Rothesay County Championship 2025 Round 3 Previews – Division 1 and 2 - All Fixtures – April 18-21

Here are all the match previews for Round 3 of the Rothesay County Championship 2025 – Division 1 and 2.

Division One

Durham vs Yorkshire

Durham were on the receiving end of a stinging defeat at hands of joint top of the table Warwickshire in round two of the Rothesay County Championship. The game was close with the bears winning it by one wicket with only 45 balls left in the day. Yet, defeat leaves Durham bottom of the table with two defeats from their opening two games in a season that was previously packed with promise. This week they welcome an in-form Yorkshire to Chester-le-Street, who arrive off the back of a massive 504 run win against struggling Worcestershire.

Yorkshire dispatched Worcestershire within three days and were set up well thanks to large first innings total of 456 scored at a quickened 4.50 runs per over. Dawid Malan came close to his maiden century of 2025 scoring 98 from 133 balls. Adam Lyth continued his strong early season form with another fifty, along with Jordan Thompson and George Hill as runs flowed throughout the order. The White Rose furthered their batting credentials with a stonking 314/4 declaration after 56 overs in their second innings, including a magnificently struck maiden County Championship century for nightwatchman Dom Bess who scored 107 from 117 deliveries while Malan secured 76 not out. If Yorkshire’s batting outfit continues to fire, then Durham bowlers could be in for some long days in the field.

Durham who will be content enough with their performance with the bat last week. The ever-reliable David Bedingham racked up scores of 58 and 45 across the match and young opener Ben McKinney will take great confidence from his first innings score of 153. Emilio Gay still waits to record his first major runs of this summer's County Championship after finding his third duck already. In fact, other new signing Will Rhodes has also found adjusting to life at Durham difficult, registering just 30 runs from his four innings this campaign. It was hoped that the new additions would bolster the batting outfit, but heavy scoring is beginning to become a bit of a concern.

In the match with Warwickshire, it was the bowling that amounted to frustrations for Durham having let the visitors reach above 300 twice in the match. The wickets that were taken were split pretty evenly with Ben Raine doing the best across the game taking six wickets. Though it should be noted that the seam bowling all-rounder had only taken one wicket in the match prior and still averages 39.57 in the Championship so far. England quick Matthew Potts is having a par season in 2025, taking 9 wickets in four innings at 28.88. Durham will hope he can produce more in the games that he is able to play for them amongst his England commitments. 80% of the wickets taken at Chester-le-Street in 2024 were by seam, so a home match could be the perfect opportunity to reignite his form.

Similarly, Ben Coad is yet to reach his anticipated potential this summer for Yorkshire having registered six wickets at 27.00 this season. The seamer was the White Rose’s highest wicket-taker last year and so will be expected to improve in upcoming fixtures. Instead, it is the young batting all-rounder that has been stealing the spotlight with the ball for Yorkshire. Hill snatched a five-wicket haul from last week’s match and boasts eight wickets at 12.87 with the ball from his two appearances. It will be fascinating to see if the youngster can continue to impress in the bowling department.

Though Yorkshire lost their opening match of the season, it was against a very strong Hampshire side that are tipped to be pushing for the title. Since then, they have recovered well, looking especially solid with the bat. On a reasonable pitch at Chester-le-Street, if Yorkshire’s batting outfit builds momentum, then it will be difficult for a faltering Durham bowling line up to penetrate, and Ryan Campbell’s men could be starting a third straight defeat in the Championship.

Durham also remain without figurehead Ben Stokes who continues his recovery from a hamstring injury as he prepares for internation duties. Stokes is joined on the medical bench by England colleague Mark Wood who was ruled out for four months with a knee injury in March.

Predicted lineups

Durham: Alex Lees (c), Ben McKinney, Emilio Gay, David Bedingham, Ollie Robinson (wk), Will Rhodes, Colin Ackermann, Ben Raine, Matthew Potts, Brendan Doggett, Daniel Hogg

Yorkshire: Adam Lyth, Finlay Bean, James Wharton, Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow (c & wk), George Hill, Will Luxton, Dom Bess, Ben Coad, Jordan Thompson, Jack White

Essex vs Worcestershire

Essex host Worcestershire in their third-round encounter in the Rothesay County Championship following two high scoring draws in their previous matches. Worcestershire on the other hand narrowly avoided defeat in their opener against somerset, clinging on in a desperate last wicket stand, before getting thumped by Yorkshire inside three days last week. An exceptional performance from Worcestershire will be needed to avoid them succumbing to two defeats in a row.

