English Domestic Season 2026

[chris.hinton]

Sussex Cash Crisis casts doubts over squads future

Sussex cash crisis: Doubt over Paul Farbrace and players' futures

Head coach Paul Farbrace tells Sussex members his future - and that of his players - is uncertain because of the club's financial issues.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[chris.hinton]

Worcestershire Coach Alan Richardson's Squad Preview

And so it begins! Alan Richardson's 2026 Pre-Season Preview - Worcestershire CCC

wccc.co.uk

 

[chris.hinton]

Derbyshire vs Leicestershire preview (Friendly)

Pre-Season Preview: Derbyshire Men vs Leicestershire - Derbyshire County Cricket Club

Derbyshire Men kick-off their pre-season fixture schedule with a three-day game against Leicestershire at The Uptonsteel County Ground, starting tomorrow

derbyshireccc.com

 

[Yeoman]

My Predictions

County Championship

Champions: Surrey, Runners-Up: Somerset
Relegated: Leicestershire, Essex

Division 2

Winners: Lancashire
Promoted: Worcestershire

T20 Cup: Gloucestershire
One Day Cup: Hampshire

I am usually wide of the mark but here are my predictions:

Division 1

Surrey
Nottinghamshire
Somerset
Warwickshire
Essex
Hampshire
Yorkshire
Sussex
Leicestershire
Glamorgan

I am sorry to put Leicestershire and Glamorgan last as seeing how they do in the first division after long absences will be a point of interest for me, however I cannot see it otherwise.

Division 2

Derbyshire
Durham
Worcestershire
Lancashire
Middlesex
Northamptonshire
Kent
Gloucestershire

 

[Third_Man]

I am usually wide of the mark but here are my predictions:

Division 1



I am sorry to put Leicestershire and Glamorgan last as seeing how they do in the first division after long absences will be a point of interest for me, however I cannot see it otherwise.

Sussex are giving them both a 12 point start, though.

 

[Hungry Llama]

Sussex Cash Crisis casts doubts over squads future

Sussex cash crisis: Doubt over Paul Farbrace and players' futures

Head coach Paul Farbrace tells Sussex members his future - and that of his players - is uncertain because of the club's financial issues.

www.bbc.co.uk

There doesnt seem to be any explanation by the board how they got into this mess. Without the ECB bailout, theyr bankrupt it seems.

 

[Woodster]

Well the domestic season is due to start next month in the West Indies, Perhaps they want Seales to play in that

But hasn’t that competition been significantly reduced to a quite farcical structure? Stronger competition would surely benefit Seales more.

However, if there are any fitness concerns around him, I do get that, such is his importance to WI.

 

[ImpatientLime]

But hasn’t that competition been significantly reduced to a quite farcical structure? Stronger competition would surely benefit Seales more.

However, if there are any fitness concerns around him, I do get that, such is his importance to WI.

It is suspected it's the WI managing his workload.

 

[Yeoman]

There doesnt seem to be any explanation by the board how they got into this mess. Without the ECB bailout, theyr bankrupt it seems.

An article a few weeks ago implied that they had followed a 'build it and they will come' strategy on the squad which did not attract the crowds and wider support that they had hoped. Poor strategy if true.

 

[Woodster]

It is suspected it's the WI managing his workload.

Not sure why these deals get done for the players home governing body to then step in and say we need to monitor workloads! Seems a waste of everyone’s time.

 

[Woodster]

I am usually wide of the mark but here are my predictions:

Division 1

Surrey
Nottinghamshire
Somerset
Warwickshire
Essex
Hampshire
Yorkshire
Sussex
Leicestershire
Glamorgan

I am sorry to put Leicestershire and Glamorgan last as seeing how they do in the first division after long absences will be a point of interest for me, however I cannot see it otherwise.

