By Simon Mann Test Match Special commentator

No other team had their plans disrupted like Hampshire.

Shane Warne's failed drugs test and subsequent one-year ban stripped Hampshire of a shrewd, motivated captain and a genuinely world-class performer.

With him in the side, they would have been promotion favourites.

Australian Simon Katich promises a healthy haul of runs

The signing of Wasim Akram partially makes up for Warne's absence. He is past his best but should still be a formidable opponent at this level if he stays motivated and fit.

It has been harder to fill the vacant captain's role and it must be unsettling that it took so long to do so.

Wasim, Simon Katich and Robin Smith all ruled themselves out. Smith, who relinquished the role after five years, wants to concentrate solely on his batting.

John Crawley, Will Kendall, Shaun Udal and Nic Pothas were all mentioned as possible candidates before Crawley was chosen with the new season less than a fortnight away.

It was hardly a stunning vote of confidence in the new man that Wasim, a player with little knowledge of the county, was the preferred choice.

The initial reluctance in choosing Crawley was perhaps understandable - he could miss several matches because of Test commitments.

But the club's eventual decision smacks of being the least worst option rather than a positive step.

Crawley takes over a side with a strong bowling attack and a fragile batting line-up.

Only Crawley himself finished in the top 40 of the First Division batting averages last season and much will depend on him and Katich.

As with many other counties, availability is the key.

Katich will miss the first two championship matches because of his involvement with Australia A while Crawley's participation will depend on how England's selectors assess the way forward.

HAMPSHIRE 2003 Team Manager: Paul Terry Captain: John Crawley Overseas players: Simon Katich, Wasim Akram Players in: Ed Giddins Players out: Adrian Aymes, Neil Johnson, Giles White, Jason Laney Second chance as skipper

At least two of Kendall, John Francis, Derek Kenway and Pothas need to improve on last year's efforts if Hampshire's bowlers are to be given sufficient support.

The former Australian Test bowler Bruce Reid is coaching Hampshire's attack during April and there is plenty of talent under his guidance.

Wasim's record speaks for itself, Alan Mullally is another potential match-winner, Dmitri Mascarenhas is reliable, Shuan Udal is among the best English spinners in the county game - he took 50 wickets last summer - and Chris Tremlett is a highly-promising pace-bowler.

There were good reports of Tremlett's progress at the England Academy during the winter and he is one to watch this summer.

Alex Morris should come back into contention after missing most of last season because of injury.

Despite undergoing a back operation in February he hopes to be fit for the start of the season. Morris has an awful fitness record but has an excellent strike rate once he gets on the field.

Ed Giddins' signing is a gamble. The positive spin is that he is an experienced swing bowler who is a handful in English conditions.

He should get more opportunities than he did at Surrey for whom he played only six championship matches last season, taking 19 wickets at 36.63.