Rothesay County Championship Division One: Preview
With the Rothesay County Championship set to get underway in just a few days time, here is a look at the teams we will be fighting against for the coveted Division One title.
ESSEX
Captain: Tom Westley
Director of cricket: Chris Silverwood
2025 finish: 6th
2025 highest run-scorer: Paul Walter (914)
2025 highest wicket-taker: Jamie Porter (49)
Key winter moves: Essex had already bagged the pacy Zaman Akhter from Gloucestershire and Durham rookie Mitchell Killeen before the end of last season to make rotation of their seam attack smoother. They have also added Wiaan Mulder for the first two months of the season to cover Jordan Cox’s absence at the IPL. The prolific South African accumulator will also provide a useful bowling option.
What can we expect?: With some of the more senior players reaching the twilight of their careers, who will step up in their places? Charlie Allison enjoyed a breakthrough season with the bat in 2025 and has surely cemented his spot long-term. Another home-grown talent Charlie Bennett emerged late on in the campaign to suggest he could bolster a bowling unit often overstretched last year.
Aiming to catch selectors’ eyes: With positions in England’s upper order looking up for grabs after the Ashes, a call-up for Jordan Cox may not be long coming. The combative right-hander, a man for all formats, fits the attacking England model but is capable of switching to more orthodox, conservative mode if circumstances demand.
Final thought: We’re looking forward to seeing far greater equality between bat and ball. Last season, Essex batters accumulated a remarkable combined total of 20 red-ball centuries. Not bad for a side who struggled alarmingly on admittedly unresponsive pitches. But at the same time the bowlers claimed all 20 wickets in a match on just five occasions. Altogether, it made for a glut of forgettable draws.
GLAMORGAN
Captain: Kiran Carlson
Head coach: Richard Dawson
2025 finish: 2nd (in Division Two, promoted)
2025 highest run-scorer: Colin Ingram (1,076)
2025 highest wicket-taker: Timm van der Gugten (34)
Key winter moves: It has been a quiet winter despite promotion. Sean Dickson joins from Somerset, albeit at the expense of captain Sam Northeast returning to Kent. Academy success in 2025 has seen rookie contracts given to two while James Harris’ retirement and the fact that Asitha Fernando is not returning leaves bowler-shaped holes. Colin Ingram is the only season-long overseas although Australian quicks Ryan Hadley and Nathan McAndrew will be there, for the first six, and for two matches in June respectively.
What can we expect?: Glamorgan are back in Division One for the first time since 2005, which is exciting on the surface. Then though, they had an England international as captain and another play a vital part in the Ashes win that summer; and yet they still recorded 14 losses from 16 games. Glamorgan will be hoping their top seven can offer stability, young though several may be, and be at the forefront of avoiding defeats if not picking up wins.
Aiming to catch Test selectors’ eye: Asa Tribe has overtaken Ben Kellaway as the most talked about Glamorgan youngster, but both have exceptional talent. The former had hundreds for Jersey at 19 and racked up 731 runs at 45.68 last season. Looking a traditional opening batter, he made a century on the England Lions’ tour to Australia and now has franchise recognition.
Final thought: Glamorgan have plenty to do to last more than one season in the top-flight this time round. More notable than on-field business, the club has kept the successful coaching combination of Richard Dawson and Ian Harvey, who also had success with Gloucestershire in 2015. To win first-class matches you need 20 wickets; with a shortage of seamers, leg-spinner Mason Crane should get more opportunities after claiming 23 scalps in just five red-ball games last year.
HAMPSHIRE
Captain: Ben Brown
Head coach: Russell Domingo
2025 finish: 8th
2025 highest run-scorer: Ben Brown (758)
2025 highest wicket-taker: Kyle Abbott (56)
Key winter moves: The biggest shake-up at Utilita Bowl has come off the field with Adi Birrell leaving after seven years, to be replaced as head coach by his protégé, Russell Domingo. Bowling coach Shane Burger has arrived from Somerset to take over from Graeme Welch. On the pitch, Keith Barker is the only major departure, with highly experienced batter Australian Jake Lehmann arriving as a domestic player after helping South Australia win their second successive Sheffield Shield title.