Division 2

Derbyshire
Durham
Worcestershire
Lancashire
Middlesex
Northamptonshire
Kent
Gloucestershire

Yes I think there’s a lot to like with the Surrey/Derbsyhire top spot double, I fancy Essex to register a more serious threat to that top spot this season, they‘ve added some much needed bowling depth, Sam Cook I expect will be back to his best and the batting is packed with runs. Wiaan Mulder should be a really good addition in both disciplines.

I think it’ll be tough for Notts to go back-to-back with Tongue likely to miss more cricket with England this year but they’ll still be a strong proposition.

 

[Blenkinsop]

I think it'll be between Surrey and Notts again for the top spot. Can't see Glamorgan staying up but I hope Leics manage it. Sussex also obvious candidates for the drop especially considering the trouble they're in.

Durham ought to go straight back up to Div 1. Hard to call the other promotion spot I think.

 

[chris.hinton]

Surrey won't make the mistakes of last year and will win the title again, the strongest squad really and will hit a level of consistency across all departments during the season.

 

[chris.hinton]

As for Durham, I don't actually think they will do much this year and finish around 4th.

 

[brandon]

Sussex Cash Crisis casts doubts over squads future

Sussex cash crisis: Doubt over Paul Farbrace and players' futures

Head coach Paul Farbrace tells Sussex members his future - and that of his players - is uncertain because of the club's financial issues.

www.bbc.co.uk

48 point deduction for Durham.

 

[kevinw]

Does the current Cricketer or Wisden have a CC preview at the moment? I should pick it up, if so.

Kent have got two of the old gang back again - Northeast and Milnes - and I'll take them over Leaning and Gilchrist (amazed the latter is a couple of bowling injuries away from the test side). They have a pretty decent batting line up that just underperforms. Hopefully Ben Dawkins gets plenty of cricket this Summer. Ekansh Singh too. Lots of all-round options too - Evison is still only 24, Denly's nephew and Olly Curtiss. The two South Africans - Dudgeon, Stuurman - need to be on it as it's quite a light bowling attack. Hopefully, midtable in CC2 is possible.

 

[brandon]

As for Durham, I don't actually think they will do much this year and finish around 4th.

Interested to hear your take on the why.

As a Durham supporter I think you’re about right with the placing. I worry we’ll struggle to gain promotion despite a lot of pundits thinking we’ll go straight back up. Too many questions exist about our bowling, which was - Raine aside - decidedly awful last year. Durham have a lot to prove in showing they can consistently take 20 wickets. If you can’t do that, as we couldn’t last year, you can’t be a success.

My other concern is that the opponents we’ll encounter in Division Two are much improved from the last time we were there.

I like the signing of Roach and I’m hopeful Minto can begin to mature as a cricketer. If Durham can get the gift of Ben Stokes for a few games then who knows.

 

[brandon]

Does the current Cricketer or Wisden have a CC preview at the moment? I should pick it up, if so.

Think the Cricketer one is up on their website.

 

[Woodster]

Yes definitely a preview in this month’s Cricketer, there’s also the Cricket Paper who have done a preview of the season.

 

[kevinw]

Interested to hear your take on the why.

As a Durham supporter I think you’re about right with the placing. I worry we’ll struggle to gain promotion despite a lot of pundits thinking we’ll go straight back up. Too many questions exist about our bowling, which was - Raine aside - decidedly awful last year. Durham have a lot to prove in showing they can consistently take 20 wickets. If you can’t do that, as we couldn’t last year, you can’t be a success.

My other concern is that the opponents we’ll encounter in Division Two are much improved from the last time we were there.

I like the signing of Roach and I’m hopeful Minto can begin to mature as a cricketer. If Durham can get the gift of Ben Stokes for a few games then who knows.

If Tribe has jumped to the top of the queue for Crawley replacements (wishful thinking), it would be good for Durham as Gay/McKinney can just focus on scoring runs for Durham. Add Lees, Bedingham and Ackermann and that's a solid top order. Robinson is a very good WK. Aldridge should be a decent signing (talked up as a potential England cricketer). Lot of pressure on Potts and an ageing Roach for wickets though.