By Simon Mann Test Match Special commentator

Derbyshire led the County Championship Second Division table last season but, in the absence of captain Dominic Cork, fell away to finish sixth.

Cork is unlikely to be required by England again and could help keep them in contact with top three, but they are more likely to finish in mid-table.

Kevin Dean's return to fitness had a major impact last season

He has been motivated at county level by the captaincy, coupled with his relentless desire to play for England.

In eight matches in 2002 he took 57 wickets at 16.68 and scored 404 runs at 31.07 and will not have given up on his international career just yet.

Cork heads a bowling attack that is among the best in the division.

The batting though is lightweight and depends too much on Michael Di Venuto, who was the second highest run-scorer in Division Two last season with 1,538 runs at 61.52.

He had useful support from Chris Bassano and Andrew Gait but Matthew Dowman, Steve Selwood, Steve Stubbings, Dominic Hewson and Luke Sutton all struggled.

It is hardly a batting line-up to frighten those with genuine promotion aspirations.

It was not surprising that Derbyshire turned to Nathan Astle as their second overseas signing but he was forced to withdraw because of a chronic knee injury that hampered him during the World Cup.

Shahid Afridi has been signed to replace him. He will provide excitement, especially in the one-day game, but may not bring the consistency that Derbyshire are searching for.

Derbyshire's batting line-up is so thin that they discussed re-signing Kim Barnett who was released by Gloucestershire.

His return would have been a retrograde step and, rightly, Derbyshire are concentrating their efforts on developing their younger players.

DERBYSHIRE 2003 Coach: Adrian Pierson Captain: Dominic Cork Overseas players: Michael Di Venuto, Shahid Afridi

They are not the no-hopers of two years ago when they finished bottom and have been stabilised by Kevin Dean, Graeme Welch, Gait and Mohammed Ali all signing new contracts.

The only major change since last has come off the field with Colin Wells sacked as coach and replaced by second team coach Adrian Pierson.

Dean's return to fitness had a major impact last season.

He played in every match and was the Second Division's leading wicket-taker with 80. He and Cork form a potent new ball pairing.

The support comes from two contrasting bowlers - Ali and Welch.

Ali is a 29-year-old left-arm pace-bowler who took 47 wickets in his first season and has been rewarded with a new, two-year contract.

Welch took 55 wickets last season to add to 44 in 2001. He is a useful back-up county bowler.

The signing of Afridi will add some variety to the spin attack.

Left-armer Lian Wharton is still developing and is well thought of but in a side dominated by pace will struggle to make an impact.