County Championship 2024

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The clocks have gone forward, spring has arrived, and it's time for another joyous iteration of cricket's County Championship. This year it is sponsored by sheer pace, as that's what Rob Key has ordered from on high.

There are some format changes to be aware of. Most notably, the points for a draw have gone back to eight, after last season's trial experiment of reducing them to five. The Kookaburra ball will be used for four rounds of the County Championship, up from two last season. And hybrid pitches are allowed for the first time, in a one season experiment.

Division One has lost Middlesex and Northants to relegation, and they are replaced by last year's runaway winners of Division Two, Durham, and the somewhat unlikely presence of Worcestershire.

Surrey are strong favourites to make it three titles in a row. If they achieve it, it would be the third time in County Championship history that Surrey have won it three times in a row, which is rather fitting. Strengthening their side this year is the addition of England's constant nearly man Dan Lawrence, from title rivals Essex.

As well as Essex, Warwickshire, Lancashire and Nottinghamshire are considered the leading rivals to stop Surrey's run. Nottinghamshire have added England quick Josh Tongue to their bowling arsenal, and supplemented the batting with the return of Kiwi Will Young for seven games. Lancashire have secured the services of Nathan Lyon for seven games this season. Essex are considered second favourites with the bookmakers, though they've lost an awful lot of players, including Cook and Lawrence, but they have added Dean Elgar to the ranks.

Worcestershire look doomed to relegation from the outset, not helped by losing Tongue. Kent have flirted with relegation in recent seasons, and are likely to be close to the drop again. They've added Parkinson to their bowling repertoire. Durham will also be looking over their shoulder, and they've added the intriguing figure of Scott Boland to their squad until the end of July.

Somerset and Hampshire occupy a curious middle ground. Neither look strong enough to mount a title challenge, but equally they shouldn't be threatened by the drop.

In Division Two, the most successful county of all time, Yorkshire, are once again trying to break out of the tyranny of the lower tier. They were strong favourites to bounce back up last year, but only managed three wins from 14, and their misery was compounded by a total of a 50 points deduction (but they would have still missed out on promotion even if that didn't happen). Their only squad addition this year is the permanent signing of Moriarty from Surrey, after a short loan stint last season.

Last year's two relegated teams, Middlesex and Northants, will be bidding to do what Yorkshire couldn't do last season and get straight back up. Most notably for Middlesex, they've lost Murtagh to retirement after 16 years at the county and over 1,000 wickets in all formats. Northants have added Bartlett from Somerset and the genuine pace of Scrimshaw from Derbyshire to the squad for this season.

Also giving promotion a damn good go will be Sussex, Leicestershire and Glamorgan, who all narrowly missed out last season. The exciting Jayden Seales will be available for Sussex for the early part of the year, but Jofra Archer sadly won't be. Leicestershire gave it a proper effort last season, despite plenty of off the field turmoil, and it'll be interesting to see if they can replicate it once more amongst quite a few squad changes. Glamorgan have added one-test Mason Crane to their side, while retaining the ability of Labuschagne for a few games. He's probably keen for a few runs.

Rounding off the division are Derbyshire and Gloucestershire. Neither of them won a game last season. Derbyshire have at least been very busy in the off season, adding (among others) Pat Brown, Blair Tickner and Samit Patel, though they have lost the stable presence of du Plooy and the aforementioned Scrimshaw.

All starts on Friday. On with the merriment.

There have been some amazing matches in the county championship this season with the Somerset-Surrey match among the most dramatic.

Always good to see Surrey, a county awash with money and seemingly able to sign up almost anyone at anytime, coming a cropper.

Their latest ruse was to bring in Shakib on a turning pitch at Taunton, only to be bowled out by an 18-yr-old rookie. Brilliant.

There's a lot of basic ingredients to like in Vaughan Jnrs off breaks. Dip, spin, height, bounce. Seems accurate enough too. I wonder if he may follow the Josh de Caires route of coming through as a batter, then becoming a spin bowling all-rounder.

Only just realised that Banton was injuring playing FOOTBALL in the third-day warm-up. Idiot.

All coaches should ban all players from playing ANY football. You don't see Harry Kane practising slip catches before a soccer match.