What can we expect?: Players stepping up. The likes of Fletcha Middleton, Toby Albert, Ali Orr, and Scott Currie have been given opportunities and now they need to come of age and support the experienced core of Ben Brown, Liam Dawson, Kyle Abbott and Nick Gubbins. The recruitment of Jake Lehmann should ease some of the batting pressure, while Ben Mayes’ emergence is one to keep a close eye on – especially after a run-filled winter at the Under 19 World Cup.
Aiming to catch the Test selectors’ eye: Sonny Baker. His international debuts last summer might have been ones to forget but his first injury-free Rothesay County Championship season should be deemed a success. His pace speaks for itself, but he is picking up skills and smarts all the time. He is a knowledge sponge, and having Kyle Abbott nearby will only fast-track his development.
Final thought: From early-season overseas chaos to points deductions, and double white ball final heartache to almost relegation – but for Durham’s catastrophic final day Hampshire would be in Division Two. 2025 was a year to forget. Simply, 2026 has to be better. The talent is in the squad, but they lack the experience and reliability to be considered title challengers. Improving home form, where they won once last year on largely lifeless pitches, must be a priority.
LEICESTERSHIRE
Captain: Ian Holland
Head coach: Alfonso Thomas
2025 finish: 1st (in Division Two, promoted)
2025 leading run-scorer: Lewis Hill (917)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Ian Holland (38)
Key winter moves: Club captain Peter Handscomb is unavailable for the season due to family commitments but has re-signed until 2027 in a show of faith. Stephen Eskinazi (Middlesex) and Jonny Tattersall (Yorkshire) were added to the batting resources last season. Somerset all-rounder Ben Green moves permanently after several loan spells, to be joined by Taunton colleague Josh Davey. Restrictions imposed by Cricket South Africa scuppered the signing of left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, although the loss is softened by the recruitment of New Zealand left-armer Ajaz Patel.
What can we expect?: Pace bowling prospect Alex Green was a sensation in last season’s Metro Bank One Day Cup, when his 18 wickets included three five-fors. Genuinely quick, and 6ft 7ins tall, the 19-year-old academy graduate impressed again in the winter, taking wickets during England’s run to the Under-19 World Cup final. He will be pushing for inclusion in the red-ball side.
Aiming to catch the Test selectors’ eye: After an exceptional county summer that brought five hundreds in 16 Rothesay County Championship innings, not to mention 13 wickets in a match against Derbyshire, it baffled many judges that leg-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed was not part of England’s Ashes squad. If he can maintain that form against Division One opponents, the 21-year-old’s case will surely be irresistible.
Final thought: Leicestershire, who finished bottom of Division Two as recently as 2022, romped to the 2025 title to end a 22-year exile from Division One. Staying there will be tough, given that historically one in three promoted teams are relegated after just one season, and almost half within two. With Chris Wright retired and Logan Van Beek joining Yorkshire, the pace attack needs Josh Hull to mature into a consistent spearhead but the Foxes will fight for every point.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Captain: Haseeb Hameed
Head coach: Peter Moores
2025 finish: 1st
2025 leading run-scorer: Haseeb Hameed (1,258)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Brett Hutton (38)
Key winter moves: The loss of Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas to Derbyshire was an unexpected blow. ln his place, Mohammad Ali, another experienced Pakistan quick, is set to play in the last six Rothesay County Championship rounds; Australian seamer Fergus O’Neill, who took 21 wickets in four appearances at the start of 2025, could play in the first eight. The impressive South African wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne returns and the early availability of England’s Ben Duckett after cancelling his IPL deal is a real boost.
What can we expect?: The battle to be the county’s No 1 spinner. After his sensational end to the 2024 season, teenage off-spinner Farhan Ahmed was in pole position last April before Liam Patterson-White, the left-armer whose career had lost direction a little, was handed a recall and subsequently made himself impossible to leave out. Leg-spinner Calvin Harrison has moved to Northamptonshire but another left-armer, Joe Pocklington, who impressed in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, adds to the competition.
