By Simon Mann Test Match Special commentator

Lancashire have re-established themselves as one of the strongest all-round teams in the country.

Lancashire hope Dominic Cork can turn them into champions

As such, they have an excellent chance of winning their first championship since they shared the title with Surrey in 1950.

They were in contention last season, losing only two matches, but misfortune with the weather and defeat by Sussex at Hove in mid-August left them with too much ground to make up in the last month.

They finished 34 points behind the eventual champions whom they beat by an innings in the return fixture.

The Lancashire squad is a settled one and has been improved by one notable addition.

Dominic Cork's is not everyone's favourite but he will provide greater depth to Lancashire's already useful pace attack, relieving the burden on reliable veteran Peter Martin and Glen Chapple.

If he stays fit he could be the difference between a title challenge and eventual success.

LANCASHIRE'S 2003 RECORD County Championship: 2nd, Division One National League: 1st, Division Two (promoted) C&G Trophy: Semi-finalists Twenty20 Cup: 4th in North Group

Cork will also be a useful addition in the one-day game.

Lancashire won promotion in the National League last season and threw away what looked a certain victory in the semi-finals of the C&G Trophy. They should be among the trophy contenders again.

The one unknown is the availability of James Anderson. He possesses an England contract but is currently out of the team and management might be persuaded that he would benefit from bowling more in county cricket.

Assuming his role will be a limited one, there are other options with Sajid Mahmood one to watch after his winter with the England Academy.

The batting is formidable. Carl Hooper and Stuart Law return to fill the overseas places and, unlike most other counties, Lancashire will not be disrupted by international call-ups.

Both had phenomenal seasons with the bat in 2003, scoring 12 championship centuries between them.

Loye was reinvigorated by his move to Old Trafford

Mal Loye and Iain Sutcliffe both settled in quickly scored heavily in their first seasons with the club while Mark Chilton made a big breakthrough, passing 1,000 runs for the first time in his career.

Hooper is also a useful member of the bowling attack. His off-spin provides captain Warren Hegg with control as well as wicket-taking potential.

Gary Keedy enjoyed the best season of his career in 2003 with 60 Championship wickets.

His challenge now is to maintain that standard under the inevitable increased scrutiny. The pitches at Old Trafford will go some of the way to helping him.

On the downside, Lancashire will have to cope with the pressure of expectation.

They also have an ageing side - several players are well into their thirties.

Quality and experience, however, should count and they will not be easy to stop.