Dean Elgar has been a notable absentee from Essex’s matches this summer and it is unknown when the South African is due to return. As top run scorer last season, others have been required to fill in and Paul Walter and Jordan Cox in particular have stepped up to the mark. Jordan Cox has been pushing for England selection in recent seasons having been denied due to injuries, but his 2025 form means he’ll be in contention again. The young batsman and wicket keeper has already registered 199 runs including one century and a fifty in just two innings batted this campaign. His runs have come at a strike rate of 70.81 as he forms part of an intimidating, aggressive Essex middle-order. Batting has been a strength for Chris Silverwood’s men this summer and more runs will be expected this week at home.

Conversely, Worcestershire have under impressed with their scoring this year, only reaching beyond 200 in one innings so far. The entirety of their batting order has found runs hard to come by. Captain Brett D’Oliveira leads the way with one century and an average of 34.50 but with Kashif Ali, Jake Libby and Gareth Roderick all averaging 32 or below, performances need to improve, or relegation will start to beckon. Last time out against Yorkshire Alan Richardson's men were all out for 105 and 162 with only Libby recording a half century in the game.

Worcestershire batters could face further torment against a powerful bowling attack on paper for Essex. Wickets have been spread across the bowlers with Sam Cook, Shane Snater and Simon Harmer all having claimed seven so far this season, with potential to do even better. In addition, top wicket-taker from 2024’s Championship Jamie Porter, has had a slow start to this campaign by his high standards taking six wickets at 30.00. Should Porter begin closing in on his average of 19.25 from last summer, then Essex’s bowling outfit will cause serious damage in the division.

Meanwhile, Worcestershire are yet to bowl out a team in both innings this year and are searching for a solution to their bowling troubles. New signing Ben Allison will face his former side in this fixture and has been the best of the bowlers for Worcestershire so far, taking five wickets at 35.00. The seaming all-rounder was drafted in along with Logan van Beek and Jacob Duffy to fill the void left with by the retiring Joe Leach and Nathan Smith, who had both been prolific with the ball for the club. Duffy took 3/114 in his debut against Yorkshire and will be eager to prove his worth if he starts this week.

Essex have made a reasonable start to 2025 including securing a valuable draw against title favourites Surrey. Runs have flowed and their bowling attack, though not as potent as it could be, has good variation in options. With Worcestershire appearing weak again this summer, Essex players will be targeting their first win of the season.

Predicted lineups

Essex: Paul Walter, Charlie Allison, Tom Westley (c), Jordan Cox, Matt Critchley, Michael Pepper (wk), Noah Thain, Simon Harmer, Shane Snater, Sam Cook, Jamie Porter

Worcestershire: Gareth Roderick (wk), Jake Libby, Kashif Ali, Ethan Brookes, Adam Hose, Brett D’Oliveira (c), Matthew Waite, Tom Taylor, Ben Allison, Adam Finch, Jacob Duffy

Hampshire vs Somerset

A battle of the title challengers is set to arrive at the Rose Bowl this Friday as Hampshire and Somerset clash in the third round of County Championship matches. The home side enter the game in good form, having drawn with three-peat title winners Surrey last week and comfortably beating Yorkshire in their season opener.

Meanwhile, Somerset have had a surprisingly poor beginning to the season. First, Jason Kerr’s team failed to overcome a weak Worcestershire, despite registering a total of 670, and then they fell prey to Sussex, giving the newly promoted side their first topflight win in 10 years.

A significant portion of Somerset’s woes appear to be a lack of potency in their bowling attack, as they are yet to take 20 wickets in a County Championship game this season. This may in part me due to the lack of hotly tipped overseas signing Matt Henry, who is still rehabilitating in New Zealand because of a pre-season knock.

As of last week, it is still unknown when the Kiwi star bowler will be available for selection with Somerset County Cricket Club Director of cricket, Andy Hurry, telling the Somerset County Gazette: “Obviously, this is frustrating news for Matt as well as our Somerset Members and supporters who we know were looking forward to seeing Matt in the Club colours again in April. We are all working towards seeing Matt at the Cooper Associates County Ground in 2025, and as soon as we have any further updates, we will let our Members and supporters know.”

Oddly, against Sussex, experienced seamer Craig Overton was rested in preparation for this week’s match against Hampshire. Overton had taken a five-wicket haul from the season opener and is likely to be reinstated into the starting eleven this week, following Sussex’s 501 declaration against a wearying Somerset bowling outfit at Hove. Out of the seamers that played in the defeat on the south coast, Lewis Gregory looked the most competent taking 4/90 in the first innings.

At least the spin department remains a threat for Somerset. The club’s leading wicket taker in 2024, Jack Leach, appears to be finding turn and wickets in abundance this campaign and will be a valuable asset against Hampshire.

Similarly, veteran off break bowling all-rounder Liam Dawson has started brightly once again this year for Hampshire. Dawson has taken six wickets at 24.66 from his overs so far and is set to rival his tally of 54 dismissals from the 2024 County championship.

