6 to Watch in the 2009 season

With 2009 going to be such a big year for cricket but mainly for English cricket these are the players who i think will make an impression this season. These are the players who i think will stand out either on the County circuit or on the world stage with so many major events in this calender year. How will Durham bounce back as County Champions, will Sussex cope without Chris Adams and more importantly Mustaq Ahmed, will Lancashire finally win the County Championship. This season has the potential to be a massive year for cricket and I personally am hoping for a great year. The Ashes are up coming can England bring them home, will India be crowned ICC Twenty20 World Champions again, will the West Indies defend the ICC Champions Trophy.

Paul Horton- Lancashire CCC

Paul Horton has been in sublime form for Lancashire for the last 2 seasons, he picked up the Player of the Year Award in 2007, and in the last two season in the County Championship he has wracked up 2000 runs exactly not bad for a person who prior to 2007 was Lancashires in-out players. Another big season from Horton could make him catch the eye of the England staff.

Ian Blackwell- Durham CCC & England

Ian Blackwell has been one of the stand out players in English cricket for the last few seasons whilst at Somerset, now playing with the County Champions, Durham, Blackwell has a bigger chance to shine. Blackwell has been in and out of the England team for the last few years, with his weight being an issue he has improved his fitness and is gunning to impress, personally my tip to play for England at some point during this summer

Mark Davies- Durham CCC

He is one of many impressive fast bowlers at the county but where the like of Steve Harmison, Liam Plunkett and Graham Onions have all been taken note by the England selectors Davies has plodded on taking wickets. Struggled with injury a few seasons ago but back to his best and with an impressive overall average of 21.17 in First-Class cricket, maybe this could be his year to break into the England team.

Adil Rashid- Yorkshire CCC

Rashid became Englands drinks carrier over the winter, but surely gain valuable experience along the way. He is a very young leg spinner and is as equally impressive with the bat as well. At the age of 20 he is a raw talent and one I can see playing a major part for England in the near future. With a batting average of 31.92 and a bowling average of 33.50 surely he wont be carrying the drinks on much longer.

Andrew Flintoff- Lancashire CCC & England

With the Ashes, Twenty20 World Cup, IPL, tour of South Africa and the ICC Champions Trophy all scheduled for Freddie this season, English cricket fans will be hoping, like myself, Andrew Flinoff comes back to his best, and most importantly, injury free. This is going to be a big year for Freddie as he tries to establish himself, once again, as the world best all rounder. England crickets Super star, he needs to be back to his destructive best and bring home the Ashes.

Phillip Hughes

Australias new batting sensation, he has scored 415 runs in 3 test matches in South Africa. Surely he is going to be one to watch for the Aussies this summer in the test Arena. He will start the season at Middlesex until Murali Karthik is back from IPL duty but with 2062 First Class runs at an average of 60.64 surely he will be a crucial wicket for the England team.