County cricket resumes this week, giving the chance to settle scores and claim a spot in the next iteration of England’s Test squad is at stake.
The County Championship will be played over seven rounds, with Ben Stokes set to lead the team in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s in June, but early-season interactions could set the stage for future names to prove their worth.
But it’s also a side note to the bigger picture, as Division One’s 10 teams begin their bid for the Lord Taverners Trophy from late September.
Can Sally get back on the horse and win her fourth title in five seasons? Can Nottinghamshire repeat last summer’s success? Are Sussex destined to return to Division Two after a winter of financial difficulties and point deductions?
We’re trying to predict who could be the candidates and who else might be fighting for survival…
A three-way title fight?
Both Nottinghamshire and Surrey are expected to remain bottom of the table again for the majority of the season.
Holders Notts will receive a boost with Ben Duckett expected to be available for some games in the opening stages of the season, following his decision to terminate his IPL contract with Delhi Capitals in order to regain form in England’s opening game.
Another player who is expected to perform well in the off-season is Ollie Pope from the University of Surrey.
He lost his place in the England squad after the Ashes defeat and will be wondering how he can get back into the competition after putting in performances that caught Jacob Bethell’s eye in all formats over the winter.
Will Ollie Pope be able to return to contention for England after appearing for Surrey earlier in the season?
Additionally, both teams will be stuffed with game winners.
Haseeb Hameed was highly praised for his form as Notts’ captain and amount of runs last season, while the next generation of Australian sprinters, Fergus O’Neill, will be among the overseas players early in the season, and England pair Olly Stone and Josh Tan should also get some decent minutes.
Surrey will welcome Sean Abbott for the first half of the Championship season to help strengthen their seam bowling. Gus Atkinson will be hoping to continue his form of recent years and show why he should lead England’s Test attack this summer.
Prediction: Surrey will bounce back from last season’s disappointment and regain the title. just.
Somerset will join them in pursuit of honors.
Opener and spinner Archie Vaughan hopes his career continues on an upward trajectory after playing winter cricket in Australia.
James (left) and Thomas Lew could both play key roles for Somerset this season
County will also be boosted by James Lew, who was called up as cover for England’s Test team early last season and has extended his contract. His younger brother Thomas will also be a key asset, having already attracted attention both as captain of England Under-19s and on the Lions’ winter tour of Australia.
chasing puck
There’s not much to choose from between these three, but that’s not very predictable, is it?!
Essex will be aiming to make up for last season’s poor performance which saw them drop to the relegation zone until they can produce a satisfactory result.
Rookie bowler Sam Cooke is looking to force his way into England’s Test plans after making his debut against Zimbabwe last season. The signings of Mitchell Killeen from Durham and Zaman Akhter from Gloucestershire will further increase our depth should he be called up.
Wian Mulder, who scored 367 goals without making an appearance for South Africa in less than a year, has been an exciting addition overseas at the start of the season, alongside compatriot and Essex stalwart Simon Harmer.
Jordan Cox could also be a wildcard candidate for England as a top-order batsman who can keep wickets if he is available away from his franchise league contract.
Sonny Baker wants to stay in England as he competes for Hampshire wickets
Hampshire always pack a punch in all departments, despite their only reprieve from a point difference drop last season due to Durham’s final-day collapse. They have an exciting batting line-up and the all-round skill presence of Liam Dawson.
Their attempts to sign players from abroad failed, with attempts to sign Australia’s Michael Nether and West Indies’ Jayden Shields replaced by South Africa’s Kodi Yusuf.
Separately, a lot of attention is expected to be on Sonny Baker, who received a baptism of fire in his international debut against South Africa last summer in white-ball cricket, and is seen as a promising prospect due to his fast bowling ability.
Warwickshire’s title hopes may have been dashed by the 11th-hour change of captain from Alex Davies to Ed Barnard, but they should win more than they lose, with Chris Woakes, now at the end of his England career, a promising prospect all season.
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Chris Woakes is looking forward to bringing his international experience to Warwickshire this season after retiring from England internationals
And the rest…
There will be great excitement as Glamorgan are in the top division for the first time since 2005.
It is hoped that Asa’s name will be on many people’s lips ahead of the first England Test in June.
The Jersey-born opener is seen as part of the next generation, having scored crucial goals in the county’s promotion push last summer, scoring a big century for the England Lions against Australia A in the winter and producing notable performances for the Pearl Royals in SA20.
Asa Tlaib could become England’s opener in the future, but he will want to score a vital goal for Glamorgan first.
Even if Glamorgan lose a Tribe to international commitments in the second half of the season, they should have enough experience with the bats of Sean Dixon and Colin Ingram to fend off danger.
Leicestershire are also back in the top tier for the first time in 22 years.
Rehan Ahmed scored and scored a number of runs on the march to the Division Two title and should once again be key with both bat and ball, before potentially further cementing himself as England’s front-line Test spinner.
The Foxes have brought in some experienced campaigners, including Stevie Eskinage from Middlesex and Josh Davey from Somerset, to strengthen both their batting and bowling.
Australian Peter Hanscomb did not return this year due to personal commitments and compatriot Jake Weatherald, who played for the Ashes over the winter, signed in his place in the opening block of matches.
New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel will also be part of the entire campaign.
The Foxes are expected to have enough strength to maintain momentum and bounce back, but it’s just…
Bait for relegation?
Yorkshire have work to do to build on last season’s stuttering season and make up for the loss of experienced players such as Dawid Malan and Jordan Thompson.
They will be hoping Australian quick bowlers Jay Richardson and Will Sutherland can stay fit and make an impact in their respective overseas stints, but if they don’t do well it could be a difficult season ahead despite Harry Brook and Joe Root both potentially being available early.
Sussex’s James Coles sold for a record price of £390,000 at The Hundred auction, but could he claim an England Test call-up?
Sussex are definitely off to a poor start, with 12 points to be exact after the ECB imposed sanctions on the county over the winter due to financial issues.
It’s a blow for Paul Fabres’ young team, who finished fourth in their first season back in the top flight in 2025, but the long-term uncertainty remains high.
James Coles, who made a fortune at The Hundred Auction, may also be out for an extended period of time if he is called up for England matches for both the red- and white-ball teams, but will Olly Robinson be able to take on the responsibility of being a captain to facilitate a great escape for the sea-dwellers?
prediction
Opening round jig
All games begin on Friday, April 3rd at 11am.
Cardiff: Glamorgan vs Yorkshire
Southampton: Hampshire vs Essex
Leicester: Leicestershire vs Sussex
Taunton: Somerset vs Nottinghamshire
Edgbaston: Warwickshire vs Surrey
