English Domestic Season 2026

[chris.hinton]

Division 1

Somerset beat Essex by 10 wickets
Nottinghamshire beat Glamorgan by 192 Runs
Surrey draw with Leicestershire
Sussex beat Warwickshire by 5 wickets
Hampshire beat Yorkshire by 214 runs


Division 2

Durham beat Gloucestershire by an Innings and 202 runs
Worcestershire beat Middlesex by 57 Runs
Kent draw with Northamptonshire
Lancashire beat Derbyshire by 29 runs

 

[chris.hinton]

Amazing that Warwickshire lost from a really good position, Not good even with their bowling attack

 

[ataraxia]

These matters are seldom reversed - I fear it might be here even after the trail. Interesting read in the ECB FAQ:

Rothesay County Championship replacement player trial explained

www.ecb.co.uk

How often do you anticipate replacement players will be used?

Recent trials in Australian First Class cricket showed that replacement players were used in around 25 per cent of matches, albeit under a slightly different set of rules.

Using this logic, it is anticipated that one or two replacement players will take the field per round of Rothesay County Championship matches, although this number obviously might be higher or lower depending on circumstances.

Not sure the logic stacks up. 2 rounds each of 9 matches = 18 matches. 9 subs used to date (although one was for concussion). That's approaching 50% Even 8/18 is 44%.

Cynically given that only 2 of the 9 were in round 1 (as anticipated) it is possible that the suddenly rise to 6-7 is due to not having games in round 3? Or just increasingly seen as an option?

It was badly misused in Australia as well. No idea why the ECB followed that lead.

 

[Third_Man]

Surely a major fault is also this:

What safeguards are in place to avoid counties using replacements to gain an advantage in a match?

In the case of ill or injured players, the Chief Medical Officers of both teams will review the situation and sign off on the use of a replacement player.

they must be one of the most risk averse groups of people. I have sometimes thought they would prefer (some) players simply not to play cricket, and have firmly been behind the reduction of championship cricket. Wouldn't they sign anyone off from both sides at the slightest chance.

 

[Molehill]

Amazing that Warwickshire lost from a really good position, Not good even with their bowling attack

It's not unusual for pitches at Hove to flatten out as a match progresses, and I think this one did just that. What surprised both teams seemingly was that it wasn't a road first up and offered quite a bit for the bowlers. Turned out to be a cracking pitch for 4 day cricket (unlike The Oval), but I suspect if they know what they do now, Warks would've chosen to bowl first.

 

[Qlder]

Division 1 had 6 substitutes in the 5 games this round. With 150 years of no substitutes that's taking the piss surely?

There is an 8 day no play rule for any substitute but 4 of the 6 subbed out are not impacted as their next games are not until 24 April

 

[Third_Man]

Division 1 had 6 substitutes in the 5 games this round. With 150 years of no substitutes that's taking the piss surely?

There is an 8 day no play rule for any substitute but 4 of the 6 subbed out are not impacted as their next games are not until 24 April

Change the rule to a 15 day rule, no team misses two rounds, and instruct all county medical officers not to allow for injuries which will be rehabilitated in less than a fortnight.

 

[Midwinter]

Should at least have to miss their teams next game
regardless of when it is.

 

[Molehill]

Should at least have to miss their teams next game
regardless of when it is.

I suspect that will be the hastily arranged rule change we'll see. It's so obvious and will stop half these ridiculous decisions. It was brought in for the Woakes type injury, not a flippin' sore throat.

 

[Chin Music]

I suspect that will be the hastily arranged rule change we'll see. It's so obvious and will stop half these ridiculous decisions. It was brought in for the Woakes type injury, not a flippin' sore throat.

Reminds me of football a few years ago, when they brought in a rule where suspended players could play in a reserve game to help reduce the length of a suspension ban. Everyone played the system and that got thrown out quickly and rather than a ban meaning a couple of weeks before coming into effect, it came in straight away.

 

[Hungry Llama]

Not a great decision by Bancroft to field first at Bristol. Missed that. I thought Durhams have so many seamers, yet they need to sign Kemar who will soon be 38. Of corse Stokes is waiting for his face to heal, Carse is away in the IPL and just injured his bowling hand, Wood is prob only ever gonna bowl short forms, if that, but surely they have several home grown seamers.

 

[mackembhoy]

Guess I won't be watching Durham at Lancs then

Lancashire to put County Championship matches behind a paywall

 

[Third_Man]

Guess I won't be watching Durham at Lancs then

Lancashire to put County Championship matches behind a paywall

Just asked the BBC what their policy is regarding their commentators being behind a LCCC paywall. Should the away teams' commentators refuse to work behind the paywall?

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Not sure tweaks around the edges will make much difference with this whole injury sub situation, the entire concept needs to be fired into the surface of the sun imo

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Completely half baked idea: what if when you make a sub, your opponent also gets a sub? So if you get a fresh bowler, the opposition can either sub in another bowler themselves or if it's their second innings, get an extra batter.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Not sure tweaks around the edges will make much difference with this whole injury sub situation, the entire concept needs to be fired into the surface of the sun imo

Yeah it was pointed out by those in the know that bowlers are basically perma-injured, there's always a stress fracture or strain somewhere if they're honest about it.

 

[chris.hinton]

Guess I won't be watching Durham at Lancs then

Lancashire to put County Championship matches behind a paywall

Really stupid decision from Lancashire. People won't be interesting in paying

 

[Third_Man]

Really stupid decision from Lancashire. People won't be interesting in paying

The aspect that amazes me is that watching on Lancs TV rather than on youtube, the picture distorts everytime a player moves. That did not happen last year - so what's is going on, why has the service worsened and why pick this time to leave youtube?

 

[Hungry Llama]

Richardson and then White had to withdraw from Yorks match with food poisoning. I never did like black pudding.

 

[tony p]

Really stupid decision from Lancashire. People won't be interesting in paying

I flick through all the matches on youtube here in Australia, like to have a look at all counties.
Wouldn't want to pay anything to be honest.
I can see why they want to do it, their coverage is excellent (Lancashire), but other counties who basically just have the camera pointed to the square , ie Sussex, you wouldn't want to be paying for that.