2001 record: County Championship - 6th, Division One; National League - 6th, Division Two; C&G Trophy - Semi-finals, lost to Leicestershire; Benson and Hedges Cup - Group losers

Captain: Warren Hegg

Overseas player: Stuart Law

INS: David Byas (Yorkshire), Stuart Law (Essex), G. Maiden, Alec Swann (Northamptonshire)

OUTS: Mike Atherton, Ian Austin, Richard Green, Joe Scuderi, John Crawley (Hampshire)

Prospects: The signing of Byas is a gamble for all concerned - but, especially after the inevitable loss of Crawley, Lancashire badly need a tried and tested addition to their brittle batting.

Law has a fresh challenge and should respond in kind; more comfortable survival in the top flight looks the best they can hope for.