Into the final two games now. Surrey have extended their advantage at the top after day one. They managed to bowl Durham out for 262, Worrall leading the figures, although Durham were at a solid foundation at 130/3. Surrey were then steady in response at 52/0, with Burns scoring 40* in a lop sided scoreboard.

Rivals Somerset...their day went from brilliant to odd. They bowled relegation-threatened Lancashire out for 140, Overton and Gregory with four each, and were soon 58/1 with the bat. What followed was an astonishing collapse, with Somerset being shot out for 146. The game back in the balance, and crucial potential batting points squandered. Somerset took one more wicket before stumps, with Lancashire leading by just 10. Could be over tomorrow!

Lancashire's possible good result has put more pressure on Notts to keep their head above water. Fortunately for them, they've made 393/6 v Kent, who are driven further down. Slater scored 160.

Warwickshire were bowled out for 79, Snater 5/13, but Essex could only scramble to 189/9 at stumps. And Hampshire dominated with 373/4 v Worcestershire, unbeaten centuries for Gubbins and Dawson.

All three teams in the promotion hunt in Division Two had a good day, which is bad for Middlesex who need to make up ground. Sussex continued their dominance of the division, dismissing Gloucestershire for 109, and then advancing to 149/4 at stumps. Unadkat with 4/32, continuing his strong season.

Yorkshire scored 361ao v Glamorgan, a more than solid start. Middlesex took complete control v Derbyshire, first bowling them out for 173, then scoring 125/1 in response. They need to maximise batting points and hope Yorkshire slip up tomorrow.

https://x.com/SomersetCCC/status/1836444241792303359

Given not out?

Duty281 wrote:https://x.com/SomersetCCC/status/1836444241792303359

Given not out?

Say it basically every game, the standard of county umpiring is shocking. Sam Curran's LBW today wasn't hitting the stumps in a month of Sundays

A big step forward for Surrey today. They converted their 52-0 to 415ao, although it wasn't without a few wobbles as they were 169/5 at one stage. Patel was extraordinary with 134, with T Curran and Lawes able to occupy the crease for lengthy intervals and keep him company. That's a lead of 153, plus four batting points, and Surrey also managed to take one more wicket in the two overs before stumps.

Somerset, conversely, didn't have a good day. They only managed to take six wickets today, although they were certainly robbed by the above decision, and were frustrated by Wells' 78* and Bohannon's brisk 60, as well as Singh occupying the crease for 142 balls. Lancashire have a lead of 292 for the loss of seven. Somerset will be facing a chase in the low 300s. I wouldn't say that's impossible on this pitch. It's turning, but Lancashire have loaded up with seam, and the bounce is still good. Somerset have to chase it to keep their title hopes alive.

Notts bowled Kent out for 225. Farhan Ahmed 4/37. He already has 20 FC wickets in just four games at the age of sixteen. What a prospect! Kent were invited to follow on but, as often happens, it wasn't as easy for the bowlers second time around - Kent 85/0, still trailing by 123.

Essex bowled Warwickshire out for 114 to complete an innings win in about a day and a half. And Gubbins finished up with 201* for Hampshire in a score of 462. They then bowled Worcestershire out for 273 in an odd innings - 61/5 to 257/5 to 273ao! Dawson backing up his ton with another five-fer. The most underrated and underappreciated county cricketer of recent years. Should have played many more tests than he has.

Sussex's 149/4 turned into a somewhat underwhelming 311ao. And Gloucestershire showed resistance in the third innings with 140/3, trailing by 62. Sussex still in charge, but might be a small chase awaiting them.

Yorkshire bowled Glamorgan out for 239, with identical 4/55s for Fisher and Coad. The misery was piled on the Welsh county as Yorkshire breezed to 116/1 at stumps, a lead of 238.

Middlesex finished with 358, a century for Stoneman, and they reduced Derbyshire to 74/3 at stumps. Middlesex still leading by 111, but with Yorkshire's dominance in their fixture, Middlesex aren't making up ground.

And Northants are closing in on a big win over Leicestershire. More disappointment for Rehan who has struggled this season - 1/120 with the ball in this one, while Chahal has taken 6/104.