Aiming to catch the Test selectors’ eye: Haseeb Hameed has had a fragmented international career so far but after 2,349 first-class runs at 58.72 over the last two seasons, including seven centuries, three of them doubles, two carrying his bat, he’s surely worth another look. A pretty good player when last selected, he remains technically sound but scores at a markedly quicker tempo.
Final thought: After two seasons nearer the bottom of the Division One table than the top, Nottinghamshire’s dethroning of Surrey still seemed a slightly fanciful notion until it happened, thanks to Josh Tongue spearheading a brilliant win at the Kia Oval in the penultimate round. Tongue may not be around often this year and it would be a good moment for Dillon Pennington to realise his full potential. Defending their title will not be easy, but confidence is high.
SURREY
Captain: Rory Burns
Head coach: Gareth Batty
2025 finish: 2nd
2025 highest run-scorer: Dom Sibley (1,274)
2025 highest wicket-taker: Dan Worrall (32)
Key winter moves: Experienced Australian all-rounder Sean Abbott has rejoined for a fourth spell at the club. Abbott, who turned 34 at the end of February and has 58 white-ball international caps, also played for Surrey in 2021, 2023 and 2024. Head coach Gareth Batty says Abbott, available for all cricket until the end of July, provides both on-field and off-field leadership. Surrey have also brought in India leg-spinner Rahul Chahar for the final eight games of the season. Chahar took 10 wickets on Surrey debut in last September’s win at Hampshire. His 8/51 is the best first-class bowling figures by a debutant for the club, breaking William Mudie’s 166-year-old record when he took 7/61 in 1859.
What can we expect?: Surrey are on something of a quest this summer, having been pipped to the Rothesay County Championship title by Nottinghamshire last September. Although frustrated at being beaten by just 20 runs by Notts in what was in effect a title-decider at the Kia Oval in the penultimate round of matches, Surrey’s players and management accept they were not quite at their best last year in a bid for a fourth successive title. They are particularly relishing taking on Notts twice this season.
Aiming to catch Test selectors’ eye: Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson all start the season with much to prove after underwhelming performances in last winter’s Ashes series, but could both Dom Sibley and Dan Lawrence come again at England level?
Final thought: Alec Stewart’s return full-time last autumn to the director of cricket role he has held with such distinction at Surrey since 2013 – apart from an 18-month step-back to care for his late wife Lynn, who sadly lost a brave fight against cancer early last summer – has been welcomed by all at the Kia Oval. Players and staff know Stewart will provide the same fierce attention to detail and ‘overview’ leadership that helped to guide Rory Burns’ team to four championships between 2018 and 2024. Can they make it five titles in nine summers?
SUSSEX
Captain: Ollie Robinson
Head coach: Paul Farbrace
2025 finish: 4th
2025 highest run-scorer: John Simpson (1,086 runs)
2025 highest wicket-taker: Ollie Robinson (39 wickets)
Key winter moves: Sussex added three red-ball players to their Rothesay County Championship squad and have given themselves more options in two key areas: the top order and the all-rounder slot. Jack Leaning is back working with Paul Farbrace, the coach who knows him best, while Tom Price is a genuine all-rounder who will relish the step up to Division One. Seamer Dom Goodman has followed Price from Gloucestershire and will offer good back-up to Ollie Robinson and the other quicks.
What can we expect?: James Coles is likely to get the chance to showcase his undoubted talent in the top four and it’s unlikely to faze him. Can the experienced Jack Leaning rediscoverer his best form after linking up with Farbrace again and how will Ollie Robinson, who now has the twin responsibilities of leading the seam attack and captaining the team, handle the extra responsibility? Tom Price adds beef to an already strong lower-middle order and is a potential match-changer with bat and ball.