However, Hampshire have also seen success from their seamers with youngster Sonny Baker becoming a revelation in the division. The 22-year-old is the sixth highest wicket-taker this summer, claiming nine wickets at 22.66. Alongside effective established seamers, Brad Wheal (9 wickets at 27.11) and Kyle Abott (9 wickets at 18.00), a balanced attack looks set to keep producing.

Those bowlers do face a tough prospect against an effective batting outfit at Somerset, who if they can achieve consistency, could be a real problem for Hampshire. Tom Banton’s record breaking 371 leaves him top of the run scoring leaderboard this season, but his other innings have yielded only six runs between them, offering a misleading interpretation of his output. Wicket keeper James Rew is in the hottest form for Somerset, averaging 126 and hitting a century and a fifty in his three innings, including 80 not out at Hove.

It is the top order that needs work to develop Somerset into the title contending force they were tipped to be. The opening three batters Archie Vaughan, Sean Dickinson and Tom Lammonby are yet to source a fifty between them in this year’s County Championship and this will be deeply concerning to head coach Jason Kerr.

Hampshire have suffered a similarly poor opening order return with new arrivals Mark Stoneman and Tom Prest failing to plug in the hole left from a retiring James Vince, with only the later registering a solitary fifty since joining. Nick Gubbins has appeared resolute this summer, accumulating one century in his 174 runs from his opening two matches. Having reached that ton against Surrey, Gubbins will hope to score more runs at home this week.

Hants performed well against Surrey last time out and were the closer team to winning a tightly fought draw. The potential season opening slip up to Yorkshire was also avoided, giving Hampshire a commanding victory as they begin to live up to their aspirations of winning a first County Championship since 1973. There’s still a long way to go but with a balanced bowling unit and batting potential there, Hampshire have a great chance of overwhelming a disappointing Somerset side. Although the Rose Bowl has been known to encourage spin bowling which could work to the visitor's advantage, especially if the game stretches to the full four days.

Predicted lineups

Hampshire: Mark Stoneman, Fletcha Middleton, Nick Gubbins, Tony Albert, Tom Prest, Liam Dawson, Ben Brown (c & wk), Brett Hampton, Kyle Abbott, Brad Wheal, Sonny Baker

Somerset: Archie Vaughan, Sean Dickinson, Tom Lammonby, Tom Abell, Tom Banton, James Rew (wk), Lewis Gregory (c), Craig Overton, Kasey Aldridge, Josh Davey, Jack Leach

Sussex vs Surrey

Sussex will be in a jubilant mood after they achieved their first win in Division One in 10 years against Somerset last week to sit joint top of the table. Paul Farbrace’s goal of top four will be looking even more likely if they can carve out a result versus a Surrey side showing signs of vulnerability.

The reigning title holders have not shown their supposed dominance this season having been held to two draws so far against Essex and Hampshire. One contributing theme to these results have been the London club’s batting frailties. In their most recent match, a ton from England international Dom Sibley saved Surrey who were still out for 253 in their first innings against Hampshire. Sibley led the scoring again in their second reaching another century in Surrey’s declaration at 342.

Fellow opener Rory Burns has waned in comparison, averaging 31.00 and only having one half century to his name after four innings. England teammate Ollie Pope has also found the going more difficult with a similar record of one fifty to his name so far this season and only averaging 31.25. If a four-peat is going to be completed this year, a powerful batting line up on paper needs to start producing results in practise.

They should have been taking notes from the dominant displays of batting that Sussex have demonstrated this summer. Skipper John Simpson is the second highest run scorer in the division, having already registered two unbeaten centuries, as well as a fifty in his four innings this campaign.

The Sussex captain has been supported well by batting all-rounder Tom Clark who is averaging 65.00, along with young opener Tom Haines, who struck his maiden century of the season in a composed knock of 141 against Somerset. Farbrace’s side have been resolute with the bat, scoring heavily throughout the order and Surrey’s attack will have their work cut out with them at Hove.

The man who will be spearheading the task of removing Sussex batters is Daniel Worrall who took five wickets against Hampshire in his return to the starting lineup. The Australian born seamer had been rested for the season opener, as rumours swirled about his supposed switch of international allegiance to represent England against Zimbabwe in May. If true, Worrall may be rested again this week against newly promoted Sussex, but Surrey should be cautious against a team who has already upset the odds to beat a strong Somerset side.

Worrall’s inclusion on Friday is made more likely by the underperformance of Surrey’s other seamers. Kemar Roach was brought in for the first month of the Championship but has fallen short of his previous standards at the club, returning four wickets at 53.25 in his opening matches of this year. Matthew Fisher and Dan Lawrence have been equally ineffective averaging 52.00 and 48.40 for their wickets respectively.

Sussex could face a selection quandary of their own in the future after Sean Hunt replaced an injured Ollie Robinson and produced a magnificent haul of 9/76 in their most recent match. However, Hunt was absent from the final day siege of Somerset due to an arm injury and so Robinson is likely to return on Friday.