347-7, lead of 339 now for Lancs with Wells unbeaten on 111. Comms in that game for some reason bleating on that Somerset won't attempt to chase it (?!). I realise you have a lot of time to fill doing these comms, but do it without actual ridiculousness.

Leach has just taken the eighth wicket, which should have happened last night, but the lead is up to a towering 380.

Still about 164 overs left in the game, so definitely a bit early to be talking up the merits of replicating Atherton in 1995!

Surrey fielding 6 front line seamers in the game that will likely seal them a third straight win feels like Stewie having one final laugh before stepping back at the Oval.

Most of English cricket discussing the need for balanced pitches, more spin, etc. Meanwhile, the only financially viable county in the game uses Dan Lawrence as their spinner, stacks the team with seam bowling all-rounders, bat down to 9 or 10, wins year on year.

If they seal it here, I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if Stewie gets the Curran's to open the batting next week so they can fit 8 seamers in the XI. Just really smash home his point that Surrey will do what they want. Jamie Overton back at 3 even though he can't bowl at the moment. Topley and Jordan out of red ball hibernation for the hell of it.

Somerset wrap up the tail quickly after Wells falls, will need 393 to win. From what little I've seen, the pitch isn't doing anything ridiculous and Lancs have just batted a long time on it...so it doesn't seem an impossible chase, albeit will take a great effort to get there. No idea what happened on day one there!

All out now. Somerset will need 393 in five sessions to keep their Championship hopes alive.

I'd still say it's a good batting wicket, there is some turn, but the bounce is mostly true. That scoreboard pressure will likely make the difference however!

Somerset in a world of trouble at 155-5

Yeah, they were going nicely at 109/1, although they needed a fair bit of fortune to get that far, with Jennings spilling a routine chance off Vaughan's edge and a couple of good looking LBW shouts turned down.

But certainly looks all over now. Somerset will wonder how they lost, and undid all the positive work from the Surrey game, from a position of 58/1 in response to Lancashire's 140!

Rew and Aldridge were giving Somerset late hope, but Aldridge fell to what was the final ball of the day.

Somerset 204/6, 189 more needed. They basically need Rew to score the bulk of the runs and hope for enough support from Gregory and Overton.

Most of the games wrapping up with results. Surrey are almost there, again. They bowled Durham out for 177, Worrall and Curran with four each, and chased down the easy 25 with all wickets remaining. Title won tomorrow, I think, unless Somerset pull out an astonishing comeback.

Kent's resistance fell away. 85/0 turned into 230ao and an easy ten wicket win for Notts. They'll be safe if Somerset complete the astonishing comeback tomorrow.

Hampshire wobbled with the bat, but still set Worcestershire 394 to win. Overnight, Worcestershire are 117/5, so it seems over.

Sussex didn't even need to go through the rigours of a chase. Their promotion is confirmed. Middlesex won by an innings, with TRJ picking up ten in the match. But they'll still be trailing Yorkshire in the battle for second, with Yorkshire needing just three wickets tomorrow to complete a win.

And Northants beat Leicestershire by nine wickets.

Bacon. Check.
Eggs. Check.
Toast. Check.
Coffee. Check.
Laptop on. Check.
Lancs beating Somerset. Checking.

There will be no inspired comeback from Somerset, Surrey can relax.

Somerset lost a wicket to the first ball of the day, setting the tone, and they're now nine down.

Feel sorry for Somerset, who were eyeing a possible treble about 10 days ago, but will end the season with no silverware.

Interesting VTR, I found it quite amusing

Quite ridiclous that the OZ domestic season has started and we still have another round of CC games to play..it's october next week!

VTR wrote:Feel sorry for Somerset, who were eyeing a possible treble about 10 days ago, but will end the season with no silverware.

Don't worry, we're used to it!

Last round of the County Championship starts today.

Weather set to dominate, unfortunately, with lots of rain predicted for today. This is bad news for Lancashire, who need a win to have a chance of staying up, and Middlesex, who need a win and a Yorkshire slip up to get promotion.

Well Lancashire are giving it a good go in their desperate bid to stay up. They took seven wickets in 26 overs, leaving Worcestershire 119/7, although Lancashire will be frustrated because the batting side were 22/5 at one point.