Aiming to catch Test selectors’ eye: If Coles makes his England debut this summer it’s likely to be in one-day cricket after he picked up a £390k contract at The Hundred. But the 21-year-old has all the skills to develop into a Test batter too. He scored four centuries last season – his first in Division One – and is capable of kicking on this summer.
Final thought: Sussex start the season with a 12-point deduction for financial misdemeanours, but Farbrace thinks his squad is strong enough to be considered title challengers. Although opener Daniel Hughes is back from Australia, there will be no overseas bowler until Jaydev Unadkat arrives in June and that might stretch bowling resources in the first half of the season. But if they can keep their key players fit and utilise the squad depth, Sussex can improve on last season’s fourth place.
WARWICKSHIRE
Captain: Ed Barnard
Head coach: Ian Westwood
2025 finish: 5th
2025 highest run-scorer: Ed Barnard (922)
2025 highest wicket-taker: Ethan Bamber (43)
Key winter moves: Warwickshire have acted decisively to strengthen a senior seam-bowling department which has leaned far too heavily on the excellent Olly Hannon-Dalby for too long. Jordan Thompson has arrived from Yorkshire, Nathan Gilchrist from Kent and Keith Barker is back from Hampshire. With Chris Woakes having retired from international cricket, the pace attack has an appealing depth, allowing for rotation to help keep all its members fit.
What can we expect?: The Edgbaston faithful are looking forward to seeing Chris Woakes back in the Bears fold – the all-rounder has played just 12 Rothesay County Championship matches in the last nine seasons. Woakes’ appetite for the game remains high and he is hungry to make a big contribution to his beloved county. Seeing Woakes and Barker running in will evoke memories of 2012 glory!
Aiming to catch Test selectors’ eye: Ed Barnard – the all-rounder has hugely impressed in all departments since moving across from Worcestershire and more of the same must surely be rewarded with a call-up. He was also appointed captain just before the start of the season.
Final thought: Warwickshire’s squad enters the 2026 season in better shape than for several years. After all the recent transition, fifth in the Championship in 2025 was a decent effort in Ian Westwood’s first year as head coach. With some stability and experience in the ranks, and the transformed seam attack, his second could bring a serious challenge for honours.
YORKSHIRE
Captain: Jonny Bairstow
Head coach: Anthony McGrath
2025 finish: 7th
2025 leading run-scorer: Adam Lyth (1,173)
2025 leading wicket-taker: George Hill (51)
Key winter moves: Australia Test quick Jhye Richardson’s signing for April and May – potentially into June – has turned heads, while his Western Australia captain Sam Whiteman has penned a three-year all-format contract. Batter-keeper Whiteman, Doncaster-born, is local-qualified. Seam-bowling all-rounders Logan van Beek and Will Sutherland join Richardson as early-summer overseas signings. The returning Sutherland is only available for two June matches alongside his Blast commitments. Dawid Malan, Matt Milnes, Jonny Tattersall and Jordan Thompson have departed.
What can we expect?: Yorkshire, promoted in 2024, consolidated their Division One status last summer. After a slow start, three of their four wins came during the last seven matches, taking as many points as champions Nottinghamshire in that period. Now, it’s about pushing on to challenge the likes of Notts and Surrey over the full distance. They certainly have the firepower under captain Jonny Bairstow, with emerging talent such as George Hill, Will Luxton, Matthew Revis and James Wharton developing impressively.
Aiming to catch Test selectors’ eye: Top-order batter James Wharton, 25, recently earned his maiden Lions call-up on the curtailed Abu Dhabi trip. He has totalled 1,533 runs in 23 Rothesay County Championship matches across the last two seasons, including 2024 scores of 188 and 275. He contributed seven Division One half-centuries last season. An improved conversion rate could do wonders for him.
Final thought: A key factor in Yorkshire’s drive for success is always England availability. If Harry Brook and/or Joe Root can parachute in and rack up the runs ahead of the international summer beginning, then that could set the county on the right track for a first four-day title since 2015. That’s certainly the aim for coach Anthony McGrath, who tasted similar success in his Essex days.
