Defending County Championship Division One champions Lancashire ended 77 years without a championship victory in 2011 and know winning the title again would be a far more impressive achievement this time around. Betfair Cricket betting tips suggests that such an achievement is possible.

A dramatic final day in the County Championship saw Glen Chapple and his team of young Lancastrians win the first outright County Championship title since 1934, so all eyes are to be on them to be a success again in 2012.

They have Ashwell Prince as overseas player for the Championship and the CB40 and the youngish squad will be one season older, stronger and wiser than they were during last season’s campaign so fans might be fancying their chances of defending the title.

Lancashire’s season started in worrying circumstances as they were beaten by 10 wickets at Liverpool as Sussex were set a target of just one run to win. The Red Rose fans will be hoping this was just a blip and their aspirations to defend their County Championship title will get up and running over the coming months.

Prince reckons there remains a “good vibe” in the Lancashire changing room but they will have to be at their best as there are some quality County Championship outfits looking to steal their thunder. But the South African claims last year’s win means there is a swagger around the squad.

"Winning the title has given a lot of the guys some confidence,” he added.

Lancashire made the semi-final of the Friends Life t20 tournament last season thanks to an impressive contribution from Junaid Khan – and the 22-year-old seam bowler is set to return to Old Trafford in June to bolster the Red Rose’s challenge on both fronts.

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