Opening bowling partner Jayden Seales has had a slow start to the County Championship, only taking seven wickets at 43.28 so far this term. The West Indian quick had an exceptional average of 24.25 in 2024 and more will be expected from their overseas signing going forward.

In addition, Paul Farbrace will be hopeful that his spinners will have more affect this time out on a Hove track that is usually accommodating to turn over a four-day game. Jack Carson was the club’s top wicket-taker in their promotion season but has struggled this campaign and took no wickets in their last match. Left arm off break all-rounder James Coles offered a viable spinning option last summer, taking 18 wickets at 35.66, but is yet to get amongst the wickets in Division One.

It should be an intriguing matchup. Should Sussex claim a result, then they will have gone a long way to proving they deserve to be in the top tier of domestic cricket having gone unbeaten in their first three games. The southern side are flying high at the minute and momentum is with them. In front of a buoyant home crowd, if the dominant batting continues, then another upset could be on the cards. A first defeat of the season for Surrey would start to worry last year’s champions who are struggling to find their feet in the 2025 County Championship. Could a new winner for the first time in four years be about to emerge?

Predicted lineups

Sussex: Daniel Hughes, Tom Haines, Tom Clark, Tom Alsop, James Coles, John Simpson (c & wk), Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Danny Lamb, Jack Carson, Ollie Robinson, Jayden Seales

Surrey: Rory Burns (c), Dom Sibley, Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith, Ben Foakes (wk), Dan Lawrence, Ryan Patel, Jordan Clark, Matthew Fisher, Kemar Roach, Daniel Worrall

Warwickshire vs Nottinghamshire

A joint top of the table clash awaits in this fixture as Nottinghamshire travel to Warwickshire to compete to remain at the summit of Division One. Nottinghamshire have defied the odds following last season’s poor finish just above the relegation zone and look a new team in 2025. Notts demolished Durham in an eight-wicket victory in round one of the County Championship, before a resilient batting display brought a high scoring draw with supposed title contenders Essex last week.

Warwickshire too have been rebuilding from successive below par finishes in the league standings and are looking an improved outfit this season. After drawing with Sussex on a flat Edgbaston track, Warwickshire produced a drama filled last wicket win over Durham last time out to reach their first victory this campaign.

The secret to both side’s success has been dominant middle-order batting. Nottinghamshire has seen immense output from their fifth, sixth and seventh batters with each of Jack Haynes, Kyle Verreynne and Lyndon James all having scored a ton once this season. Most recently, against Essex, Verreynne scored a commanding 128* and Haynes exhibited a composed 142 from 214 to secure a high scoring draw against the supposed title challengers.

Ed Barnard, in the Warwickshire middle-order, has also already struck a century and a fifty in his three innings this summer, placing him as the club’s second top run-scorer. Young wicket keeper and number seven bat Kai Smith has also produced in his first season of County Championship cricket, producing two half centuries and averaging 56.00. The 20-year-old is showing great promise and could become a regular at Edgbaston in years to come. Additionally, talented bowling all-rounder Michael Booth contributed 58* and 40 in their dramatic last wicket win over Durham, proving his credentials with the bat.

Other gifted youngsters are emerging from the Warwickshire ranks and making an impression in Ian Westwood's rejuvenated team. One of which being teenage spinner Tazeem Ali, who took 3/103 in his maiden County Championship appearance against newly promoted Sussex earlier this summer. The leg break bowler continued his excellent start to life in the top tier, taking a four-fer against Durham in their first innings last week and looks to be making a strong case for becoming Westwood’s first choice spinner.

Warwickshire will be a little more concerned about their seam options. Top wicket-taker from last year, Oliver Hannon-Dalby is still nursing an injury and will likely miss the remaining games this month. In his place, new signing Ethan Bamber has produced good spells but lacked consistency, averaging 37.25 for his eight wickets.

Other hopes were pinned on Sri Lankan international Vishwa Fernando, who represented a big overseas addition to the squad. Disappointingly, Fernando has fallen short of expectations in the Championship so far, only achieving two wickets at 105.00 and lacking any real threat. Instead, it is all-rounder Booth who has performed the best so far, averaging 31.75 for his eight wickets but reinforcements in the pace department cannot arrive soon enough for Warwickshire.

Conversely, Nottinghamshire possess the most prolific paceman in the division in Australian quick Fergus O’Neil. The 24-year-old has ripped apart opponents at times this summer, taking 11 wickets at 19.27 and other Championship sides will be relieved that he is only staying in England for the rest of the month.

Notts will need a back-up plan for when O’Neil has to depart but Josh Tongue may already be offering a solution. The English seamer took a five-fer on debut in the opening game of the season which will be a tremendous boost to his confidence, as well as in Notts selectors. Tongue had missed the entirety of the 2024 campaign through injury following his 2023 move from Worcestershire and will be keen to further his argument for an England cap through his performances in the Championship.

