By Simon Mann Test Match Special commentator

After a turbulent winter and a large turnover of playing staff, it was no surprise that Leicestershire suffered double relegation last season.

Captain Phil DeFreitas begins his 20th season in county cricket

The bald facts can be a little misleading as although their Championship form was abysmal - they won only one match - their showing in the one-day game was more encouraging.

They reached the semi-finals of the Twenty20 Cup and were one victory away from staying up in the National League and two from finishing third - it was that tight.

The one-day competitions are likely to be their best hope of success this time round as despite some improvements, the bowling line-up still does not look quite strong enough to sustain a promotion challenge in the Championship.

Three pace bowlers - Garnett Kruger, Jon Dakin and Ottis Gibson - have been signed, while three - Devon Malcolm, Matt Whiley and Jamie Grove - have been released.

Dakin has re-joined the county from Essex where he had a reasonable season in 2003, but Kruger is an unknown factor.

The 26-year-old is behind the likes of Andre Nel and Dewald Pretorius in South Africa's pecking order and as neither of those had outstanding seasons in their first try at county cricket last year, it is expecting a lot of Kruger to adapt immediately.

LEICESTERSHIRE'S 2003 RECORD County Championship: 9th, Division One (relegated) National League: 7th, Division One (relegated) C&G Trophy: Quarter-finalists Twenty20 Cup: Semi-finalists

Phil De Freitas is desperate for support. He topped 50 wickets again last season but at 38 he cannot keep on carrying the attack.

The signing of the former South African Test player Claude Henderson will strengthen the spin department although it is another worrying example of a county using the rules to take the easy option.

Brad Hodge returns for his second season to add quality to the batting line-up and the club hopes he will improve on his 1,293 runs at 53.87 in 2003.

There is plenty of experience around him.

John Sadler made significant strides last summer

Darren Robinson has been brought in from Essex and he, Darren Maddy, Darren Stevens, Paul Nixon, and Jeremy Snape all have the potential to score healthily.

But apart from Hodge, only youngsters John Maunders and John Sadler caught the eye last summer.

Sadler, signed from Yorkshire, scored two centuries once he was finally given his chance and Maunders had an encouraging season on his arrival from Middlesex, also scoring two centuries and averaging 38.85.

Leicestershire are a club in transition. Not so long ago they were among the most consistent and successful in the country.

It could take a while before they become a force again.