DIVISION ONE
Surrey appear well positioned to reclaim the County Championship title following their runner-up finish last season, while Lancashire's focus remains on securing promotion.
Essex
Captain: Tom Westley
Coach: Chris Silverwood
Last season: 6th Div One
Essex experienced challenges last summer, particularly with their bowling resources stretched. Sam Cook faced injury setbacks and commitments with England, while Simon Harmer's impact was less dominant than in previous years. To strengthen the squad, Essex made strategic signings including the quick Zaman Akhter from Gloucestershire and young Mitchell Killeen from Durham, providing cover for Cook and the dependable Jamie Porter. Jordan Cox will miss the early part of the season due to IPL commitments, giving young Charlie Allison an opportunity to build on his impressive 2025 season.
Prediction: 6th
Glamorgan
Captain: Kiran Carlson
Coach: Richard Dawson
Last season: 2nd Div Two
After two decades in Division Two, Glamorgan have returned to the top tier. Captain Carlson expresses confidence in his youthful squad despite the absence of Sam Northeast, who leaves a significant gap in the batting lineup. Ben Kellaway and Asa Tribe had breakthrough seasons last year, with Tribe notably scoring a century against Australia A during the winter. Maintaining this form in Division One will be challenging. Australian Ryan Hadley will participate in the first six Championship matches. James Harris has retired, and the team will be without Marnus Labuschagne this season.
Prediction: 8th
Hampshire
Captain: Ben Brown
Coach: Russell Domingo
Last season: 8th Div One
Hampshire narrowly avoided relegation due to Durham's late-season collapse. Entering 2026, the team seeks stability under new coach Domingo, who replaces long-serving Adi Birrell. The squad blends emerging talent with experienced players. South Australia's Jake Lehmann, son of Darren Lehmann, has signed a two-year contract to strengthen the batting lineup. South African all-rounder Codi Yusuf joins as a last-minute replacement for Jayden Seales, who was denied a No Objection Certificate by Trinidad and Tobago. Seales had himself replaced Michael Neser, withdrawn by Cricket Australia. Veteran Kyle Abbott, aged 38, continues to contribute, while young players Sonny Baker and John Turner are poised for opportunities.
Prediction: 7th
Leicestershire
Captain: Ian Holland (first six games)
Coach: Alfonso Thomas
Last season: 1st Div Two
Leicestershire began last spring strongly, winning five of their first seven matches and securing promotion with two games remaining. The upcoming season presents greater challenges, especially following the late withdrawal of Peter Handscomb, which is a significant setback. However, Ashes debutant Jake Weatherald will join early in the season. The squad is well-drilled and strengthened by Stephen Eskinazi, Jonny Tattersall, Josh Davey, and Ben Green, who has made Grace Road his permanent base. Rehan Ahmed will be expected to replicate his outstanding performances from last year.
Ajaz Patel has been signed as a late replacement for Keshav Maharaj.
Prediction: 10th
Nottinghamshire
Captain: Haseeb Hameed
Coach: Peter Moores
Last season: 1st Div One
Nottinghamshire impressed last season, notably delivering a significant upset against Surrey at the Oval in the penultimate game. Josh Tongue, the match-winner on that day, has earned a central contract, and Dillon Pennington remains a key prospect. The fast-bowling department is further strengthened by the return of Fergus O’Neill for the first half of the summer and Pakistan’s Mohammad Ali for the latter half. Captain Hameed will need to contribute consistently with the bat, while the returns of Kyle Verreynne and Ben Duckett, who declined an IPL contract, provide a substantial boost. Liam Patterson-White and Farhan Ahmed are also in contention for selection.
Prediction: 3rd
Somerset
Captain: Lewis Gregory
Coach: Jason Kerr
Last season: 3rd Div One
Somerset have been contenders near the top of the Championship for several seasons, with a strong emphasis on red-ball cricket. Their young batsmen, including the Rew brothers—both of whom spent the winter with the Lions—Josh Thomas, and Archie Vaughan, now combine talent with valuable experience. Toms Banton and Lammonby found form in 2025. The familiar core includes Craig Overton and captain Gregory leading the seam attack, with Jack Leach and Vaughan forming the spin partnership. Migael Pretorius returns to fill the overseas player slot. This season could represent a peak before some players receive England call-ups.
Prediction: 2nd
Surrey
Captain: Rory Burns
Coach: Gareth Batty
Last season: 2nd Div One
Alec Stewart has returned to his role at the Oval, where Surrey, last year’s runners-up, aim to reclaim the title. The challenging Ashes winter means Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith must perform early in the season to secure their England positions. The emergence of Jacob Bethell adds depth, while Ollie Pope is expected to channel his frustrations into strong performances across Division One. Sean Abbott returns for his fourth stint, and Rahul Chahar, who took 10 wickets against Hampshire in his only match last September, will participate in the final eight games. These factors contribute to the high attendance, with over 80,000 spectators at the Oval last year.
Prediction: 1st
Sussex
Captain: Ollie Robinson
Coach: Paul Farbrace
Last season: 4th Div One
New captain Robinson aims to take 50 wickets and regain his England place, but Sussex face significant challenges. The club entered administration early this year due to financial mismanagement and begins the season with a 12-point deduction. They have secured two strong overseas players in Daniel Hughes and Jaydev Unadkat, but any further signings require ECB approval. Agents are actively pursuing the club’s promising young talents. All-rounder James Coles, who was the subject of intense bidding in the Hundred, is among those with much to prove. Veteran players Tom Haines and John Simpson continue to contribute.