This tie is likely to be tightly contested between two sides that are in periods of transition. Both seem to be in better shape and have addressed problems that haunted them in previous editions of the Championship. Nottinghamshire's previous blunted attack seems to have more bite this time around through clever squad additions and Warwickshire’s resurgent youth has added impetus to a club prone to drifting. This match could signal the genuine intentions for either side to rival the upper portions of the table and other sides will be watching closely.

Predicted lineups

Warwickshire: Alex Davies (c), Rob Yates, Hamza Shaikh, Sam Hain, Dan Mousley, Ed Barnard, Kai Smith (wk), Ethan Bamber, Michael Booth, Tazeem Ali, Vishwa Fernando

Nottinghamshire: Haseeb Hameed (c), Ben Slater, Freddie McCann, Joe Clarke, Jack Haynes, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Lyndon James, Brett Hutton, Fergus O’Neil, Farhan Ahmed, Dillon Pennington

Division Two

Derbyshire vs Northamptonshire

Derbyshire play host to Northamptonshire in round three of the Rothesay County Championship as Mickey Arthur’s team aim to claim a second win this season. Northamptonshire will be tricky opponents, having faced the two favourites for promotion already this season and coming away with 18 points. The side led by captain Luke Procter will be eager to push for a win against a club more familiar with the Division Two surroundings.

Derbyshire appear drastically improved from last summer which saw them claim a solitary victory from their 14 matches. Arthur’s men have already matched that tally this year after batting aside Gloucestershire in their first match of 2025. This appears to be due to the greatly fortified batting foundation in the team. Each of their three completed innings have seen Derbyshire surpass 300 runs with ease, helped by the recruitment of Caleb Jewell in the opening position.

The Tasmanian is a specialist opener with a wealth of experience and pre-season hopes were that he could offer increased resistance at the top of the order to let the middle order flourish. So far that plan has been executed to perfection, with the left-handed batter hitting at least fifty in each of his four innings so far since joining.

Captain Wayne Madsen was the club’s top scorer last campaign registering over a thousand runs and has continued his efforts this summer. The experienced skipper has already struck a century and a fifty in three innings at an average of 78.66 in his efforts to lead from the front once again.

Those batters will be hard pushed for their runs in their upcoming encounter, as Northamptonshire have been excelling with the ball in the opening rounds of the County Championship. Calvin Harrison burst onto the scene in Northants's most recent match, taking 7/199 in the second innings against Lancashire and 11 wickets in the game. Harrison’s average of 13.90 runs per wicket will leave him contention for re-selection this week.

Excellent support has been offered by young seamer Raphy Weatherall who has provided eight wickets at 23.12, along with a spin delivered by Said Zaib, the batting all-rounder. Zaib has performed beyond expectations so far this campaign, gathering six wickets in just 32 overs at 7.66 with his slow left arm orthodox bowling. Further contributions will be needed as Northamptonshire await the return of Ben Sanderson from injury. The talented seamer was top wicket-taker for his side in 2024 and bowled 14 overs for the second XI this week. Though unlikely to feature against Derbyshire, he could be available for selection within a few weeks to bolster the pace attack.

Zaib has also demonstrated his ability with the bat and leads the club in terms of runs this campaign, already having powered his way to 116 from 170 against Lancashire. The rest of the Northamptonshire batting unit is relatively unproven this year considering their opening team returns of 143 and 114 in their crushing defeat at hands of promotion candidates Kent. Yet Lewis McManus, James Sales and Luke Procter have all secured half centuries this season and are starting to demonstrate the form expected from them with more still to come.

Those batters will be facing off against the division’s top bowler in Derbyshire's Luis Reece who has performed wonders with the ball to reach 13 wickets at 19.07 in his two appearances this summer. It is yet to be seen if the all-rounder can sustain his impact but will likely be a threat in this fixture.

He will be joined in the Derbyshire attack by Black Caps quick bowler Blair Tickner who returns this year after his stint in 2024 was cut short following his wife’s cancer diagnosis. The Kiwi came away with a five wicket-haul in his comeback match against Leicestershire and will be eager to press on and impose himself on Division Two.

The spin threat will be provided by young off break bowler Jack Morley who is averaging 35.40 with the ball but provides balance to an attack that has enough to cause problems for the teams around them.

Arthur’s side seem to have improved greatly from last season and having already matched their tally for wins, will be desperate to go one further and claim a second victory against Northants on their home pitch. New head coach Darren Lehmann faced a tough start to 2025 facing the two relegated clubs in the season’s opening rounds. However, coming out of those fixtures with at least a draw reflects well, especially when they had Lancashire under pressure for spells. This match could judge if these sides are capable of pushing for promotion contention, or if they will fall into the mid-table quagmire.

