's shaping up well – we've lost three or four players but brought the same number in including Kabir Ali (former England fast bowler who retired from first class cricket last summer).

"He's struggling with his shoulder but he'll bowl some off-spin for us and will bat at number four and brings great experience.

"We're pretty confident and we're looking to win it.

"We're hoping Warwickshire's Ateeq Javid, who's played about five games in two years for us, will feature more if Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell are in the Warwickshire team."

Wolverhampton

Captain: Dan Bowyer.

One to watch: Zen Malik – A young batter signed this year who has hugely impressed in training.

Bowyer: "We've had a few in and a few out – there's been quite a lot of movement in the league this winter.

"But we needed to do that after just surviving last year.

"We're under no illusions as to what a tough league it is and how difficult a season we've got ahead of us.

"However we're strengthened in a few areas and we're hopefully well equipped.

"We couldn't ask for a much tougher test against the reigning champions Shrewsbury this weekend – they're a very strong outfit and have been for some time.

"I'm looking for a few of the younger players to step up to the plate this season."