Prediction: 9th
Warwickshire
Captain: Ed Barnard
Coach: Ian Westwood
Last season: 5th Div One
Following a career-best season in 2025, Barnard assumes captaincy from Alex Davies. He benefits from the experience of Chris Woakes, who is available to play a full season at Edgbaston for the first time in several years. The bowling attack is further strengthened by the return of Keith Barker for a final season, Jordan Thompson from Yorkshire, Kent’s Nathan Gilchrist, and the all-round skills of Beau Webster for the first half of the season. With a healthy bowling lineup, Warwickshire’s focus is on improving batting contributions beyond the heavy reliance on Sam Hain and Barnard last year.
Prediction: 4th
Yorkshire
Captain: Jonny Bairstow
Coach: Anthony McGrath
Last season: 7th Div One
Yorkshire managed to maintain their Division One status last year, albeit with difficulty. The squad has been bolstered over the winter by the addition of Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson for the first six Championship matches, Netherlands all-rounder Logan van Beek for the first eight, and left-handed Western Australia batsman Sam Whiteman, who holds a British passport, for the summer at Headingley. Alongside George Hill and Jack White, the bowling unit appears robust. Young batsmen Matthew Revis and James Wharton are notable prospects. Joe Root is expected to bring his experience to the early season fixtures.
Prediction: 5th
DIVISION TWO
Derbyshire
Captain: Wayne Madsen
Coach: Mickey Arthur
Last season: 3rd Div Two
Derbyshire improved significantly from eighth to third place last year. Coach Arthur has enhanced the squad during the winter, including the acquisition of Mohammad Abbas, a high-caliber bowler who joined after winning the Championship with Nottinghamshire. Shoaib Bashir has an opportunity to revive his career at the County Ground, an unexpected development a year ago. Caleb Jewell returns after scoring over 1,000 runs last season, and captain Madsen, who also surpassed 1,000 runs in 2025, continues in a veteran leadership role alongside Jimmy Anderson.
Prediction: 3rd
Durham
Captain: Alex Lees
Coach: Ryan Campbell
Last season: 9th Div One
Durham’s critical error on the final day of last season resulted in relegation to Division Two. The squad remains talented but must regain form, with hopes pinned on David Bedingham to quickly find his best form. The signing of Surrey’s Kemar Roach for the first half of the season adds professionalism and star quality. Former player and coach Dale Benkenstein returns as batting coach, bringing valuable experience.
Prediction: 2nd
Gloucestershire
Captain: Cameron Bancroft
Coach: Mark Alleyne
Last season: 6th Div Two
Gloucestershire faced a significant loss of six seam bowlers at the end of last season. To address this, Will Williams, a dependable professional from Lancashire, has joined and may be required to bowl extensively. Australian Gabe Bell, standing 6ft 4in, will support the attack for the first six games, potentially adding bounce and aggression at Nevil Road. The batting lineup remains relatively strong with Bancroft returning alongside Miles Hammond, Ben Charlesworth, Ollie Price, and James Bracey. Ed Joyce serves as a batting consultant.
Prediction: 8th
Kent
Captain: Daniel Bell-Drummond
Coach: Adam Hollioake
Last season: 8th Div Two
Coach Hollioake’s initial priority is to maintain squad fitness following a difficult finish last September. Keith Dudgeon, who impressed with seven wickets for 36 on debut before a knee injury, has returned. All-rounder Senuran Muthusamy and fast bowler Glenton Stuurman will share the season. Following former director Rob Key’s comments regarding accountability for poor performance, attention centers on Zak Crawley. The batting lineup is bolstered by the return of Sam Northeast.
Prediction: 7th
Lancashire
Captain: Jimmy Anderson
Coach: Steven Croft
Last season: 5th Div Two
Old Trafford has experienced turmoil with multiple Special General Meetings ahead of the season. Despite this, the playing squad remains relatively stable under the leadership of Croft and Anderson, who will turn 44 in July and was instrumental in reversing Lancashire’s fortunes last year. The prolific Marcus Harris arrives from Australia, although fast bowler Mitch Perry withdrew at the last minute. The squad is further strengthened by Ajeet Singh Dale, and Rocky Flintoff is finally fit. Following a disappointing previous season, promotion is the primary objective.
Prediction: 1st
Middlesex
Captain: Leus du Plooy
Coach: Peter Fulton
Last season: 4th Div Two
Middlesex continue to face ongoing challenges, including financial difficulties, absence of a chief executive, lack of recruitment, and no overseas player. Nonetheless, the team benefits from the resilience of Toby Roland-Jones, who remains the spearhead of the attack, supported by Ryan Higgins and Zafar Gohar. Promising young players are emerging, such as all-rounder Caleb Falconer and seamer Sebastian Morgan, both participants in the U19 World Cup, as well as left-arm bowler Noah Cornwell. New coach Fulton, recommended by Kane Williamson, faces an intriguing task.
Prediction: 4th
Northamptonshire
Captain: Luke Procter
Coach: Darren Lehmann
Last season: 7th Div Two
Northamptonshire may be on an upward trajectory. New recruit and Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney impressed with an unbeaten 226 against the Lions during the winter. He joins Harry Conway and Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in the overseas slots. Much depends on Calvin Harrison, whose loan from Trent Bridge has become permanent, and Saif Zaib, both of whom had strong 2025 seasons. Attention also focuses on Stuart van der Merwe, who scored a century on his first-class debut.
Prediction: 6th
Worcestershire
Captain: Brett D’Oliveira
Coach: Alan Richardson
Last season: 10th Div One
Supporting Worcestershire has been challenging, akin to being stuck in a malfunctioning elevator, as they once again pursue promotion. Jake Libby remains the key batsman, having scored over 1,000 runs last year on the unpredictable pitches at New Road. The ground staff have addressed six floods over the winter, hoping for favorable conditions for the first home game scheduled for 24 April. Seamer Beyers Swanepoel arrives from South Africa to support Tom Taylor, last season’s leading wicket-taker.
Prediction: 5th