Predicted lineups

Derbyshire: David Lloyd, Caleb Jewell, Harry Came, Wayne Madsen (c), Brooke Guest (wk), Luise Reece, Anuj Dal, Martin Andersson, Zak Chappell, Jack Morley, Blair Tickner

Northamptonshire: Ricardo Vasconcelos, Luke Procter (c), George Bartlett, James Sales, Rob Keogh, Saif Zaib, Lewis McManus (wk), Calvin Harrison, Justin Broad, Liam Guthrie, Raphy Weatherall

Kent vs Gloucestershire

Kent are at home in the third round of the Rothesay County Championship as they go in search of their third successive win against visitors Gloucestershire. Adam Hollioake’s men will be keen to assert dominance over a struggling Gloucestershire to put them firmly in contention for a rebound promotion to the domestic top tier in 2025. Gloucestershire go into the match third from bottom having drawn with fellow stragglers Glamorgan last week and remain in search of a maiden victory this season.

Unusually Kent are second in the table despite having won the most games in the Division due to them collecting zero batting points. Hollioake’s side have seemed unsure with the bat at times recording first innings totals for 218 and 231 in their two games this season. This is a recurring issue from 2024 which saw a low return from many of Kent’s batters. Captain Daniel Bell-Drummond top scored last summer with an average of just 35.54 and more runs will need to be sourced this year if they are bounce back to Division One.

In two relatively low scoring games this year, hot youth prospect Tim Muyeye has supplied substantial runs for the club, smashing his way to an unbeaten 125 from 127 deliveries at Lords. Muyeye has announced his intentions of representing England and more eye-catching performances like last week would fuel the argument for his inclusion.

Ben Compton joined in the run scoring at the home of cricket, adding 124 not out in the same innings as Muyeye’s ton. The more experienced batter received a late breakthrough at Kent at the age of 28 and is averaging 68.00 so far this year, providing much needed runs for The Spitfires.

There is untapped batting firepower remaining in the ranks at Kent with England opener Zak Crawley leaving much to be desired in Division Two this summer. Crawley is averaging just 22.50 from four innings and will need to improve to confirm selection for England with a big year of international cricket ahead.

Though it is in the bowling attack that Kent are very well supplied this year. Grant Stewart is currently leading the club in wickets taken, having claimed 10 wickets at 13.30. Young talents Jaskaran Singh and Nathan Gilchrist have also both contributed well, with their seaming deliveries taking seven and eight wickets respectively.

Kent fans were excited to see what South African quick Keith Dudgeon could achieve this summer after reaching career best figures in an innings of 7/36 in their season opener. However, injury in the build-up to last week’s trip to Lords has ruled the seamer out for the rest of the season, a significant blow to the bowling unit.

On the bright side, it appears Matt Parkinson is due back to fitness shortly after accumulating some minutes for the second XI in recent weeks. The leg spinner was the club’s leading wicket-taker last summer, and they could use his services again now in the absence of Dudgeon. It may be Kashif Ali that makes way due to his relatively poor return of three wickets at 38.66 in his one appearance this year. The benefits of having a genuine frontline spinner in the form of Parkinson could be a real boost in breaking sides down.

Gloucestershire also had a significant player reinstated to their lineup last week, with captain Cameron Bancroft starting his five-match run of availability in the first block of the county Championship. The Australian returned in style, producing a magnificent 163 from 267 in his first game of the year and will be aiming to build on those runs.

The skipper was supported by a century from Ollie Price and a fifty from Miles Hammond as Gloucestershire amassed a colossal score of 546 in their only innings against Glamorgan. Ben Charlesworth made their only ton in their season opener, so runs are present in the squad, but the ease in which Derbyshire brushed Gloucestershire aside in round one will be concerning for Mark Alleyne.

More runs are required from James Bracey in particular, who is averaging 27.00 and is still waiting for his first fifty plus score this summer. Bracey led the way in terms of run scoring in the 2024 Championship for the club, racking up 1,089 runs across the season and his output could be crucial in Gloucestershire’s hopes of improving on their seventh place finish this year.

Gloucestershire's raw pace was predicted to intimidate teams in Division Two with prospects Zaman Akhter and Ajeet Singh Dale both able to achieve real zip and bounce. However, neither quick bowler has been able to profit considerably. Akhter has taken five wickets at 32.60 and Dale has reached just four dismissals at 55.25.

Bowling was a weakness of Alleyne’s team in the last edition of the competition, which saw The Shire take the fewest amount of bowling points in the division. Now looking a little light in that department again, the issue could be resurfacing, potentially damaging any hopes of flirting with promotion this year.

