BBC SPORT | Cricket | Counties | Bowlers of the season

BBC Sport Online's Ben Kunicki names the four most impressive bowlers of the 2002 Championship season.

Martin Saggers, Kent

A typically English swing and seam bowler, Saggers' record has been second to none over the past three years and 2002 was no exception.

While batsmen like Robert Key and David Fulton have taken the plaudits during Kent's recent revival, Saggers has taken the wickets.

Saggers took 83 wickets in the 2002 season at an average of 21, taking his tally to 204 since joining Kent in 2000.

Interestingly, Saggers only began his first-class career at the age of 24, playing a handful of matches for Durham until his release in 1999.

Bearing in mind the two counties respective positions, the error seems to have cost Durham dear.

James Anderson, Lancashire

Anderson is being touted as the latest England pace sensation after a successful debut season with Lancashire.

James Anderson
Anderson impressed with his pace
With the county floundering toward the foot of the table, youth was given it is head and Anderson responded grabbing 46 wickets at an average of 21 in his 11 matches.

His best moment came at the end of August against Somerset in Blackpool when he out-bowled England paceman Andy Caddick, taking six for 41 in the first innings.

His pace has elicited some excitement and Anderson is subsequently attending the ECB Academy in Adelaide during the winter.

With England contesting the Ashes at the same time, it would be no surprise to see Anderson come into the side if the pacemen fall foul of injury.

Kevin Dean: Derbyshire

Dean narrowly pipped Saggers to the post as the country's highest wicket-taker, with 83 at an average of 23 for Derbyshire.

His effort failed to inspire his side to promotion after a bright start but he proved that he could carry the attack in the absence of captain Dominic Cork.

Kevin Dean
Dean has finally rebounded from injury trouble
Dean's left-arm swing has been troubling batsmen for a number of years now but a series of injuries have restricted both the amount of cricket he has played and his pace.

His best effort came in the match against Glamorgan at the end of May when he inspired his side to a nine-wicket victory, after taking seven for 42 in the first innings.

The 26-year-old had not passed 50 wickets since 1998 due to his fitness problems but is now closing in on 300 first-class victims at an average of 22.

And this year he also surprisingly contributed with the bat, scoring two 50 and in the process passing his previous first class best of just 27.

Andy Harris, Nottinghamshire

After a promising start to his career, which saw him tour with England A in 1996-97, Harris had been struggling with both injury and form.

After beginning his career with Derbyshire, he moved to local rivals Nottinghamshire in 2000 but initially still struggled to get back on track.

Andy Harris
Harris was key to Notts' late promotion push
However, 2002 saw him back to his best as he played a crucial part in Nottinghamshire's promotion season.

Harris claimed 67 scalps through the season at an average of 22 but what was most impressive was his strike-rate of 37.

Having already claimed match-figures of 10-132 against Northamptonshire earlier in the season, Harris saved his best till last, taking another 10-wicket haul in Notts' crucial win over Worcestershire.

The challenge for Harris now is to consistently reproduce that form as Nottinghamshire try to consolidate in the top flight.


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