Nottinghamshire, the team above Lancashire, only played 15 overs, reaching 33/2.

Fifteen wickets fell at Taunton, in the dead rubber between Somerset and Hampshire. Somerset were bowled out for 136, 4/28 for Dawson, but fought back through Leach's 3/9 to limit Hampshire to 62/5.

Essex put up 116/1 v Surrey. All other games had no play.

Poor old Somerset even end up as runners up in the match to be the season's runners up.

Hants beat them by 5 wickets with Duty's superhero Dawson seeing his side home.

Yep, another amazing season for Dawson. 9th highest runscorer and 3rd highest wicket taker in Division One this season. Batting average of 59.75, three centuries and a SR of 67; bowling average of 25 with five five wicket hauls.

Last three seasons in the CC, Dawson is averaging 44.12 with the bat and 23.76 with the ball. Easily the best all rounder England could have, and an utter joke that he hasn't been selected, and will never be selected again, for England's test team in recent years.

Duty, many thanks for the thread and timely updates throughout the season. Much appreciated.

And the last update is to say that Lancashire's relegation is confirmed. They couldn't beat Worcestershire, and even if they could, Notts' 487 took it out of reach anyway.

Yorkshire will be back in Division One. They clinched promotion in style by scoring 726! Sussex won Division Two.

Seven players scored 1,000 or more runs in Division One. Bedingham led the way with 1,331 runs, nearly 200 ahead of second place. An astonishing 78 average and six tons. Hameed was also in the 1,000 club and had a very good season with a 52 average. Cox had a 65 average, but fell just short of 1,000.

Porter was the leading wicket taker in Division One, with 56 @ 19.25. But Worrall and Cook had slightly lower averages but played fewer games.

Duty281 wrote:Yep, another amazing season for Dawson. 9th highest runscorer and 3rd highest wicket taker in Division One this season. Batting average of 59.75, three centuries and a SR of 67; bowling average of 25 with five five wicket hauls.

Last three seasons in the CC, Dawson is averaging 44.12 with the bat and 23.76 with the ball.  Easily the best all rounder England could have, and an utter joke that he hasn't been selected, and will never be selected again, for England's test team in recent years.

Does rather point up how little they think of CC form in Test selection. (Can see why they sometimes pick someone rather in advance of outstanding FC figures : the likes of Trescothick for instance worked out well ; but I think they've gone a bit overboard on it lately.) Dawson definitely seems to have been the victim of somewhat harsh early judgement.

It does seem to have flown massively under the radar that a 23yo English qualified spinner took 50 wickets at 22 in Div 2 this year too!

Jack Carson was on the Lions tours that first alerted them to Bashir - so he is on the radar - but that is an incredible season and there was no buzz about him going to Pakistan at all.

JDizzle wrote:It does seem to have flown massively under the radar that a 23yo English qualified spinner took 50 wickets at 22 in Div 2 this year too!

Jack Carson was on the Lions tours that first alerted them to Bashir - so he is on the radar - but that is an incredible season and there was no buzz about him going to Pakistan at all.

Hi JD - Yep, as you say, little buzz about Carson. Even though he's been on a Lions tour and so can't be unknown to England's management, I suspect there's a feeling that ''doing it in Div 2'' doesn't count for too much.

Be interesting to see how he gets on next season with him and Sussex having been promoted to the top tier and, if successful, whether that attracts more attention.

Carson was one of those talked up before the India tour in fairness. I think he was certainly looked at judging by the rumours. Bashir and Hartley pipped him as the "quicker, high release point" options they were looking at. Then Leach and Rehan were incumbents going into that tour to an extent.

I really like that they've backed Bashir as I think he's got as much potential as I've seen in an English spinner for a long time. Then Leach as a finger spinner who turns it the other way and Rehan as a wrist-spinner who can bat make sense for the Pakistan tour. The conditions and necessary make up of an XI there could be all over the place there given that Pakistan cricket is all over the place (even by Pakistan cricket standards!) and Stokes might not bowl as much.

Carson can more than hold a bat as well. Which often helps English spinners given there can be home Tests where they aren't as influential. I'd hope that he'd be ahead of Hartley and the other supporting cast if a spinner got injured in Pakistan.