It is difficult to see beyond a third win in a row for Kent in the third-round match, with Hollioake’s men winning comfortably against Middlesex and Northamptonshire who finished fourth and fifth in Division Two last year. Kent are securing reasonable runs with more to come from established quality players such as Zak Crawley and are taking wickets with ease. Meanwhile, Gloucestershire are floundering a little as their young pace unit struggle to find their way and may find themselves bottom of the table after the third round. Bancroft’s boost for the first block of matches will be pivotal to the club’s success in 2025.

Predicted Lineups

Kent: Ben Compton, Zak Crawley, Daniel Bell-Drummond (c), Tawanda Muyeye, Jack Leaning, Joey Evison, Harry Finch (wk), Grant Stewart, Jas Singh, Nathan Gilchrist, Matt Parkinson

Gloucestershire: Cameron Bancroft (c), Ben Charlesworth, Ollie Price, Miles Hammond, James Bracey (wk), Chris Dent, Graeme van Buuren, Tom Price, Zaman Akhter, Matt Taylor, Ajeet Singh Dale

Lancashire vs Leicestershire

Lancashire have attained back-to-back draws in their start to life in Division Two this season and now face a confident Leicestershire squad at Old Trafford. The visiting side dispatched a disappointing Glamorgan in their first-round match, before drawing with Derbyshire last weekend and will be targeting a second win to maintain their lead at top of Division Two.

A common theme present in both team’s result this summer is a lack of wicket taking. Middlesex and Northamptonshire both scored over 400 runs against an ineffective Lancashire attack and if this trend continues then wins will be hard to come by. Tom Bailey has performed best in the squad in 2025 taking six wickets, with last year’s top wicket threat, George Balderson, one behind on five so far this summer. Though it should be noted that both averages are high for these bowlers, sitting at 36.16 and 37.40 runs per wicket respectively.

21-year-old Tom Aspinwall was a bright spark and good value for is 4/32 in nine overs in the opening game of 2025 but was not selected for last week’s visit to Northamptonshire. it will be interesting to see if he will be reinstated to the lineup in round three.

Similarly, Alfonso Thomas’ Leicestershire have appeared blunted in attack this campaign. This is not a new problem for Thomas, as his side only managed to take all 20 wickets once last summer in the Championship in their lone victory against Middlesex. Leicestershire got off to a better start in this year’s competition, dismissing Glamorgan twice in their first match to claim an early win. New American signing Ian Holland has helped in this regard, claiming the fourth most wickets in the division (9) at an average of just 17.44.

The bowling outfit has included reasonably effective performances from right arm fast-medium bowler Benjamin Mike who has supplied a further nine wickets but at a slightly more costly 27.88 runs per wicket. Though spin has suffered this year with exciting leg spinner Rehan Ahmed striking only once in his two matches. The young leggie may be searching for rhythm, as he is yet to bowl more than 20 overs in a match. Lancashire will offer a good test of how well this bowling unit can penetrate when up against another stubborn batting opponent.

Runs have not been a concern for Lancashire in the 2025 County Championship with every innings being above 250. The Red Rose have the second top scorer in the division in Marcus Harris who has already accumulated 283 runs including a century at Lords.

Lancashire’s leading scorer from 2024, Keaton Jennings, has also flown out of the blocks this season, averaging 62.25 and opening the batting. The ex-England international is yet to reach a ton but is providing effective resistance against the new ball and a steady foothold at the start of innings. Possessing strength in depth, Lancs fans will be hopeful their team can continue to score heavily at Old Trafford this week.

Deep batting is in the skillset of Leicestershire’s squad as well with even tailenders securing valuable runs. Sol Budinger, Peter Handscomb, Ben Cox, Logan van Beek, Ian Holland and Rehan Ahmed have all enjoyed success with the bat, contributing half centuries this season. In fact, Ahmed has even been trialled as an opener due to Rishi Patel sustaining a dislocated thumb, an un-planned tactic that could be utilised at Old Trafford. Lewis Hill has come closest to converting one of these innings to a century, reaching 96, before being run out by Glamorgan captain Sam Northeast.

With both teams scoring heavily and displaying great concentration with the bat, a stalemate beckons at Old Trafford. Lancashire are not hitting the lofty heights required of a promotion winning season so far and will be desperate of sourcing a means of wicket taking. Leicestershire have made a composed start to the season and will sense the uncertainty creeping in amongst the ranks of The Red Rose. Captain Handscomb was steadfast with the bat in 2024 recording an average of 74.50 as he amassed three centuries and six fifties in 14 innings. Keeping the Australian fit and available for as many games as possible will be paramount to the side’s success in this match and the 2025 edition of the County Championship on the whole.

