Champions Kimblesworth will be the team to beat in the Durham County League this season - but several clubs will push them all the way.

Kimblesworth pipped Evenwood for the title last season, and showed their all-round strength in depth along the way.

And this season, they have strengthened their squad with the return of batsman Stephen Meek from Philadelphia. Mahsood Mirza and Farooq Iqbal will also be key players, while Michael Fishwick will again be their professional.

Evenwood, who had their best season for several years, will have almost the same team at their disposal, although they have lost last season's skipper Michael Pedelty and bowler Gavin Kellett, so Craig Dargue takes over the captaincy. Deighton Butler has returned for his second season as professional.

Crook Town have appointed their first Australian professional in Joe Barnes, an all-rounder. Calvin Stephenson has left the club after several years for Murton, while Jon Nuttall could be missing for most of the season because of work. That opens the door for Lee Morton to stake a regular claim.

Esh Winning have brought in a new pro, spinner Tariq Mehmood, but will be mostly unchanged from last season, with Ian Dixon as captain and Graham Hurst his deputy.

Mainsforth, who achieved their best finish in the league when they finished sixth last summer, have added to their squad with the return of wicketkeeper Gary Johns from Shildon, while they are hoping that David Fishburn continues his development as an all-rounder.

Gary Chismon stays as professional, but veteran John Irvine has retired from first-team cricket.

Brandon have brought in Darren Punshon and Stephen Milburn from Ushaw Moor.

Aussie Campbell Robertson has returned, while Steve Dunsford will be captain.

Shildon Railway have appointed Charlie Burke as their new professional and he will help bring the club's youngsters along. Phil and Robert Timmens, as well as Gary Johns, have left, so several second-team players will be promoted. Martin Horner is the new captain.

Langley Park just managed to beat the deadline to bring in their new professional, Tyrone Beaton, one of several Aussies in the league. Bowler Simon Huscroft has left for Crook Town, but Eddie Watson has arrived from Esh Winning to replace him.

Etherley have appointed professional Gary Cummings as their captain, with Michael Crane as vice-captain.

Ushaw Moor have signed a new professional, Sanjay Raaol, and batsman Barry Messer from Bearpark and promoted bowler Scott Nattrass from the seconds.

Tudhoe will again be led by skipper Kevin Littlefair, while Sedgefield all-rounder Neil Mulvaney is ruled out for several weeks. Dave Borthwick has joined Eppleton and Micky Ridley will be captain.

Willington have brought in Paul Donnelly, once of Lanchester.