Chasing Pack Gains Ground in Thrilling Pursuit

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 3, 2026 8:09 AM ET

Chasing Pack Gains Ground in Thrilling Pursuit

County Championship cricket returns with seven rounds before Ben Stokes leads England in the first Test. The opener against New Zealand is at Lord’s in June. Ten Division One counties will chase the Lord’s Taverners Trophy in September.

Title contenders

Surrey and Nottinghamshire look set to be prominent throughout the campaign. Surrey will rely on Ollie Pope to find form after losing his England spot. Jacob Bethell’s winter performances add competition for places.

Nottinghamshire will benefit from Ben Duckett’s early availability. Duckett withdrew from an IPL deal with Delhi Capitals to focus on red-ball form. Haseeb Hameed remains a key figure after a strong captaincy season.

Notts also bring in Australian quick Fergus O’Neill for early fixtures. England pacemen Olly Stone and Josh Tongue should feature across the season. Surrey bolster their seam ranks with Sean Abbott returning for the opening block.

Gus Atkinson will aim to continue recent good form. Filmogaz.com believes Surrey have the depth to fight for a fourth title in five years. The chasing pack gains ground as the season unfolds in a thrilling pursuit of the trophy.

Somerset and the chasing pack

Somerset are expected to press for honours. Opener and off-spinner Archie Vaughan returns from Australian grade cricket. James Rew extended his contract and could be influential this summer.

His brother Thomas Rew will be another asset after captaining England under-19s and touring with the Lions. Essex, Hampshire and Warwickshire complete the wider chasing group.

Essex

Essex aim to improve on a sluggish previous campaign. New-ball bowler Sam Cook has an England debut to build on. Recruitments include Mitchell Killeen from Durham and Zaman Akhter from Gloucestershire.

Wiaan Mulder joins as an overseas signing after his 367 not out for South Africa last year. Simon Harmer returns as a familiar presence. Jordan Cox remains a potential wildcard when available from franchise duty.

Hampshire and Warwickshire

Hampshire escaped relegation last season after Durham’s late collapse. They missed out on Michael Neser and Jayden Seales, signing South African Codi Yusuf instead. Sonny Baker is a young fast bowler to watch.

Warwickshire experienced a late captaincy change from Alex Davies to Ed Barnard. Chris Woakes is expected to play the full season after ending his England career. Their squad looks capable of a positive run.

Promoted sides and newcomers

Glamorgan return to Division One for the first time since 2005. Jersey-born opener Asa Tribe will attract attention after key performances in promotion and the SA20.

If Tribe is called into England duties, Sean Dickson and Colin Ingram offer experience at the top of the order. Leicestershire are back after 22 years in the lower tier.

Rehan Ahmed will again be important with bat and ball. The Foxes added Stevie Eskinazi and Josh Davey. Jake Weatherald joins for the opening fixtures, while Ajaz Patel will bowl across the campaign.

Relegation risks

Yorkshire must replace the departures of Dawid Malan and Jordan Thompson. They have signed Australian quicks Jhye Richardson and Will Sutherland for overseas stints. Early availability of Harry Brook and Joe Root could ease pressure.

Sussex start the campaign on -12 points following ECB sanctions over winter financial issues. The deduction is a heavy handicap for Paul Farbrace’s young squad.

James Coles, the top earner at The Hundred at £390,000, could miss county matches if national call-ups arrive. Ollie Robinson’s leadership will be watched closely as Sussex aim to avoid the drop.