Predicted lineups

Lancashire: Keaton Jennings (c), Michael Jones, Josh Bannon, Marcus Harris, Matty Hurst (wk), Luke Wells, George Balderson, Tom Hartley, Anderson Phillip, Tom Bailey, Tom Aspinwall

Leicestershire: Rehan Ahmed, Sol Budinger, Ian Holland, Lewis Hill, Peter Handscomb (c), Louis Kimber, Logan van Beek, Ben Cox (wk), Ben green, Ben Mike, Tom Scriven

Middlesex vs Glamorgan

The famous Lord’s cricket ground will be the venue for an early bottom of the table scrap between Middlesex and Glamorgan. The home team will have their sights set on promotion after missing out narrowly last year, but a slow start to this season including an eight-wicket defeat by rivals Kent have discouraged Richard Johnson’s side. Glamorgan have suffered a similar fate in the early portion of the season, losing to Leicestershire by 10 wickets and then securing a share of the points with Gloucestershire.

Despite only having one batting point this season, Middlesex’s squad can take positives with the bat from their opening displays. Max Holden is the top scorer in the division thanks to a commanding season debut which featured knocks of 69 and 184 against Lancashire and looks comfortable in the number three spot. Problems do persist in a rotating opening pair in London.

Mark Stoneman departed in the off season to fresh pastures in Hampshire, leaving a left-handed hole at the top of the order. Middlesex have decided to recruit from within and try academy graduate Nathan Fernandes in the position to maintain a left-hand\right-hand partnership to open the batting. The results have been disheartening thus far with the 20-year-old yet to make it past four runs in his innings this summer. It may take time to develop the bowling all-rounder into the mould of an opening bat but with pressure starting to mount it will be monitored to see how long selectors wait.

New signing Ben Geddes from Surrey has eased some of that run scoring burden, averaging 43.00 and claiming two well-structured fifties in his two matches this season and a ton looks to be around the corner.

Another piece of off-season business that looks good value is the signing of slow left arm orthodox bowler, Zafar Gohar from Gloucestershire. The Pakistan international has made an instant impact at his new club, taking nine wickets at 27.33, no mean feat on early season English pitches that frequently favour seamers.

A little surprisingly, Blake Cullen has been the most potent seamer for Middlesex and already has eight wickets to his name. Ex-England seamer Toby Roland-Jones is highly regarded at the club for his years of service and regular wicket taking but has experienced a slower start to the campaign averaging 55.75 for his four wickets. If Roland-Jones can reach his peak levels for another year, then Middlesex will be in possession of a prolific bowling line up and promotion could become a possibility.

Glamorgan have been less enamoured with their recruitment. Overseas quick Asitha Fernando has found it tough in the Championship this year and Timm van der Gugten is also struggling to make an impression. Between them, the pair have taken only seven wickets and are leaking runs to make matters worse.

England spinner Shoaib Bashir is also misfiring, averaging 109.50 for his two wickets this summer. Alternative spin option Mason Crane is still sidelined with injury but will be putting pressure on Bashir for selection if his performances fail to improve.

One seamer that has lived up to or exceeded expectations is Andy Gorvin who looked sharp when he took 4/22 in the 22 overs he was given in the first game of the season. Gorvin was dropped for the game against Gloucestershire but as the Welsh sides’ leading wicket taker, it could be that Glamorgan give the 27-year-old another chance this week.

Glamorgan’s batting has a familiar feel to it this year. Colin Ingram amassed a huge 1,351 runs in 2024 and after a slow start this summer, looks set to perform again. Knocks of 103 and 77* against Gloucestershire are ominous for teams in the division who have to find a way past the 39-year-old South African veteran.

Kiran Carlson has also already struck a ton in the opening match of the season and was unlucky to lose his wicket on 49 last week. Keeper Chris Cooke consolidates the middle order batting unit further, contributing two fifties to their tally.

The big let-down is that captain Sam Northeast is yet to recover his usually reliable form. The English batter is averaging 19.25 and only has one fifty to show for his efforts in the 2025 County Championship.

Middlesex may sit bottom of the division for now but will almost certainly not stay there. A squad packed with talent is due to start exhibiting their class soon and Glamorgan are a prime opportunity for the London club to pick up their first win. The Welsh side have only taken 20 wickets in total across their two matches this campaign and Middlesex are likely to profit from that, even if a newly formed opening pair continues to faulter. Additionally, with Northeast not supplying his usual quantities of runs, Glamorgan could be exposed against a lethal Middlesex bowling outfit. The period of transition under interim head coach Richard Dawson looks set to be an uncomfortable won for the time being.

Predicted lineups

Middlesex: Stephen Eskinazi, Nathan Fernandes, Max Holden, Leus du Plooy, Ryan Higgins, Ben Geddes, Jack Davies (wk), Zafar Gohar, Toby Roland-Jones (c), Blake Cullen, Henry Brookes

Glamorgan: Zain ul Hassan, Eddie Byrom, Sam Northeast (c), Kiran Carlson, Colin Ingram, Ben Kellaway, Chris Cooke (wk), Timm van der Gugten, Andy Gorvin, Shoaib Bashir, Asitha Fernando

© Cricket World 2025