Paul Edwards heads to Lancashire to see how the Red Rose county are gearing up for another championship campaign

Ready for work: Lancashire recruit Joe Mennie bowls for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield against New South Wales
PICTURE: Getty Images

Optimism is tuppence a pound at this time of year. When The Cricket Paper previews the 18 counties next week, readers may find a host of coaches and captains tipping their sides to “surprise a few people” and none who think the surprise in question will take the form of miserable under-achievement.
Whatever ...